Painting A Camera

[jyl]

I was given a 1959 (?) Nikon SP rangefinder camera. This is something of a family heirloom, my grandfather gave it to my aunt in 1959 (?), it was a savagely expensive camera at the time, about $450 ($3,000 today's dollars). A second Nikon SP that he gave to my other aunt at the same time has been sadly lost. The camera and two lenses are worth around $1,500-$2,000, I'd say. It is only to second thing I have from my grandfather (the first being one of his calligraphy works), so I don't intend to sell it. I intend to use it a little and display it with my other vintage Nikons.

Anyway, this is silly, but I prefer all black cameras, and this one is chrome . . . so I was thinking about painting it black.

Comments? Anyone painted a camera? It is a stupid idea, too hard to do a good job, reveals my superficial character?

Nikon SP looks like https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/sp.htm

[vash]

there is no way i would paint that thing.

[aschen]

refinishing antique/collectible things usually send their value to the crapper. Espescially if the original finish is decent

[vash]

it's subjective.

i had an all black Leica. after a short while, i wished it was the silver body. way more retrocool for me.

i think the silver body will grow on your.

[drkshdw]

It's your camera. Do what you want with it. If that means turning a $2K camera into a $20 one because you like black more than chrome, so be it.

[OK-944]

Try googling "Shintaro camera painting." A few years ago he was the cat's pajamas (with hefty prices and a long waiting list). I'm a long time Leica user and have seen Shintaro's work...and it is stunning! Should not detract from value and may even add to it.

[drcoastline]

Forgetting value, doesn't painting it change it from what it is (the camera your grandfather gave to your aunt) to something else?

[scottmandue]

You guys missed the "I don't intend to sell it" part of his post = he doesn't care how it affects value.

Many of my old cameras were black, I think because it gives them more of a professional look.

Just my two cents I think the camera is gorgeous as it is.

[LWJ]

I get that you don't like the chrome. However, as DR points out, it will change the camera from what it was originally. Would it make sense to have this as the chrome center piece of your collection?

Sort of like my SC. It is gold. I hated the color at first. Love it now.

BTW, this is very cool that you have this. I am sort of sentimental as well. Have a picture above my work monitor of my Grandfather who influenced me in my career path.

[widebody911]

Step away from the paint can and put the camera down.

[sc_rufctr]

It's doable but you'd have to disassemble the camera and strip off the chrome to do a half decent job.
Considering the value of this Nikon I'd send it to someone who does this for a living.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

It's doable but you'd have to disassemble the camera and strip off the chrome to do a half decent job.
Considering the value of this Nikon I'd send it to someone who does this for a living.

I was just thinking this ^^^ the only way to do a proper job would be to dissemble the camera and you better have watchmaker skills (maybe you do, I don't know) to attempt that as a DIY.

And if you are going to all that expense why not add a little flair and get it purple or green, I mean anyone can have a black camera!

[aschen]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

It's doable but you'd have to disassemble the camera and strip off the chrome to do a half decent job.
Considering the value of this Nikon I'd send it to someone who does this for a living.

this kind of natural wear appropriate with heavy and thoughtfull usage is the sort of thing that get vintage watch guys hot and bothered.

In my most pretentious and hipster tone "amazing patina" I sort of get it though, I like for old things to look old

[HardDrive]

Hell. No.

[herr_oberst]

Do it! I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black! Black as night! Black as coal!
What would be cool is if a model maker could age it to make it look like it had been put through the wringer, like the one rufter posted, but with chrome under the black..

[Scott Douglas]

I like black cameras as much as the next guy, but I vote for leaving the heritage pieces as they came to me.

[javadog]

A camera is an insanely difficult thing to take apart and paint properly. No, you don't want to even think about it.

[Bill Douglas]

Patina.

[CurtEgerer]

Vinyl wrap. Problem solved

[Steve Carlton]

Really nice Panasonic wrap kits out there...