Black or Chrome SLRs???

[Mark Vaughan]

As a new collector, I am forming my own opinions about what is to become valuable or collectible. However, it seems like black camera bodies garner a bit more respect and price than the chrome versions, but - call me mad - I REALLY like the chrome ones!

What do you think?

Best,
Mark

[casualcollector]

I'd like to find a chrome Canon F-1. That would be really rare!

If chrome was standard, the black bodies seem desirable. Back in the 70s the store I worked in carried the G.A.F. L-17, a rebadged Chinon. It only came in black. It got a lot of attention as it was the only black bodied camera in the display case.

[Randy]

Somebody say Black GAF L-17? I have one!

[casualcollector]

Whoa! We never carried one with red leatherette! Looks sharp, Randy.

[Mark Vaughan]

Randy,

I keep seeing these custom leatherette covered bodies - great stuff. I have a few candidate bodies for this kind of work and have plenty of leather, but what are you using for adhesive? Are there any tips or how-to links on this?

The L-17 looks great.

Mark

[ellacoya1]

Sharp looking camera, Randy! Nice job on that one!

[Randy]

Thanks Folks! The red covering is real leather. It's Lizard Embossed pigskin. If you look you'll see I fogged in a black border of the leather by tricks I learned when I worked in a tannery. I attached it using Duck brand double sided tape made for installing plastic storm windows. It's as thin as scotch tape but holds really well. I have cameras that have had the covering in place for over 12 years and it's still holding. I cut out the leather to shape, peel one side off the tape and apply, then trim, peel off the other side, and install.






Here is a similar LCS model I intalled Asian Sea Snake on using the same technique.

[Jean-Jacques]

Hi all,

I like both chrome and black bodies. From a technical side, however, the black bodies have a major advantage in that wear shows on them much faster than onchrome bodies. When you get a black body without any brassing, you now it hasn't been used much. With a chrome body, you just can't tell as easily.

Nice to see I'm not the only one who's into leather here ;D If someone could tell me how to append an image here I'd upload a couple of pics of my SLRs in new garb.

cheers,

jj

[casualcollector]

Upload your image to an online photo site like flickr or photobucket. When you compose your post, select the image button from the "add tags" section of the reply window. It's in the bottom row, fourth from left. You'll get this. [/img] From the photo site, copy the url of your image and paste it between. Your photo will appear in the post. Looking forward to seeing your handiwork.

[Rachel]

I do prefer a chrome finish on a camera but "painted" black is also very acceptable. I am not so keen on the anodized black finish. I have a Leica R3 in that finish and it looks very shabby. I also have a Leica M6 in that finish but being much newer it doesn't look so bad. Now the glossy black of my Canon A1 is really nice.

[Jean-Jacques]

Hi Casualcollector,

Thanks for the pointers. Hope this works.

The Konica Autoreflex TC (1976) nd T4 (1978) are famous for their shrinking leatherette. They are the prime candidates in the Konica SLR lineup for a change of garb. The leather is ordinary pigskin cut out from a bag. One can get these for pennies at the local flea market.

Cheers,

jj

www.flickr.com/photos/73929009@N00/3663844384/
www.flickr.com/photos/73929009@N00/3663843322/

[Jean-Jacques]

OK, take two:

[Just Plain Curt]

I tried a photo from my photostream at Flickr (Canuck Curt) and after a few tries I think I found what's giving you grief. 1. Click the reply icon in the blue bar beneath the last message, not the quick reply box 2. After typing the message you wish to share, click enter a time or two to allow room for your image 3. click on the fourth box over in the line that begins with a YouTube icon to get your image brackets 4. With your cursor between the two icons click to insert or paste your Flickr image 5. After inserting your image between the brackets go to the end of your message (after the brackets) and click enter a time or two. You can check by previewing your post or simply hit post. It worked for me but only after I screwed around for a while trying everything else. I usually use my Photobucket account to post here. Hope this helps. I've seen your Flickr photostream, nice cameras.

[Just Plain Curt]

Seems to work for me. Might be the way you have your photostream sharing set as I notice there's no comment box beneath your photos. Have you gone to the edit box and made your photos public or allow them to be seen by anyone??

[Jean-Jacques]

Hi Curt,

Thanks for your help. I played around with it for half an hour and no joy. I simply don't understand this. Anyone can see the pics on Flickr, and I pasted the url between the two signs, but I simply don't see them.

cheers

jj