Leather covering

The faux leather covering on many cameras shrinks, peels, or becomes brittle — especially models from the 1970s to 90s. Our covering kits are custom-made for each model: CNC-cut faux leather, self-adhesive, precisely matched to the camera’s contours.

Covering vs. light seal

Light seals sit in narrow grooves on the back cover and prevent light from entering the film. Covering is the outer grip covering — it doesn’t seal but greatly affects feel, look, and collector value. Missing or swollen covering lowers resale value by 30–50%.

Aging and shrinking

Most camera manufacturers used PVC-based faux leather with contact adhesive. After 30–40 years, this happens:

Plasticizer migration. The plasticizers in PVC evaporate. The material becomes hard, brittle, and shrinks. The edges come loose first.
Glue degradation. Contact adhesive loses its stickiness. Moisture and heat accelerate the breakdown.
UV damage. Direct sunlight fades the surface and speeds up hardening.

Replacement is easy: Peel off old covering (warm with a hairdryer if needed), remove glue residue with isopropanol, position new covering and press down. 10–15 minutes per camera side.

Light seals — sealing sets for the back cover

When the covering peels off, the camera’s light seals are often in the same condition. Light seals sit in the back cover and prevent stray light from hitting the film. We offer universal sets and model-specific kits.