New covering...

[FPjohn]

Hello:

I've renewed the vulcanite on my IIIb with a little mineral oil and a touch of Elmer's glue. Is there any experience/opinion on the cameraleather, or other, materials as regards grip, feel, or durability?

yours
Frank

[je2a3]

I've been very pleased with Aki Asahi kits on eBay on FSU gear. He also sells Leica M and LTM kits. I'm sure the quality will be similar. Quick shipping to the USA ~ 1 week. I've also used the Micro-tools # 4040 leather when I restored my naked Leica II, it isn't quite like the original Barnack vulcanite and also a fraction of a mm thinner but it is easy to cut and has adhesive backing.


Joseph

[Kyle]

Aki-Asahi's kits are WONDERFUL! The kit I ordered for my M3 is very close to the look and feel of the original vulcanite. I can't speak highly enough about Aki's products and customer service. IMO, his product is better than Cameraleather's (his cuts were far cleaner than the ones from CL). His service is also much better. I've ordered a few times from him, and receive products in 1 week from Japan to US. Cameraleather took over a month to get me my kit. Cameraleather's only advantage is their selection, but if you want an original look, Aki's got it. He should make you a covering out of any material he uses, even if he only lists your camera in one or two colors/materials.

BTW, Aki's prices are MUCH better.

[RML]

I second that. Go for Aki, unless you want some "rare" snake skin or such.

[payasam]

Aki-Asahi. It may be too early to say anything about durability. How many months old is your IIIb?

[FPjohn]

Originally Posted by payasam

Aki-Asahi. It may be too early to say anything about durability. How many months old is your IIIb?

Thanks all for the input. The IIIb has its original covering from October-December 1939-two thin cracks but no loss of material! Not bad for more than 66 years.

yours
Frank

[je2a3]

Originally Posted by FPjohn

Thanks all for the input. The IIIb has its original covering from October-December 1939-two thin cracks but no loss of material! Not bad for more than 66 years.
yours
Frank

If I were in your shoes, I'd keep it original....just my 2 cents....

Enjoy the camera!

Joseph

[SteveM(PA)]

Have you guys replaced your covering even when it wasn't in bad shape? It's good to know Aki can do other colors. I'd love a nice honey brown leather on my iiif rd/st, and as I mentioned before, my vulcanite really STINKS, like a petro-chemical spill...it's actually given me headaches. Although it looks nearly perfect.

I know people complain about the smell of FSU cases, but I actually LIKE the smell of mine, and they tend to impart their stank on the camera itself. I think that musty smell has a certain degree of romance, but my iiif just smells nasty. Hmmm maybe I should just get a case for IT...

[captainslack]

Another vote for Aki.

[JoeFriday]

and 1 vote against Cameraleather.com... their kits are nice, but expect to wait at least 6 weeks to get anything with absolutely no acknowledgement of your order in the meantime

[a.black]

I also vote for Aki, delievery in under a week to the US.

@langdon
I replaced it because there were some spots missing around the straplugs. My backdoor (M4-2) had also lost most of its paint, and I wanted to repaint it.

[payasam]

I don't know what exactly the Aki-Asahi covering is made of, but it is kept in place with an adhesive. The Leitz vulcanite, on the other hand, was applied with a process involving high temperatures. There is an outfit in England, whose name I forget, which does the same sort of process. I wouldn't expect the same sort of durability from stick-on coverings. Indeed, it's perfectly possible that a change of covering every couple of years is more in keeping with the times. As for Cameraleather, the less said, the better.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by payasam

I don't know what exactly the Aki-Asahi covering is made of, but it is kept in place with an adhesive. The Leitz vulcanite, on the other hand, was applied with a process involving high temperatures. There is an outfit in England, whose name I forget, which does the same sort of process. I wouldn't expect the same sort of durability from stick-on coverings. Indeed, it's perfectly possible that a change of covering every couple of years is more in keeping with the times. As for Cameraleather, the less said, the better.

IIRC, that service costs $100+, whereas one of Aki's covers are $19 shipped. If you prep your camera correctly (that is, take care to remove all remaining adhesive) it should last a few years, unless its getting banged around all the time.

[FPjohn]

Hello:

As suggested it may be best to leave it as is. The vulcanite is not fully attached but isn't floating-a good grip still. I wondered about the new coverings as improvements as far as grippable surface etc?

yours
Frank

[je2a3]

Originally Posted by FPjohn

Hello:
As suggested it may be best to leave it as is. The vulcanite is not fully attached but isn't floating-a good grip still. I wondered about the new coverings as improvements as far as grippable surface etc?
yours Frank

Hi Frank,

I know what you mean about having more grip, my other II has the original vulcanite and through the years there's bit less texture for grip . A new cover will definitely give you more grip like the "Leica emboss" from Aki-Asahi.

Anyway I got this II with a stuck shutter and as I was taking it apart for servicing, the vulcanite came off in one piece so I re glued it with rubber "contact" cement, plio-bond should work as well.

Joseph

[Kyle]

As long as you don't get Aki's Japanesque Gold covering, they all are very gripable (is that a word? lol).

[FPjohn]

most likely not!

[payasam]

Frank, for the present it may be best to stay with what you have. You might add a handkerchief, though, to deal with sweaty hands. Kyle, you're quite right about the expense of the English bakery, and I can't see what you're griping about. About the Aki-Asahi covering. If I could manage to get one on to my IIIc without difficulty, then those who have fewer thumbs and reasonable vision should do all right. The body's surface must be prepared, of course. I expect the adhesive will stick to anything, but then you don't want small or large bumps all over, do you? It may be, of course, that strategically located bumps will make the thing more grippable, gripable or something like that or those.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by payasam

Kyle, you're quite right about the expense of the English bakery, and I can't see what you're griping about.

I wasn't aware that I was "griping."

[payasam]

Post 15, Kyle: "gripable". Jus' foolin'.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by payasam

Post 15, Kyle: "gripable". Jus' foolin'.

Gotcha. Sorry for the confusion.