This is my second try at some cosmetic DIY. The first for a Nikon FE was a success. This time around we are looking at the Contax 137 MA Quartz. Great camera, but one downside is the well-known issue of disintegrating leather.
One solution is to simply remove the skin. Looks great, but renders the camera a bit slippery.
Solution? Ordered a black lizard print skin for $18 shipping included. Ordered one got two.
While tempted by the free cowhide skin I stuck with the black lizard print. The 137 MA instructions were missing from the 137 page, but I was able to find the 137 instructions on the 139 page. Steps below are based on those instructions.
Screwdriver for tucking the skin under the film memo holder.
Alcohol. Brushes. Pack of 30 small brushes was 97 cents.
Rubber cement to secure the edges.
Now I must come up with some manner of project to make use of the remaining 28. Needed one brush, used two.
Used one for alcohol to slow the adhesive drying on the skin while you are placing it on the camera (check the instructions).
Found the brush that came with the rubber cement jar a little bit too large so I used another brush to apply the rubber cement to the edges as instructed so keep it a bit tidier.
Result? Success.
Count me as a fan of this product. While I have seen videos that show how to make your own cover from scratch I would gladly pay $18 again to save the trouble if available.
Here is an ongoing gallery of photos using the camera.
Happy shooting.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 
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