Olive me green!

[NIKON KIU]

There are master craftsmen in Japan who are very busy, they are painting old classic Nikon cameras Olive Green, I have seen a few already, I believe there are many many more. There are multiple craftsmen doing it.
Examples from Ebay:

http://stores.ebay.com/bookcamerashop?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

http://stores.ebay.com/JP-N-Camera?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

As you can see multiple camera shops in Japan offer them.

Now, I am not the one who titled them master craftsman, book camera shop (the seller of the first three camera) referred to their connection that way. this when I asked if these were repainted in this special color.

I am thinking this is a good topic for conversation, so I ask a couple of questions, answer if you want to get involved. it could be a lengthy answer, or just a couple of yes and no

1) Is the Craftsman doing a good job?
2) Does this add value to the camera?

If I get enough replies, around 10, I'll post my own answers.

Kiu

 

[markwatts]

Oh no! This means my Nikon cameras are so 'last year'.

Surely only time will tell if the workmanship is good? Is it good to do the job?
I think it cheapens the product but the next person will love them.

Are they selling? Presumably yes if they are being created in numbers. In which case, I know nothing....

 

[Spicy]

gross. 10cha

 

[Paulbe]

They do look nice, but how can repainting an old camera add to its value? Especially if most know they were not green to begin with...
Oh well--buy them if you like them...
Paul

 

[leica M2 fan]

They all look very nice but I can't see painting my chrome & black S2 that's been with me since about 1965 this or any other color.

 

[unixrevolution]

They look lovely, but I don't think it'll add to the value except to just the right person.

Unfortunately that person is probably me, and I already have an Olive Green Bessa R2 and a Green-leather-on-chrome Leica M2. Full up, sorry!

 

[jonmanjiro]

1. Is this craftsman doing a good job?

Its multiple craftsmen of course, and of the repaints I've seen in the flesh, most are pretty average. Flashy product shots are meant to make the product look in better condition than it actually is 😉

2. Does this add value to the camera?

Nope. Probably makes the camera harder to sell, and for less money, if anything. I mean, how many people out there want an olive green Nikon SP over a standard chrome SP?

Olive drab has got to be one of the ugliest colours to paint a camera (IMHO of course 😀). I much prefer olives of the edible variety!

 

[BillBingham2]

I would be concerned about how the "Master Paint Job" would wear. To me I would classify it as a master level of work after a few years. Lots of folks can make it look nice after they are done.

B2 (;->

 

[papaki]

Nice painting, I like it!
(as long as it is not on my cameras...)

 

[B-9]

I love olive drab cameras!

Wish I could have an Olive SP or Leica M3.

But, I already have a a nice old chrome SP with no urge to own another rangefinder.

Any clue what the going rate is for a paint job like this?

 

[mpaniagua]

Add value to the camera? Like it been said,only to the right person. Lots of people like black cameras so there is more demand for them and so. I myself dont dislike the color but would hardly pay a premium to get a green M6 over a silver M6. That been said, I really like my Olive Bessa R2. ☺

 

[Dan]

Lots of folks can make it look nice after they are done.

B2 (;->

+1 yabba dabba

 

[kbg32]

Hmmm, I just checked my closet. While these certainly are pretty in their own way, I have nothing that goes well with olive drab. Maybe my Merrell lightweight hikers. Still, not worth the expense. I never go on safari anyway. Chrome or black seem to go with everything.

 

[MikeChong]

Always hard to tell if the craftsman has done a quality job on a rebuild and repaint on a camera just looking at pictures. I trust only a few out there, namely Kanto. The best there is but at a premium. But regardless of how much you paid up front, you'll always loose some cash on a resale. For me, I like the olive repaints, if Kanto did it!

Olive doesn't appeal to the masses, like black paint does. I would consider a re-paint in olive, but it would be something to just collect and have.

 

[mpaniagua]

Aestetics aside,is a shame though,Nikon SP are kinda expensive and collectible and I dont think this will do any good to its collectible price.

 

[Frontman]

I have now seen a couple eye-level F2 bodies for sale in olive green, and better yet, they have the word "Olive" engraved on the front, right side of the top cover, like "Titan" on the titanium F2. On the positive side, they cost less than a F2 Titan.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Green F2

Green F2

You mean kind of like this?

Borrowed from this page:
http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Nikon_spigolature/00_pag.htm

There is also an Italian craftsman...

Kiu

 

[benmacphoto]

I do like the look on certain cameras.
Leica M's are usually done well.
That F2 does not look as nice, the leather looks sloppy.
I do not think it adds to the cameras value, but doesn't hurt it either.
Just makes them unique.

 

[Jonathan]

Nikon F2

Nikon F2

That F2
WHY!!
To me it is like a fake tan

 

[Mackinaw]

That F2 looks hideous.

As to whether an olive-drab finish will increase a camera’s value, I suspect not, at least one done by a third-party, no matter how professional the repaint job may look. On the other hand, a factory, olive-drab finish Nikon rangefinder would probably be worth a small fortune.

Jim B.