Personalised camera - how far would you go ?

[dee]

I ask because I am contemplating a nickel finished Kiev III . Fully CLA , with working meter as my main user .
I could use a poorish K IIIa , but have seen a Kiev III 1955 with a fabuous number - and block KNeB script which would be a perfect foil to my restored Contax III .
OK , it's not rare , it will cost a mere £ 60 before it is modified , so I am not messing with a rare Classic ... but I am somewhat uncomfortable altering a camera which could easily be used as if with a CLA .
Would you have a conscience about this ?
Thanks dee

 

[MatthewThompson]

Rare, cheap, common, expensive. Who cares?

As long as you're happy with what you end up with, the opinion of the internet at large is moot. Pretty it up and shoot your heart out.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Go for it! It's only money. I'd rather be judged by my photographs than by my cameras but to each his own.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

 

[dee]

Resale value for a humble Kiev III ? No problem ... but a Leica II or IIIC would be a different matter ... [ no way - ilove the patina ] I am tempted to do one of my 1951 Kiev II as well .
Then the madness will cease ...

 

[payasam]

Dee, I don't know if conscience comes into it. You're dealing with a thing, after all, a mass produced one. Like Al, I don't much care what my cameras look like: but if you like the look or the feel of nickel, go right ahead.

 

[dee]

Thanks everyone - maybe a nickel KNeB III number 551552 is a little OTT - but I would love a '' new '' classic camera , and the new finish , CLA in Ukraine by ex-Arsenal Techs , new leather is as close as I am going to get ... and I love the sheen of nickel . Why a K III ? I have always been fascinated by selenium meters and this is the very 1st built in meter on a 35mm camera .. that on my 1956 K IIIa still works and I is accurate enough with a little consideration ... now where is that 1951 KNeB II ...

 

[Al Kaplan]

That junkshop Minolta Autocord that I have back to functionality still looks like crap and the "Autocord" name plate on the front is missing. I guess that I'll go for a new skin from Camera Leather for $14.50, and I'm thinking that the local trophy store could make a pretty brass plate the right size and engrave "Autocord" on it. A couple drops of epoxy and I'd be in business! Then I started thinking (a bad sign!) about why not rename the camera while I'm at it? Kaplaflex? Kaplacord?

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

 

[back alley]

alcord?


.

 

[payasam]

What absurd names. Of course it must be an Alkaplamat.