Camera leather now supprt R-D1

Hi John...

I'm actually just sending out my M2 to Morgan Sparks
She will be clothed in Dark Grey Lizard
(hard call though wanted the dark brown but they were out and offered a dark Brown Paradise Snake which sounds quite posh)

can't wait to see the results
takes 4-6 days
and YES I did notice the RD1 now has the Option

Best to you & yours in the New Year- H
 
Hi Helen,

Great to hear from you. I re-skinned an OM2 and a Nikon F with leather from Morgan and was very pleased with the result.

Not quite sure what to choose for the R-D1. I'll post a pic when it's all finished. The grey lizard looks great but I've got a soft spot for the Mahogany. It all depends on what leather will cover the 'uneven' surface of the R-D1 best. Maybe the 'Iberian' embossed leather as it is pretty thick. http://www.cameraleather.com/nikonslr/

Best to you too for the New Year - hope it's a good one :)

John
 
too late.
i already cut up an old pair of leather jeans and covered it myself.
:p

heeheehee
(laughs sebastian)
 
Oh, fantastic. I think I may do this. The sticky grip is the only thing I dislike about the R-D1...somebody give it a try, eh?, and report how difficult it is.
 
I could not wait for Morgan and ended up cutting out pieces for my R-D1 from a whole black lizard skin. Covering the uneven surfaces was non-trivial, but I'm happy with the result - the feel of the body is much better.
RD1inLizard-vi.jpg
 
I hate the sticky grip, too. The OEM glue tends to ooze around the edges a bit as the camera warms up under heavy use. That's why I always shoot mine in a Luigi case. But lately I've decided the case is fine for protection, but I don't like shooting in it. Makes the camera too thick and unwieldy. So, I am going to do this to my R-D1. What does the Camera Leather kit cost and why can't you click to see it on their site?

/T
 
Tuolumne said:
I hate the sticky grip, too. The OEM glue tends to ooze around the edges a bit as the camera warms up under heavy use. That's why I always shoot mine in a Luigi case. But lately I've decided the case is fine for protection, but I don't like shooting in it. Makes the camera too thick and unwieldy. So, I am going to do this to my R-D1. What does the Camera Leather kit cost and why can't you click to see it on their site?

/T
Click to expand...

Tuolumne,

I have emailed them and are waiting for their response to price and which leather is best considering the uneven nature of the 'naked' R-D1. I imagine the cost will be less than for a film leica M as there is very little leather on the rear and a very simple cut for the front.

I have already covered two cameras in leather from them and was very impressed with their service. The Nikon F that I covered was in 'Iberian embossed' which was one of their thickest leathers so I am seriously looking at that again.

p764020905.jpg
 
I have three bodies, all with the rubber coming off!
Not bothered about the look, its just incovenient.
This idea seems like the way to go so emailed cameraleather 4 days ago with enquiry, no reply yet.
I think for handling the "griptac" or "vulcanette" is the way to go, any cooments anyone?
Just how easy/difficult is this to do?
Clive
 
I reskinned one of my M2 bodies a couple years ago with a Cameraleather "skin", the one that's supposed to look like the original vulcanite. The biggest hassle is getting down to reasonably clean metal. Putting on the new skin is a cinch. Trying to make one from a blank sheet of leather would drive me bonkers. Trying to get a perfect fit and matching up the screw holes? Forget it! Then cleaning off the oozed out glue? Easier to just get a pre-cut skin, MUCH easier. Fits to perfection.
 
Here's the reply from Morgan at Camera Leather,

'You can order any of the materials we have in stock for your Epson. The factory covering is a molded piece, and our aftermarket kit will give the camera a slightly thinner circumference. But it is not an issue, really. The new covering fits nicely inside the edges of the top and bottom plates. There is an issue with the molded back grip piece, and here is what I have been letting other RD-1 owners know about the issue:

We strongly suggest you leave the original molded part on the back. Removing it creates a condition where, if you are holding the camera with your right hand without a strap, your thumb will push up to the card slot door, and if it opens you may drop the camera. This has been observed by one of the two photographers that have been beta testing the RD-1 kit. It's enough of a concern that probably we will not offer anything for the back once the RD-1 has a real dedicated section on our site.

I'll be happy to include the 2 -piece section for the grip area on the back, as long as you understand and accept the limitation and risk in applying them. Otherwise you can just apply the front sections and not worry about it!'


Looks like I'll order soon :) What leather is the question?

Cheers - John
 
Tuolumne said:
I hate the sticky grip, too. The OEM glue tends to ooze around the edges a bit as the camera warms up under heavy use. That's why I always shoot mine in a Luigi case. But lately I've decided the case is fine for protection, but I don't like shooting in it. Makes the camera too thick and unwieldy. So, I am going to do this to my R-D1. What does the Camera Leather kit cost and why can't you click to see it on their site?

/T
Click to expand...

I totally agree. The case doesn't solve the issue. I'll give it a try.
 
Johnmcd said:
Here's the reply from Morgan at Camera Leather,


Looks like I'll order soon :) What leather is the question?

Cheers - John
Click to expand...

I have had same reply, have ordered 3X black griptac [only USD 16 a kit!] as the handling is the most important issue IMHO.

Still not v. confident at my ability to do this..............
C
 
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Bought a nice piece of Japanese 'same' (or stingray) leather a while back with the intention of giving my R-D1 a makeover. Haven't got around to it yet but I may just some day soon. Same is what they use on samurai sword handles (in other words, grip is guaranteed:)).

That said, the sheer simplicity of the cameraleather option is very tempting.

Please post the results, all!
 
anglophone1 said:
I have had same reply, have ordered 3X black griptac [only USD 16 a kit!] as the handling is the most important issue IMHO.

Still not v. confident at my ability to do this..............
C
Click to expand...

Don't worry. I've done two SLR's now and it is very easy. If worried, use the 'wet' method as shown on their website. Just take the time to prepare the camera well and remove all the old cover totally. I'm looking forward to it :)

John
 
Johnmcd said:
Don't worry. I've done two SLR's now and it is very easy. If worried, use the 'wet' method as shown on their website. Just take the time to prepare the camera well and remove all the old cover totally. I'm looking forward to it :)

John
Click to expand...

Looks like I need to track down the European equivalent of Purell Hand Sanitizer, an alcohol-based liquid very popular in the U.S. to do the "wet" method, most hand cleaners I see in France seem to be soap based, any ideas anyone?
Thanks
Clive
 
anglophone1 said:
I have had same reply, have ordered 3X black griptac [only USD 16 a kit!] as the handling is the most important issue IMHO.
Click to expand...

Same here. I don't think the slippage problem will be a problem for me, as I never hold the R-D1 in a manner that would cause it to happen. Morgan's sending me the front and back pieces, also black griptac, and I'll report here when I get them!
 
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