Seoul Edition: JnK Handworks – Arte Di Mano and Sazinzibb Camera Store
Seoul Edition: JnK Handworks - Arte Di Mano and Sazinzibb Camera Store
Diary
Seoul Edition: JnK Handworks – Arte Di Mano and Sazinzibb Camera Store
In my last post, I discussed my 6-day exploration of Jeju, where I experimented with various film lenses. One of the highlights of the trip was picking up some exquisite items from JNK. After a productive time in Jeju, we flew to Seoul to meet with Sazinzibb Camera and visit JNK Handworks – Arte Di Mano, renowned for being among the best leather craftsmen in Korea, specialising in straps and camera cases.
The Leica Ghost Edition by Hodinkee has been lingering in my mind, urging me to seek something unique for my Leica MP. I decided to replace the original red leather (from the previous owner) with a grey leatherette. Choosing the new colour was challenging; I considered Hermes brown, but Tiffany Roubert’s Instagram post showcasing her Silver Leica MP in grey camera skin, which looked like a bluish light grey, swayed my decision. After consulting with Arte Di Mano, I discovered they had the perfect shrunken calf leather in grey, and I instantly knew it was exactly what I wanted.
Simultaneously, I ordered two straps from Fotopia: a short 65cm in Novonappa Black for my film M, aligning with the recent trend of using shorter straps to prevent the camera from bouncing against my belly, and a Novonappa Tan, also known as Hermes Barenia leather. This leather ages beautifully, developing a moist and rich patina without the need for conditioning. It’s smooth, with no extra pebbles or patterns, giving it a sleek appearance.
I have a little backstory about my search for Novonappa leather. My first strap made of this material was crafted by a reputable Leica user in Hong Kong, known on Instagram as Jeansky. Regrettably, I only purchased one from him before he stopped taking orders, prompting me to look for alternatives. Arte Di Mano stood out as one of the few that offered clean cuts and carried the leather quality I desired, leading me to place an order through Fotopia.
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Visiting JnK Handworks - Arte Di Mano
JNK Handworks is just a 20-minute train ride from my hotel in Myeongdong. The area, reminiscent of Tokyo, is quiet and tidy. Directly opposite the JNK office is a special coffee place with vinyls and photobooks – Wknd film run by a photographer, recommended by Rich. Unfortunately, it was closed the day we visited, so I could only peek through the window. Sejun and Rich warmly welcomed us and showed us around their workshop. Their dedication and focus on quality were immediately evident. They are very customer-centric; if you have a specific request for your camera, they are always ready to help. They reskinned my camera within two hours and even made a video of the process—truly impressive!
I was blown away by the texture and feel of my MP in its new grey leatherette—it’s phenomenal. Although there are cheaper DIY options, once you experience their meticulous care, attention to detail, and perfect fit, you’ll understand the value they offer.For those looking to enhance their camera with a stylish and durable strap, I highly recommend an Arte Di Mano strap. I’ve also placed an order for a whiskey shell cordovan case for my Leica MP film camera and am eagerly anticipating its arrival!
JnK-handworks
Address: 2F JnK, JnK Bldg, 21 Seongbukro7gil, Seongbukgu, Seoul, South Korea
Sazinzibb Camera Store
I first discovered Sazinzibb Camera through Instagram, where they showcase superb lens comparisons between models. Whenever I’m curious about new lenses, such as the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH vs. Version 2, or the Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 Original vs. Reissue, I always refer to their page. They have a very refined taste and a compelling selection in their shop, where I often find rare gems that help me unwind.
Coincidentally, the camera store is located just 5 minutes away from my hotel. Upon entering the shop, I was greeted by an array of cameras, including the Leica M3J and several Noctilux models. The shop is beautifully designed, very cosy, and walking into it feels like stepping into a Kitamura Leica section, but in Seoul. Meeting Kevin, and Jongjin CEO, was a pleasure. He later shared that the area was traditionally known for selling film camera equipment, while a nearby street was dedicated to digital cameras.
If you find yourself in Seoul or are on the hunt for something rare that you’ve seen on their website, don’t hesitate to send them a DM on Instagram!
Sajinjib
Address: 25 Toegye-ro 27-gil, Chungmuro 3(sam)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
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4 Comments
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Thank you for visiting our shop !
We hope to meet again in Hong Kong or Seoul soon 🙂
And also, We always expect to TAHUSA’s upcoming new items too.
-Kevin-
Hey Kevin, thanks for inviting us to the store and it was a lovely chat with you at the cafe.
Best, Anson
Hi Anson, was the replacement of the original red leather to Shrunken calf grey done by the fine people from Jnk-handworks? How long did the whole process take?
Your MP with grey shrunken looks sooooo gooood!!!
Hey Andrew, yes it was done by JnK handworks. I preordered from Fotopia HK, I took around 2-3 hours to complete the replacement. There is a beautiful darkroom themed cafe opposite where you can kill some time there. I suggest you contact them at least a month or more beforehand as they need to see if the leather is available.