Changing leather skin on RF

[pikapig]

Was thinking of changing the skin on my Bessa R.

Anyone knows locally if there are any shops that provide this services?
From what i have google, it seems like Aki Asahi and Cameraleatherette sells the skins. But u will have to DIY.

 

[rizraz]

Hi,

not sure about anybody who offered the service in Singapore.

but I have DIY with cameraleather skins, I followed the almost step by step guide and am satisfied with the result. Only problem is I heard he has a backlog of orders.......

 

[pikapig]

Ya i heard about it too...my email to him was like 2 days already and no one replied me, so im hesitant about buying and paying for the skin...

by e way, you will have to remove the original skin off the camera yourself first rite? How do you do it?

 

[rizraz]

I think the Bessa R has a metal body..... like my M2, but am not sure if the original skin similar.

I use a paint/varnish/stain remover (the paste or semi paste type), use my daughter's old paint brush. brush it evenly and making sure it doesn't hit the metal...... leave it a while, it will blister. then I use a wood scraper to just peel it off.....

 

[pikapig]

I think the Bessa R has a metal body..... like my M2, but am not sure if the original skin similar.

I use a paint/varnish/stain remover (the paste or semi paste type), use my daughter's old paint brush. brush it evenly and making sure it doesn't hit the metal...... leave it a while, it will blister. then I use a wood scraper to just peel it off.....

I think its much more a plastic feel on bessa R..M2 is much nicer...and guess its quite a cheap one which i would like to diy...i might just order one from camera leatherette to try...thanks for the tips!

 

[newghost]

I was just thinking of doing this on my canon P the other day... hmmmmm

 

[pikapig]

I was tempted by this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phlatphrog/2137836398/

 

[newghost]

I was tempted by this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phlatphrog/2137836398/

That's pretty... much much nicer than the original skin!

Though the original skin gives a good grip, its always prone to sweat marks etc

 

[makebelieve]

hahaha, they are quite slow in replying email. bought from them the kid skin took 1 week to process and another week to send(if you pay the $29 postage)
and for the DIY, its quite easy

 

[artspraken]

Idiot proof method.

Buy isopropryl alchohol from watsons. Cost 3 dollars.

Apply to camera body before application of leatherette.

Before alchohol dries, u can easily adjust.

 

[pikapig]

hahaha, they are quite slow in replying email. bought from them the kid skin took 1 week to process and another week to send(if you pay the $29 postage)
and for the DIY, its quite easy

Just received my parcel...but didnt have time to open it..let me go back n check de condition of the bessa R..before placing order...

Postage so exp? i saw the Natural Grain Kid leather, quite keen to get one from there but cost like USD 44, think might get something cheaper..

removal of the original leather is my concern

 

[pikapig]

Got it and its working well...just left the meter to test tomo morning...
by e way, notice its quite rubbery..can it be strip off the camera? or is the leatherette going to paste over it?

 

[blacvios]

Ever changed my old flaking bessa r skin at chiffs place, a very sticky mess. Don't use too much alcohol as bessa r is plastic top and bottom so paint will fade if alcohol accidentally comes in contact during removal. If the condition not too bad just dry and going to flak off just apply a thin layer of j n j baby oil

 

[pikapig]

Blacvios, thanks, by e way i notice that the skin is on the front..the back is the rubber...skin is only for the front or even for the back?

 

[blacvios]

Bro the front 2 pcs is skin made of rubber (It will age gracefully with the right amount of oil and look and feel like leather). The back cover actually have to be replaced totally which i did for one of my bessa R, it cost $60 from chiff's

 

[pikapig]

Bro the front 2 pcs is skin made of rubber (It will age gracefully with the right amount of oil and look and feel like leather). The back cover actually have to be replaced totally which i did for one of my bessa R, it cost $60 from chiff's

Okay..now i know my options..thanks bro.
Now i got to consider whether i shld just leave it as it is..and don try to be itchy handed...this camera felt so light compared to my r2a...but let me try a full mechanic camera and see i like it enough to upgrade further!

 

[blacvios]

Okay..now i know my options..thanks bro.
Now i got to consider whether i shld just leave it as it is..and don try to be itchy handed...this camera felt so light compared to my r2a...but let me try a full mechanic camera and see i like it enough to upgrade further!

Bessa R looks and feels plasticky but it has a great VF, metering ltm mount camera.

 

[pikapig]

I totally agree!

 

[dtohs]

I ordered a leather kit from cameraleather since mid mar 2011, no sound no pic till now.. email him but no reply..
I DIY my previous kit on M8, easy job, the skin removal was a killer though.

 

[newghost]

Bessa R looks and feels plasticky but it has a great VF, metering ltm mount camera.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: