Cameraleather.com experience

This is somewhat off topic for the thread, but have any of you made your own covering? I shot a 7 timber rattler in my backyard a couple years ago. I don't mind snakes but I have animals and had to get rid of this one. I cleaned it and saved the meat and skin, I still have the skin hanging in my barn and I think it would make awesome camera leather. Much cooler than imitation snakeskin and I have a story to go with it. It's very thin, I figure if I could find templates I could cut it and apply with rubber cement.
 
DCphotos said:
This is somewhat off topic for the thread, but have any of you made your own covering? I shot a 7 timber rattler in my backyard a couple years ago. I don't mind snakes but I have animals and had to get rid of this one. I cleaned it and saved the meat and skin, I still have the skin hanging in my barn and I think it would make awesome camera leather. Much cooler than imitation snakeskin and I have a story to go with it. It's very thin, I figure if I could find templates I could cut it and apply with rubber cement.
Click to expand...

I did this with an old Minolta SRT that I used to have. I scavenged some real snake skin off a purse from a local goodwill store. I used the old cover as a template and then used rubber cement to attach. In hind site I should have found some sort of substrate to put the snake skin on first. The skin alone was really thin. When holding the camera, there was quite a ridge when the skin met an edge.

Over all, it was easy and looked pretty cool.
 
DCphotos said:
This is somewhat off topic for the thread, but have any of you made your own covering? I shot a 7 timber rattler in my backyard a couple years ago. I don't mind snakes but I have animals and had to get rid of this one. I cleaned it and saved the meat and skin, I still have the skin hanging in my barn and I think it would make awesome camera leather. Much cooler than imitation snakeskin and I have a story to go with it. It's very thin, I figure if I could find templates I could cut it and apply with rubber cement.
Click to expand...


'Don't know about snakeskin for cameras, but expect it to be the same as for boots. You gotta glue it to a thin calfskin backing first. It's too thin/ delicate for any use by itself. You also have to use a lot of conditioner on it to keep it soft and to keep the scales from falling off.
 
My 28Ti is here and absolutely lovely in it's new blue suit.


Bill58 said:
You also have to use a lot of conditioner on it to keep it soft and to keep the scales from falling off.
Click to expand...

I had an M5 with snakeskin covering from Morgan. It was lovely, fine scales, and held up very well over the five years I used it.
 
mixed bag here too; in the past, i have been very happy with this company, i ordered covers for several cameras, always shipped relatively fast, excellent quality.

however, this last july, i placed an order for a special color leatherette for the M8 (i checked with him first to ensure availability of the material), placed my order, sent my payment ... and then NOTHING.

i emailed MANY times asking for at least some information, NO REPLY. I asked for a refund, NEVER RECEIVED that either.

after months of begging for an answer i have basically given up on hoping to ever see my cover (which i no longer need, since i just sold that camera!), nor my money.
 
stefano60 said:
after months of begging for an answer i have basically given up on hoping to ever see my cover (which i no longer need, since i just sold that camera!), nor my money.
Click to expand...

Good reason to pay with Paypal.

I've just raised a dispute with Paypal as I've not had any confirmation of order or any indication when I'll get it and no reply to my emails.

I've used Morgan in the past and, although it's taken a few weeks to receive the order, it's always turned up in the end. But this time - nothing.
 
I was going to order the slate blue goat skin for my M2 yesterday and I have changed my mind...Aki seems like a good alternative choice. Just for information, aki doesn't offer #4034 (LTM vulcanite) any more because the leather factory has shut down their production. I ordered #4008 instead, looking forward to it.
 
I've trusted Morgan for years but never again. He still owes me a snake skin for my m9 that I paid for in November 2011. He has not responded to my emails. I got on well with him and love his products but no longer trust him.

Buyer beware.
 
updated information

updated information

stefano60 said:
mixed bag here too; in the past, i have been very happy with this company, i ordered covers for several cameras, always shipped relatively fast, excellent quality.

however, this last july, i placed an order for a special color leatherette for the M8 (i checked with him first to ensure availability of the material), placed my order, sent my payment ... and then NOTHING.

i emailed MANY times asking for at least some information, NO REPLY. I asked for a refund, NEVER RECEIVED that either.

after months of begging for an answer i have basically given up on hoping to ever see my cover (which i no longer need, since i just sold that camera!), nor my money.
Click to expand...

---------

i am glad to report that there is a happy ending to my saga; it appears that cameraleather has had some technical issues with their email system in the last few months, which would explain the lack of response to all my emails (and many other people, evidently!).

Morgan emailed me today apologizing for the delay and informing me that he is not only shipping the cover, but also refunding my payment.

given the excellent service i always had before, and the quality of his product, i will definitely keep buying from him.
 
aki-asahi is very good however their cuts are not as good as Morgan. The leathers I ordered fit very tightly on the cameras (all leica Ms). They don't have as many selection as Cameraleather either. Service is top notch from aki-asahi.
 
I've use both on many occasions, and as much as I love Morgan and his product, I find that his stuff doesnt fit as perfectly as Rikuo's. Though Ive never used any of Rikuo's die cut skins. Ive only used the laser cut stuff, which have been spot on perfect. With Morgan's I find that a lot of times, Ive had to either cut edges down to fit, or have had to ask him for replacement pieces. Which he is more then happy to do. And it only takes a few seconds for cutting, so no biggie.

I think they're both wonderful, and both have their place in their craft. Like most have said, if you want something really special and dont mind waiting, go to Cameraleather, if you need something simple and fast, wood veneer, or for modern cameras, Aki-Asahi.

fbf said:
aki-asahi is very good however their cuts are not as good as Morgan. The leathers I ordered fit very tightly on the cameras (all leica Ms). They don't have as many selection as Cameraleather either. Service is top notch from aki-asahi.
Click to expand...
 
I don't wish to be overly pessimistic but the problems have been ongoing for more than a few months and he has given the "unreliable email" excuse in the past. I hope you eventually get your skin, but for me, never again.
 
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