To style or not to style

[alexkerhead]

Ok, so I think I am ready to put some new leatherette on my AutoCord and Yashica-Mat(newly acquired). However, I am torn between going with a stylish(colored) covering, and sticking with a traditional dark grey leatherette,

On one hand, I don't want to make them look cheesy and I like to mak things look original, but on the other hand, I think these are such lovely cameras, making them look like everyone else's autocord and Mat wouldn't do them justice. I might get tired of the more expensive stylish coverings quickly, and I may not.

For instance, I think this dark green is amazing looking. www.cameraleather.com/autocord/autocord_brg1.jpg

And I think this blue covering is stellar as well.
www.cameraleather.com/yashicatlr/124_G_cobalt2.jpg

I would appreciate any opinions or input regarding this.

Here are the babies who need some new skin.

[mickeyobe]

Why not compromise?
Blue on the left.
Green on the right.
Dark grey on the back.
And just to be sure that they are noticed in a crowd, red on the top and front.

Ever helpful, Mickey

[Andrew]

its really a matter of personal preferance. for me they do look impressive for a while and then i get tired of them. the one or two cameras i have around here with different coverings i would now prefer they were origonal. my daughter has an isolette in red that she still likes but i prefer it standard.

visitors to my home are always drawn to the different colour cameras on display i notice though! i have a row of a heap of old kodaks for instance, in a all sorts of colours (they were released that way) even though these are very ordinary basic cameras and there are high end cameras to see else where people are drawn to coloured kodaks. no accounting for taste eh!

[alexkerhead]

Thanks Andrew, that is what needed. I went to cameraleather and got the standard replacement kits.
Your argument made me realize, that if my kodaks and cheapos are the only "cute" cameras, then people will pick them up, before messing with my babies.

[davesworld]

Must say the Green....makes me GREEN!!! with envy, Lol, Lol ;D

Dave

[Andrew]

well Alex you can't go wrong with a standard replacment, it maintains the class and allure the camera had to begin with, not to mention possible resale value down the track not that i am sugestion you are likely to sell. its easier to regret later installing a colour...

whenever possible i like people and my kids to use or handle the cameras or anything really! ,for instance when my kids were little i was never one to say don't touch the flowers in the garden to maintain the display. i would let them pick or do what they wished with them...its a part of learnng and life......but when it comes to those special cameras ya just have to say no sometimes or closley supervise hey (adults too).. we all know just how easily they can be damaged in unlearned hands

[PeterW]

Alex,

I agree with Andrew that recovering in a material as near as possible to the original is best. When I restore a camera I like to do it as near as I can get it, without going to ridiculous lengths, looking as it did when it left the factory. Restoring, by definition, means getting something back to its original state or condition.

However, I've got no beef with people who, like our esteemed Fearles Leader, sometimes like to refinish a camera in another colour. Unless it's a priceless very rare camera feel free to refinish it in whatever colour that takes your fancy. Paint it pink and cover it in mauve velvet if you like. It is, after all, your camera.

PeterW

[camerastoomany]

I have a Yashica FX-3 covered in burgundy leather. In the beginning I thought it was wonderful. Several months ago I bought another with the original black covering and haven't used the recovered one since. It just didn't feel like a real camera anymore. Maybe I'm a traditionalist.