new M3

FrankS

FrankS

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Aug 23, 2004
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Actually it's just the cover that's new, but it makes such a big difference! Dark brown lizard embossed cowhide, $19 shipped, from Aki Asahi.
 
Frank,

The new covering is great looking and tasteful.
I'm considering ordering new covers for a Zorki 4K from the same source in Japan.

Glen
 
Thanks guys,

Paul, the old vulcanite flaked off the body no problem. I used a pocket knife blade to chip it off. The vulcanite on the back door is a different story however. I can't seem to get it started so for the time being, it's still there. I've read that heat or paint stripper can be used for tough cases. I'm going to sleep on it.
 
On Russian vulcanite I have successfully used a gel-type paint stripper. It doesn't migrate as easily into small machinery holes. It takes anywhere from 1 -3 applications and a chisel.

It's a little scarier to use that technique on a Leica.

-Paul
 
Thanks guys! Go for it, Joe. I think the classic chrome cameras deserve real leather and they do look good in natural brown.
 
Skinny, thanks, but you can take solice in the fact that you live in Florida and I live in Canada.
 
that looks great, Frank! the brown makes it a more friendly looking camera.. I might have to consider that when I get an M3 (and yeah, I think I decided on the M3 after all)
 
I want to recover the cameras that I use the most (IE the Nikon, the Canonet, and the Voigtlander) in oxblood leather. I was kind of thinking that I wanted a signature color and I really love dark, deep reds. Yours looks good, Frank. Suits the camera.
 
Frank and Paul, Vulcanite comes off a M camera easier when it is heated. It becomes more brittle. I noticed that after my M2 had been sitting in the sun for a few days. Should have avoided that, but you live and learn...

Otherwise, take the backdoor off and heat it in an oven at lowest temperature, 50 celcius should be just fine.
 
That looks very smart!
I have my FED 2 in pieces and I am stuck at a specific stage. I want to get the top off and repaint the balck portions with a more durable paint. After that I will add the new Aki Asahi covering. I'm sure the camera will need new shutter curtains too. Looks like a long haul project for me.
 
I like this dark brown colour so much, I'm going to change the light brown lizard emboss I put on my M2, to dark brown too. I think it looks classier/better. Hey, it's $19 shipped.
 
here's another version that I really like, from cameraleather.com.. but yours is probably still better, Frank

m3_EC_croc01.jpg
 
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