Thoughts on reskinning

[Archiver]

That skin looks much better on a silver chrome body. See the Neiman Marcus limited edition M9. I'm not a fan of coloured leathers on a black camera, it doesn't look right to me.

But then, why are you asking us what we think? Surely you can look at it and know whether you like it enough to keep it? If you are fine with it, just use it until/if you want to change the leather, and then choose something else you might like. Time and money saved.

As an aside, I like the idea of having one film Leica for a few decades. Has that romance of longevity, and the idea of having a physical form to your images.

 

[lukitas]

I concurr. Slightly gross. Even though I did it myself :

Real snake. Getting darker with use, matte where my fingers lay.

That said, I would use it, even if it were covered in silver duct tape.

I'll draw the line at fluorescent.

cheers.

 

[sazerac]

I say let it patina with the body. After it wears out you can get it changed.

I recently sent mine off for a loose lug strap so I took the opportunity to have a full service after 10 years of use. They had to replace the covering as part of the process but I had them use the original fine grain "sandpaper".

 

[lukitas]

Dark snakeskin with a red tinge!

 

[Bill Clark]

Yes, I had thoughts on re-skinning, thinking, what would I be, something like an alligator or maybe a turtle since some of them live a long life. But I woke up, thinking I will stay as I Am! Just kidding!

Have you checked here:

www.cameraleather.com

I bought some skins for a couple of Mamiya TLR cameras and they fit perfectly!

Cosmetics, I find, is somewhat personal to your tastes.

Hope this helps you!

 

[alfredian]

GripTac, black or grey

GripTac, black or grey

I had chrome M4 reskinned with GripTac, grey option. Cameraleather.com provided the skin, Sherry Krauter did the work (along with an eyepiece cushion). Great material, the most "useable" and grip-able surface, ever. Black & grey - does work. There is a black (dark charcoal) Griptac that is more popular. Griptac is among the least expensive materials in the Cameraleather catalog. In "real life" it is supposedly used on golf club grips and stairway treads. There it is - esthetically pleasing, practical, and reduces your slip & fall hazards all in one go.--alfredian

 

[kshapero]

Youxin Ye will reskin your Leica for $40.

 

[kshapero]

Leave the fancy leather for watch straps. Black griptac or one of Aki Asahi's traditional offerings would look very nice on you MP.

ditto here

 

[JustPlainBill]

Hi,
Unlike most of the responders, I think your MP looks pretty. Also like your idea of keeping a camera for decades. I still have my Rollei Automat MX, which I used to take fifty plus yearbook pictures more than fifty years ago, also my M4, which I bought shortly after that camera was introduced, and my M2, which I bought few years later. And my Linhof Technika III, which I bought in the late 1970s. Hope that film, paper, and chemicals continue to be available.
JustPlainBill

 

[Dez]

Griptac has a wonderful feel to it, but the black version is not quite black, but a very dark gray.
In my experience, Aki Asahi always delivers promptly; Cameraleather always delivers eventually. The nicest reskinning stuff I have worked with is Cameraleather's black kidskin leather, but you are likely to wait a long time to get it. The material from both companies is extremely easy to put on the camera.

Cheers,
Dez