Recovering Service
Leica M Door Refinishing Service
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Recovering Service |
Leica M Door Refinishing Service |
| This page
is specifically oriented towards the Leica owner, although we can
recover any camera we support with our leather kits, and we routinely
do custom recovering of cameras we don't make pre-cut kits for.
For cameras other than Leicas, request a quote. |
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More than half the cameras sent to us for recovering are Leica M's or LTM's. Although it isn't difficult to recover a camera, there are some procedures that only the Leica owner must contemplate. The most significant is removal of the original hard rubber covering, vulcanite. That procedure is covered separately here. Additionally, the unique construction of the Leica, with its long, wrap-around covering requires the owner follow a sequential procedure to get the piece registered accurately at a number of key spots. Some Leica owners would rather not deal with vulcanite removal or the special installation sequence. Some want to make sure that the workmanship and final appearance of the new covering is of the highest caliber. We do recovering work exclusively, and take pride in the technical and aesthetic quality of our applications. As specialists, we make sure that the fit and tolerances of your new covering are at least as good as when your camera was new.
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Leica user, the benefits of an expert recovering
are many: Obviously, you will redress the annoyance of a
crumbling vulcanite shell. But you can also rekindle the
sensation you had when you held it for the first time . . . and
according
to our many happy clients--you will almost certainly use
the camera more often and more enjoyably. Typically, a sad-looking
camera spends
more and more time out of use . . . and then literally comes back to
life in its new garb, ready to resume the role of constant
companion. The feel and even the smell of a fine leather covering
can have the same rejuvenating effect of a complete mechanical
overhaul. (And it might just improve your pictures . . . ) The scope of work done in recovering all M bodies is similar, and includes the back door. Below are the particulars for each type.
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Will I lose the factory warranty if my M8 is recovered? No. Your Leica warranty is not forfeited on a properly recovered camera. Under Federal Consumer Protection laws, any alterations that are cosmetic only do not void a new product warranty. The only part of the camera no longer protected by the warranty is the old vinyl covering. However, if your M8 goes to Leica for a repair under warranty, and their technician has to remove our covering, they are not responsible for replacing it. For this reason, we always "piggy back" on the Leica new product warranty, for its full duration. In these circumstances, we will replace our covering at no charge. We will also apply it at no charge, if we applied it originally. (This applies to all new Leicas, not just the M8.) |
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There has been lots of talk about the factory cover on the M8 and the MP. Although we offer some materials that, in our opinion, offer better "grip" qualities than the factory covering, the new Leica material does offer a surface less prone to slippage than those used on earlier M's. All other things being equal, a dry smoother surface offers greater contact with your skin than the same material with a pebble surface. The best reason to get a new covering is to make your camera look and feel great. If you are worried about dropping it, then hold it properly, use a strap and get a case! Do we get anxious at the thought of M8 owners mucking about their $5000 camera? Well, . . .YES. But in most respects the M8 is easier to recover than a 35 mm Leica. We are assembling a new set of suggested steps to guide the M8 owner, based on our own experience and those of a few other M8 owners we are working with. Most of the M8 cameras sent here have been recovered in black, so we are happy to show the work done for 2 recent customers, in Dark Brown Paradise snake skin, and Verdigris Kid Skin. The brown leather was a special order, but we hope to offer it soon within our standard range. |
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Door
refinishing Your door can be refinished in a catalyzed black enamel that matches the original. This can be done concurrently with recovering, or you may also send just the door in for this service. First, the 2 rubber bumpers by the hinge are removed and discarded. Then the old paint is completely removed from the exposed parts of the door frame; the flat black interior side is left untouched. Most of the scratches come off with the old paint, leaving a smooth surface for several coats of the new finish. Scratches that are very deep into the metal itself my still be visible after refinishing, but in our experience this is a rare outcome. After painting and curing, new bumpers are installed. Note: the original vulcanite covering on the door cannot be retained if the door is repainted. Later M doors made of anodized aluminum cannot be repainted successfully. Some of these doors have made it onto earlier cameras. The anodized aluminum doors are identified by their very light weight, and a slightly purple tint to the metal surface that lies under the paint. Also, scratches on these doors will show bright aluminum. This service is not available for back doors of the M6, M7 and MP. Sorry, we do not repaint camera bodies! |
| Labor charges for services | M1, M2, M3, M4 (all), M6, M7, MP, MD, MD-2 | M5 | M8 | Leica thread mt. (all) Leica thread copies |
| Recovering service |
US$75 + kit | US$90 + kit | US$90 + kit | US$75 + kit |
| M Film door refinishing | US$70 | US$70 | X |
X |
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The
time frame to complete work is anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks,
depending on our work load. Tell us when you want to send it and
we'll tell you when to expect it back.
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| Where is Cameraleather's shipping address?
It's in Burlington, Vermont USA . . . but
the first step is to email us
at the link below and request the service of your choice. You'll
then know our specific shipping details, and we'll then know what is
coming in, and when. This is very important for both of us when
valuable equipment is being sent. Arranging details fully
and in advance is better than posting a mailing address
here. Why? Otherwise, parcels arrive unannounced and
unsolicited, sometimes with no instructions, no return email address,
no payment, and in one case--no return address! It also insures
that the covering of your choice is ready for your camera when it
arrives. |
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details: Equipment
sent in should be well packed and insured for full value. Camera
bodies should always be sent with a body cap. If you don't have
one, then it should be sent with your least expensive lens
mounted. We don't have any particular preference for one carrier;
within the U.S. you may send by USPS, FedEx, UPS or DHL. Any
parcel sent should include a tracking number. With the US Postal
Service, you'll need to specify it. (It's standard with commercial
carriers.) Parcels from overseas can be sent as above, with "for repair and return to sender" clearly marked on any Customs form. This original form will be included in the return parcel to prevent any Customs charges upon return in your home country. Items from overseas should also be insured for actual value, and will be sent back insured for the same amount. |
