How hard is it put on new clothes for a Kiev?

[Brad Bireley]

I was wondering how hard it is to put on new clothes on a Kiev?
Thanks,
Brad

 

[varjag]

If you buy ready-made clothes from cameraleather or aki asahi, not hard at all 🙂

 

[captainslack]

Or from Aki Asahi!

The problem might be getting the old clothes off. Don't know what they used to seal the old stuff on my old Kiev 4am, but it it held better than super glue!

 

[Mister_Hat]

It's not hard but it can be tedious. If you can get the old leather off intact you can use it as a template to cut the new leather. I use 2 oz. leather, which is a bit thicker than the commercial kits, and bevel the edges so the fit is flush along the edges. It takes awhile, but the final product has a cushiony feel that grips better than thinner leather coverings.

 

[Brad Bireley]

Do you have to take the camera apart to remove any of the old covering?

 

[FrankS]

You have to remove the old covering but no mechanical disassembly is required. (Removing the self timer lever would have made that area easier to work on.) I did this just last week to a Kiev 4a, with a pre-cut leather skin from Aki Asahi.

 

[fidget]

Now that I may have joined the fold (of working Kiev owners, that's the camera, not me, although I work too,....aw you know what I mean), I will soon replace the peeling plastic covering on my 75 Kiev4. I will try a DIY job to start with, although Aki's wine red job looks good. Is contact adhesive recommended? If so, can it be moved around before fixing by "wetting" the glue with white spirits? Anyone done this?
-Dave.....

 

[Xmas]

Dave

I use Pritt stick, (it is supposed to be child safe) it is difficult to get it to stick on properly, but not impossible to remove later, If you use leather remember to seal all the rivet heads first otherwise you will get 'real' Zeiss bumps...

To adjust the rangefinder you need to remove the front leather(ette).

Noel

 

[ruben]

Kiev comrades, let's be practical. The kit of Aki Asahi is fairly cheaply priced, looks very elegant, his shipment is the fastest of eBay, and the sticking auto adhesive is a kids job.

I did it to my Kiev 2a. The change is worthwhile and noticeable.

I am not commenting on Cameraleather only because I never had the opportunity of ordering one of theirs. They advertize more expensive materials but I suppose the kits should be as easy to stick as those from Aki.

Go ahead without fear !
In general the Kievs are beasts allowing you to put your hands in, and there is a tremendous internet backup for troubleshooting.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[w3rk5]

I just added new skin to my Zorki 6 cause it was falling apart. I bought a kit from Aki and it turned out great. I couldn't be happier.🙂