To reskin or not to reskin MP (purely aesthetic)

[mdg1371]

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Ive been shooting exclusively digital since 2006, but have decided to get back into film after browsing through old negs and transparencies-- picked up a mint in box M4 and an MP (and a Rolleiflex 2.8F)

 

Part of my consideration is leaving a non-digital record.

 

I looked for an MP with the intent of keeping it long term--ie my one film camera for a couple decades, should I decide to rid myself of the others. I specifically looked for one that had a least a hint of brassing, so I would not be as tempted to baby it, and it could be allowed to brass naturally.

 

Found this a la carte with factory chestnut ostrich skin. My thought was to reskin in black lizard skin, but now that it has arrived, the chestnut looks like it has more depth, more presence.

 

From a purely aesthetic perspective, what are your thoughts on the chestnut?

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Edited November 24, 2014 by mdg1371

[Chuck Albertson]

Don't bother. The first time it goes in to Leica for a CLA or repair, the skin gets stripped off and replaced with something else.

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[gbealnz]

Good lord, use it, love it, cherish it, and if all that fails, send it to me.

It certainly is different, for sure, but just use it. At least for a while. I like it.

If after some use you decide you don't like it, do it then, but not now.

Gary

[mdg1371]

Don't bother. The first time it goes in to Leica for a CLA or repair, the skin gets stripped off and replaced with something else.

 

It's a factory covering, wouldn't they replace it with the same?

[otto.f]

If ostrich and lizard are the real skins from these animals I would prefer the ostrich, seems more decade-proof to me. BUT, this brown is going to age and it will become more and more beautiful, as with my military green Luigi's Case. A few times travelling through hot countries and you'll love it, whereas black remains the same. Black lizard is shiny, no?

Edited November 24, 2014 by otto.f

[Joachim123]

Nice I also acquired a mint M3 and sent it in for a CLA. I ordered the Levant Leather from Camera Leather, just waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I believe that these coverings ad a unique twist and are a testament to the owners.

 

Far nicer than the standard old Vulcanite.

[IWC Doppel]

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I fitted a lizard skin on my M9-P and love it. Easy to change and makes a nice change IMO

[Chuck Albertson]

It's a factory covering, wouldn't they replace it with the same?

 

The black lizard skin is a factory covering?

[wattsy]

From a purely aesthetic perspective, what are your thoughts on the chestnut?

 

Not my cup of tea in the same way that an elephant leg bar stool wouldn't be either (you did ask.). I much prefer the standard "sandpaper" or faux vulcanite coverings.

[mdg1371]

The black lizard skin is a factory covering?

 

I was referring to the ostrich-- that's factory.

However, there is a black lizard factory option!

[pico]

I was referring to the ostrich--

 

The ostrich skin looks like a medical text book illustration of Herpes. Repulsive!

.

[NB23]

I quite like it. Sure, new like this it's a bit off. But once you start to use that thing and it starts getting brassed, and the leatherette starts to age gracefully, you will end up with a nice, unique camera.

 

I'm still waiting for my ala carte Leica MP 0.58 with Black Ostrich leather.

[Archiver]

As I mentioned elsewhere, if you like it, then there's no need to ask anyone else. You can stay with it and when/if you decide you'd like a change, you can do it then.

 

I do suspect that it looks better in real life than in a photo like this.

[250swb]

I do suspect that it looks better in real life than in a photo like this.

 

Oh I don't know, they look like good photo's to me.

 

It's who you are doing it for that matter's. Is it you, or the people who look at you with your camera? Think hard because the look of diseased liver isn't to everybody's taste and the photographers gentle smile of acknowledgement can take on a whole different meaning if the camera looks like it belongs to Hannibal Lecter.

 

Steve

[Torgian]

Go Pinketta. It's the only way to fly.

[mdg1371]

Oh I don't know, they look like good photo's to me.

 

It's who you are doing it for that matter's. Is it you, or the people who look at you with your camera? Think hard because the look of diseased liver isn't to everybody's taste and the photographers gentle smile of acknowledgement can take on a whole different meaning if the camera looks like it belongs to Hannibal Lecter.

 

Steve

 

Totally understand Steve, I'm sure the covering is what allowed me to pick this MP up for about $500.00 under market price, and I did so with the full intent of recovering-- but there is something almost...contrary... about the ostrich that is tempting--

 

I also agree with the previous poster that the chrome version with this skin looks entirely different.