Online Ordering for other cameras |
|
Leica Digital Point
and Shoot |
Leica X1 and Digilux 2 |
|
| About digital cameras
and aftermarket coverings. __________________________________________________________________ Most digital cameras now are made without a separate leatherette veneer. They have either a bare outer shell of metal or plastic, or a molded shell of softer plastic, assembled over a metal or harder plastic chassis. Most outer surfaces are now smooth, and if they have any texture at all, it's cast into the outer part itself. The idea of a separate thin, flat covering has fallen out of favor, to simplify assembly, and to give the camera designers complete freedom to create parts of any shape and texture. The difference can be illustrated by comparing the Leica Digilux 2 and the Leica X1. The X1, despite being the newer camera, uses the traditional, thin leatherette veneer associated with legacy film cameras, while the Digilux uses the "shell of molded parts" approach described above. One thing that both cameras have in common, is a covering that can lift and warp over time. As a "retro" design, the Leica X1 can be recovered in much the same way as your old OM-1 or Canonet. Just peel off the old vinyl cover, clean the surface of any residue, clean with a soft cloth dampened with a little alcohol, and apply the new skin. On the 2 front sections, the "wet method" can be employed at the inboard areas around the lens mount, so that the new covering can be floated into position, and pressed into place over the "dry" outboard zone. The Digilux 2 kits are priced a little less than the Leica M kits, and the X1 kits are priced about the same a 35mm kit. Please ask for a price quote and we can send you an email invoice. |
 "Restoration Black"
leather looks right at home on the X1. |
 |
Recovering the Digilux
requires more care. The camera owner should exercise extreme caution when removing the hard rubber parts, which are mounted on a plastic shell that can break under the force required to remove the old covering. While peeling back the rubber parts, you should apply equal counter force with another finger (typically your thumb) upon the newly exposed plastic areas, to keep them from bending up and breaking. This is especially important on the doors, which should always remain in the closed position and held there firmly as you (slowly!) peel off the hard outer shell. Once the old parts are off, any thin black tape remaining on the front should also be completely removed, since it is not a good substrate for the adhesive backing of your new covering. Remove all traces of the tape including every bit of old adhesive, and wipe clean with the alcohol dampened cloth. As you can see in the photo here, once you have applied your new covering, there will be a larger gap around both doors. Here, the original covering was a molded part, with a raised, returned edge that filled the gap at the hinge. Our new leather can only sit within the boundaries of the plastic door! For several years most of our kits for the Digilux have been applied here, on cameras sent to us for the service. If you do not feel comfortable doing this type of work on your Digilux, then consider sending it to us for a professional fitting. (Mahogany kid skin) |
 Cinnamon composite
leather is shown above, and Griptac Black is at right.
|
 |
 Above: Cranberry Red
composite leather. To the right, Alpine White composite leather. This
material has been added after many requests for a white covering, and
almost all were from Leica owners. This covering is very smooth, to
allow any dirt or grime to be easily wiped clean.
|
 |
Cardinal Red kid skin |
 |
|
|
The Digilux 2 kits are priced a little less than the Leica M kits, and the X1 kits are priced about the same a 35mm kit. Please ask for a price quote and we can send you an email invoice. |