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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 13, 2014 14:23:21 GMT -5
For some time i would have liked to re-cover(or pimp) a camera, a few things held me back, i didn't want to ruin a valuable camera,i didn't want to spent more on custom made snake skin than the camera was worth. Bring in the yashica FX-3, a good working camera that's worth nothing, and an old snakeskin handbag (1 euro at the flea market) I removed the old covering from the FX3 keeping it as a template for the snakeskin, dismanteled the handbag, cut the pattern, and glued the lot on the "naked" camera. Here's the result:     Next time i will be using an exacto knife that's actually sharp and some hole pounsers, the nikon FE wich is next on the list will probably be worth it. When i really get the hang of it and find a suitable handbag i'll try one of the hassies. |
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truls
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Post by truls on Aug 13, 2014 14:49:16 GMT -5
You did it successfully! The red color and embossing really complement the black body. I guess you were lucky with the handbag then. I assume the key to all those camera leather upgrading is having a very sharp scalpel or similar type knife. What type of glue did you use? FX-3 is a camera I like, basic bare bone camera without any bells and so on.
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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 13, 2014 15:02:47 GMT -5
I've used ( don't know if this is the right translation) invisble "montage" kit. It is a white putty like glue that becomes rubber like when dry.It can be applied with a firm brush or even your finger as it wipes off easy. When applied to both surfaces it gives a very good bond even in extreme corners and once the leather is on the camera there's still some time to reposition it. Exces of glue squirted out of the seams can be rubbed off once dry.
And yes the FX-3 is a nice no-nonsense camera, to bad it has it's own bayonet mount for wich it isn't easy to find lenses.
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Post by philbirch on Aug 13, 2014 16:09:36 GMT -5
Nice job. A tip: before putting the new 'leather' on, go over the cut edges with a marker pen. I use a whiteboard marker, it rubs off the surface easily but stays on the cut edges of the material. This tidies up the edges so there are no white bits.
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truls
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Post by truls on Aug 14, 2014 9:22:09 GMT -5
If done professional it also helps having a sense of which color of the leather will match the camera. Also strange, during history most cameras are chrome or black, even today dslr's are black only. Why? Most of the mirrorless and compact digitals are found in almost a rainbow spectrum of colors.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 14, 2014 13:29:56 GMT -5
If done professional it also helps having a sense of which color of the leather will match the camera. Also strange, during history most cameras are chrome or black, even today dslr's are black only. Why? Most of the mirrorless and compact digitals are found in almost a rainbow spectrum of colors. Elementary my dear truls. Elementary. The camera manufacturers foresaw the eventual need to recover their precious productions. Black or chrome will go well with any colour in the spectrum. Mickey O O O |
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Post by philbirch on Aug 14, 2014 17:06:34 GMT -5
If done professional it also helps having a sense of which color of the leather will match the camera. Also strange, during history most cameras are chrome or black, even today dslr's are black only. Why? Most of the mirrorless and compact digitals are found in almost a rainbow spectrum of colors. Perhaps apart from this one    |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 14, 2014 17:54:21 GMT -5
If done professional it also helps having a sense of which color of the leather will match the camera. Also strange, during history most cameras are chrome or black, even today dslr's are black only. Why? Most of the mirrorless and compact digitals are found in almost a rainbow spectrum of colors. Perhaps apart from this one Where is the barf bag? Mickey |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 14, 2014 18:00:06 GMT -5
And yes the FX-3 is a nice no-nonsense camera, to bad it has it's own bayonet mount for wich it isn't easy to find lenses.[/quote]
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That is a beautiful set of new clothes.
Mickey
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dps3006
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Post by dps3006 on Aug 15, 2014 16:10:33 GMT -5
Wow, great craftsmanship! You did an outstanding job. Well done!
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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 16, 2014 5:07:08 GMT -5
If done professional it also helps having a sense of which color of the leather will match the camera. Also strange, during history most cameras are chrome or black, even today dslr's are black only. Why? Most of the mirrorless and compact digitals are found in almost a rainbow spectrum of colors. this Bilora bella didn't need much pimping, it came out of the factory this way    |
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Post by philbirch on Aug 16, 2014 6:45:13 GMT -5
Some cameras in the 50's came in a variety of colours, the Bilora's had lovely grey alternative to the black. Many cheap cameras made by small companies, notably in the USA, came in many shades, some even had graphics printed.
Buggered if I can find the name of one I saw or I'd show it here.
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Post by moltogordo on Feb 10, 2015 3:08:07 GMT -5
That's a very nice job, and as was said above, your snakeskin does suit the camera.
I also like the FX-3. I have two FX-7s, very similar but with a mount that's easier to get lenses for. One of mine is a bit ratty - maybe I'll start looking for an old handbag at Value Village and give it a whirl myself!
Those Pentax's are pretty awful, but I shouldn't say anything. I have a white Kx. Dandy little camera, but what I get when people see it is "it looks like an Imperial Star Trooper camera." Suppose it could be worse.
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Post by philbirch on Feb 11, 2015 4:45:06 GMT -5
That's a very nice job, and as was said above, your snakeskin does suit the camera. I also like the FX-3. I have two FX-7s, very similar but with a mount that's easier to get lenses for. One of mine is a bit ratty - maybe I'll start looking for an old handbag at Value Village and give it a whirl myself! Those Pentax's are pretty awful, but I shouldn't say anything. I have a white Kx. Dandy little camera, but what I get when people see it is "it looks like an Imperial Star Trooper camera." Suppose it could be worse. You can get an M42 to C/Y adapter. The 'rimless' variety will allow you to use M42 lenses on your CONTAX or Yashica and get infinity focusing. Aperture priority auto will work but there will be no aperture display. You meter in 'stop-down mode and the lens must be set to M.  |
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Post by Randy on Feb 11, 2015 20:11:15 GMT -5
 Here's my FX-3. |
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