>Infused with all this knowledge about rubber cement, Pliobond, etc., I guess
>it's time to replace the leatherette on my OM-1. I have to replace it because
>parts of it are missing. I've looked at Tandy leather and couldn't find
>anything suitable. I was also thinking of some non-endangered lizard or
>something. Does anyone have sources or ideas on where to obtain "leatherette"
>or other thin covering suitable for a camera body?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Warren Kato
Warren,
Fargo Enterprise >www.fargo-ent.com< sells some black or brown leatherette
suitable for cameras.
The problem with leather or leatherette from other sources (for shoes,
handbags, etc.) is that it is too thick. When glued on it will stand higher
than the ridges on the camera body and thus the edges will be damaged
quickly, besides not being attractive cosmetically. I have seen a few
executed by amateurs and they make the cameras look like clad in woollen
pajamas.
Some types of leatherette not intended for this purpose has also got the
problem, that when the glue is applied, the solvent soaks into the plastic
and makes it grow, so the laboriously cut pieces won't fit any more (until
the solvent evaporates and the glue becomes useless).
The trick is to look for THIN leather, around 0.5mm (Americans will have to
calculate their inches), most likely available from suppliers to the
clothing industry. If it is a bit thicker, you can use a coarse emery paper
to work it down from the back. It is tedious but it can be done. You then
have a choice of colours and texture, depending on the stock your supplier
keeps. I like lizard or snake texture, which is not from the real animal
(for the conservationists among you) but stamped cowhide or similar. This
texture stands up well with heavy use. I have a light-brown lizard covered
OM-1 and a wine-coloured lizard covered Nikon F3 (Zuikoholics, please,
forgive), which look very attractive. Right now I am covering a 35RC in
wine-coloured lizard, since the original leatherette has shrunk and became
stiff. Olympus seems to have used some cheap stuff back then!
To glue it on, use contact cement (I don't know the makes available in the
US), the type which has to nearly dry first, before stickimg together.
Apply a base coat on the leather and let it soak in and dry. Then apply one
on the camera and another coat on the leather and after a few minutes press
together. If there are any edges the leather has to be wrapped around,
you'll have to bend, roll and work the leather before applying the coats of
glue, to become supple and accept the curvature, as John has pointed out
already.
Hope this whets your appetite! If you want more details, email me off list.
Andras Iklody-Szabo
Caracas/Venezuela
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