So you treated yourself to a new vintage SLR camera? Decided to get something fairly unheard to show of your individuality?
Then the camera was added to a popular russian website and everyone was after them?

Well, you can maintain your uniqueness by customising your camera!

Sugru recently stopped making their orange Sugru, and I wanted to reproduce this effect on my new Ricoh SLR, so when I asked on twitter then sent me some of their last few packs! So I want to dedicate this instructable to them and how awesome they are.

Like my projects? Like seeing sneak peeks of things? Then follow me on Twitter @gmjhowe

(think you can do it better? then please do!)
1 year of pro membership to the first person to reproduce this instructable and post it in the comments!

Step 1: Tools & Materials

Materials

A vintage camera with a leather/plastic grip
Sugru
Masking tape or Sellotape

Tools

Craft knife
Rubber gloves (optional)
Printer (inkjet or laser works fine)
Printer Paper (of course)

Step 2: Cutting Out the Design

Choose a design that you want to use on your computer.

A good choice is to pick a letter or symbol. You could easily produce two letters for someones initials, or just the first letter of their first name.

Remember to pick a simple font, as you are going to need to cut it out by hand.

In this instructable you will see two designs featured. An Ampersand (based off my logo) which was for me, and an 'Omega' symbol which is my Sisters handle as I made one of these custom cameras for her as well.

Next you want to use some sellotape to stick down your design on the grip, where you want your inlay.

Trace the edge of the design with your craft knife, once you have completed the edge the inner paper section should come away. (easy to work out where you have cut).

If your letter has a counter (the fancy graphic designer word for the enclosed bits in letters) be sure to cut that out first. Not a major issue, as you can just tape it back down to cut those out.

Once you have peeled off the paper and tape, you should faintly be able to see the edge of your design, using your craft knife, or a small flat head screw driver work to life the edge of the design away, this should come away easily in one piece. However some cameras may break up into several bits.

Once you are doing you should have a nice recess in the grip, showing the metal/plastic underneath.

Step 3: Remask the Grip

This may look like you have gone back a step, but you have not.

Next we want to protect the actual grip from getting engrained with sugru. Cover the entire shape with sellotape, then use the craft knife to trace the edge of your design then remove the middle (the bit you want to be filled with sugru).

The reason we do not just use the paper mask from before is that sugru could easily end up getting pushed between the paper and the camera.

Step 4: Inlay With Sugru

Crack open your packet of Sugru.

Take of a small amount and carefully press into the recess, the Sugru should be easy to handle. Try not to get too much on the tape, however it does not need to be super neat.

Because the tape prevents the Sugru from sticking to the grip you can easily tidy up with a craft knife afterwards.

Either use some rubber gloves, or the packet from the Sugru to get a nice flat finish. If you make the nice fingerprint finish then you can do without.

Let the Sugru cure for the time specified on the packet before removing the tape or trimming the shape.

Step 5: Finish

After you Sugru is cured, and you have trimmed down the edges you should have a nice visually striking custom vintage camera.

Its a nice simple modification, it gives you a better grip and it looks damned cool.

Let me know what you think. Be sure to show any pictures of you variations of this instructable.

- gmjhowe