Cheapest replacement covering for my M2 that will look original?

[Keith]

Amazingly this is the first M or any Leica camera I've owned that has started shedding it's vulcanite. A chunk has come away around the lens release button and that whole area seems to be lifting so it's only a matter of time before it gets 'really ugly' I supect.

I just want the least expensive covering that will look original and be relatively easy to fit. Is Asahi back in business yet ... if not what are the options?

Thanks in advance. 🙂

 

[maddoc]

I used grip-tack for recovering of my M4-P (originally vulcanite-covered), it comes quite close cosmetically, handling is much better than vulcanite and is dead cheap. 🙂

 

[Keith]

Who has that Gabor?

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I bought some Levant Black leather replacement from Cameraleather.com, and it looks great on my M2. I'd highly recommend their product, but beware of possible long turnovers on getting it. It's not that they do a bad job, but their customer service isn't the best. I had to remind them a few times of my order. Very easy replacement though, and looks extremely close to the original.

 

[chris7521]

I bought some Levant Black leather replacement from Cameraleather.com, and it looks great on my M2. I'd highly recommend their product, but beware of possible long turnovers on getting it. It's not that they do a bad job, but their customer service isn't the best. I had to remind them a few times of my order. Very easy replacement though, and looks extremely close to the original.

Yes, prepare to wait....and wait! I still have not received my covering I ordered back in November. I never received a confirmation of my order and he will not answer e-mails. So if that sounds good to anybody..please think again:bang:

 

[Keith]

That's OK I'm in no hurry ... I don't use the camera a hell of a lot!

I checked their site ... the griptac was about $25.00 USD.

 

[Mister E]

Griptac is nice, but Levant Black Leather for $50 is what your Leica deserves!

 

[maddoc]

The leather coverings look nicer but only when new and will get slippery faster than grip-tack. Also, grip-tack (or any other synthetic compound material), is more resistant regarding fungus (not that important in dry climate zones but for sure in Japan and South East Asia in general).

 

[rxmd]

I second the Griptac suggestion. I put it on my M5 (the order was delivered within a week), it looks pretty close to the original and handling is much improved.

 

[Shac]

Keith - I used Aki-Asahi - great guy to deal with - good prices and quick service - also easy to fit - he has instructions on his site
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/M2/LeicaM2.php or http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/M2-button/LeicaM2button.php

I used the latter for my M2 - also used his cover for a IIIc - very pleased

 

[dyao]

I disagree about grip tack - it doesn't look at all like the original. For one thing, it's a much lighter shade of black.

Aki asahi's come closest from what I've seen of pics online

 

[maddoc]

I disagree about grip tack - it doesn't look at all like the original. For one thing, it's a much lighter shade of black.

Aki asahi's come closest from what I've seen of pics online

Griptack is not that deep black as original vulcanite but comes close. I did not change the - intact - original vulcanite back-door covering of my M4-P, so both coverings in comparison look like this:

 

[chris7521]

Griptack is not that deep black as original vulcanite but comes close. I did not change the - intact - original vulcanite covering of my M4-P, so both coverings in comparison look like this:

The covering looks good even if it's not quite the same, though it would bug me to leave one different piece on there😉 As long as you can live with it...
Edit:
I ordered this one from cameralether but have yet to receive it's. It called "black beauty" And i hope it is!

http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/m2_bb1.jpg

 

[dyao]

My M4-2 is the reverse of yours - original vulcanite on the body and griptac on the back door.

Another thing is the 'grain' of the griptac is very different from the vulcanite. After somebody mentioned that it's used for grips on golf clubs, I can't get that image out of my mind. I don't think I'm going to cover my m4-2 in griptac, but unfortunately Aki Asahi doesn't offer M4-2 covers, and everybody says black levant orders take a really long time from camera leather.

 

[fbf]

CameraLeather covering is easier to install than the Aki-Asahi covering. The latter is so much tighter and sometimes can be tricky to use.

 

[dyao]

Also the griptack is not as thick as the original vulcanite - so there will be a little ridge around the top and the bottom where the griptac meets the top and bottom covers.

 

[35mmdelux]

DIYS Griptack

 

[sc_rufctr]

Also the griptack is not as thick as the original vulcanite - so there will be a little ridge around the top and the bottom where the griptac meets the top and bottom covers.

That would bother me big time. (I'm strange that way 😉)

Is the CameraLeather covering as thick as the original vulcanite?

 

[normclarke]

Replacement Vulcanite

Replacement Vulcanite

I have used the Aki-Asahi product in the past and been very pleased with the service and the result. I used the backing to make my own set from a leather brief case that had just the right texture, worked fine on my 'beat up' M1 that I restored from a wrecked remnant.

Best,

normclarke.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I would prefer Aki-Asahi above stuff from Cameraleather for two reasons:
1. cameraleather stuff is too thin and in that respect doesn't compare at all with the original (look close at photos of camera's covered with stuff from cameraleather and you'll see that the metal topcover and base plate always stick out a little),
2. Aki-Asahi is cheaper.

Further Griptac is fine as long as you don't mind that your Leica is gonna look like a zorki 🙂