Digilux 2....and a new 'skin'?

[BBestone]

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I've had her for almost 12 years, and I am the second owner. The skin is coming off the memory card slot , and is loose in other places, and as a whole is looking " old". 

My question is ....if anyone has had theirs re-skinned and by whom , and if you were happy with the outcome? ( Photos??)

And my second question is has anyone bought a skin and replaced it themselves?  It doesn't look like rocket science to replace it, especially  if the skin is pre-cut!

I have a request out for pricing/samples photos from Cameraleather.com, but nothing as of yet.

The camera is working perfectly and deserves it.

 

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[rsolomon]

Years ago leica NJ did mine, it was actually free as I was getting it fully checked out, the total cost of cla included the skin replacement. I’ve seen some wild skins here on the forum , however years ago so I’m sure they are still available 

[wda]

I wrote about this topic here https://www.davidaskham.com/re-skinning-a-leica-digilux it is a long time since I read any recent reports on reskinning a Digilux 2 camera. With global uncertainties,  I would not send a camera out of country, at the present time, other than to Leica, who I doubt would welcome such an old camera. I have resealed odd corners that have lifted with use.

Edited April 1, 2022 by wda

[doubice]

Camera Leather still lists covering for the Digilux 2 - link here: Camera Leather

Few years ago there was some concern about Morgan's responses to orders; I have never had a problem and have dealt with him for over 15 years. His website seems to be 'under construction' and has been so for a while; best bet may be to contact him directly through the link on the website.

Another option may be Aki Asahi - link here: Aki Asahi

Aki does not list a Digilux 2 but may be able to help - just ask.

Good luck!

Jan

[farnz]

Hi, Barbara, I've only just found this thread.

I had the skin on one of my Digilux 2's replaced by Morgan at CameraLeather many many years ago.  He made a fair job of it but (even in those days) his communication was very poor.  It also involved sending my D2 from the UK to the USA and despite my clear instructions he loused it up and caused me to have to pay a lot of VAT and import duty on my own camera, which I could never recoup of course but the less said about that the better.

Since then I have re-skinned two M8's and realise that it's actually very easy as long as you use alcohol-based liquid hand cleanser as a lubricant to give you time, while the alcohol evapourates, to position the new skin before the adhesive sets.  If I remember correctly there's a YouTube clip that shows how to do it.

Good luck! 😊

Pete.

[robert_parker]

I'll just add to Pete's comment that over the years I've seen quite a few cameras that have been re-skinned by their owners and the results have always looked really good. 

[robert_parker]

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....of course you have to be careful to follow the instructions and YouTube videos - and you mustn't cut corners....✂️📸😲

Edited May 15, 2022 by robert_parker

[Jon Schick]

Just to add to the thread, I'm UK based and yesterday reskinned my "new" D2 with a kit supplied by Morgan at Cameraleather.com.  No complaints about communication (rapid), supply (shipped to UK very quickly) or quality.  It's a straightforward DIY job which just needs a bit of time and care - very much liking the end result, in a quite grippy tan leather.  He didn't supply instructions but I've done it before (Aki Asahi) - he was happy to be emailed for advice if required though.  

[wda]

17 minutes ago, Jon Schick said:

Just to add to the thread, I'm UK based and yesterday reskinned my "new" D2 with a kit supplied by Morgan at Cameraleather.com.  No complaints about communication (rapid), supply (shipped to UK very quickly) or quality.  It's a straightforward DIY job which just needs a bit of time and care - very much liking the end result, in a quite grippy tan leather.  He didn't supply instructions but I've done it before (Aki Asahi) - he was happy to be emailed for advice if required though.  

Jon, well done. I am tempted. How difficult for a novice? Can you easily remedy mis-alighnment? A picture? Thank you.

David

Edited August 19, 2022 by wda

[Jon Schick]

Hi David,

The scariest bit is taking off the old cover, and the dawning realisation that it's too late to change your mind when the bent bits of rubber are sat in front of you!  Actually they were easy to prise off mine in just a few minutes, the covers of the flaps on each side being the trickiest bit and needing a bit of care so you don't break any hinges etc - once you can carefully prise off a corner with a small screwdriver or similar, it's easy enough  Next step is to remove any remaining glue - of which there was little on mine; I found lighter fluid on a small microfibre lens cleaning cloth worked very well for this.  In terms of putting on the new skins, there are exposed screws on each side of the camera body which make good alignment very straightforward.  I also only took off part of the backing paper until I knew things were looking good - similar to the way you would fix a rear LCD protector for example.  I know some people use things like alcohol based hand sanitiser to give a bit of time to jiggle things around, but I didn't do that this time (perhaps stupidly) and I got away with it!

Some quick snaps:

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[wda]

2 hours ago, Jon Schick said:

Hi David,

The scariest bit is taking off the old cover, and the dawning realisation that it's too late to change your mind when the bent bits of rubber are sat in front of you!  Actually they were easy to prise off mine in just a few minutes, the covers of the flaps on each side being the trickiest bit and needing a bit of care so you don't break any hinges etc - once you can carefully prise off a corner with a small screwdriver or similar, it's easy enough  Next step is to remove any remaining glue - of which there was little on mine; I found lighter fluid on a small microfibre lens cleaning cloth worked very well for this.  In terms of putting on the new skins, there are exposed screws on each side of the camera body which make good alignment very straightforward.  I also only took off part of the backing paper until I knew things were looking good - similar to the way you would fix a rear LCD protector for example.  I know some people use things like alcohol based hand sanitiser to give a bit of time to jiggle things around, but I didn't do that this time (perhaps stupidly) and I got away with it!

Some quick snaps:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Thank you Jon. The website is not working, so could you remind me of the current cost and say whether duty has to be paid? Thanks.

[Jon Schick]

Hi David - I paid $59.20 including postage and post Brexit import charges (which were handled by Cameraleather).  Cheers, Jon

[wda]

Thank you, Jon. Very tempted.

[williamgm]

After reading this thread I thought I might purchase a covering set for future use. The original covering on my D2 is still fine, but of course it might not stay that way.

I was able to open the Camera Leather website without problem and sent an email; I had a very prompt reply from Morgan Sparks with a number of attached images showing the range of covering options (shown on various cameras, not all on a D2).

The costs given were $24 for 'Griptac' leatherette and $38 for the leather options. Tracked USPS delivery is $15.60 and UK VAT now has to be added.