Aki Asahi 4008 vs 4040 covering

M

mdwsta4

Matty Westside
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I just got back from a two week trip to Hawaii where the near perfect vulcanite on my M2 decided to crack and fall off in decent sized sections. I may be able to super glue on the larger pieces, but at this point I figured I may as well just replace it all.

I've used Aki Asahi skins on my old M9 replacing the sharksin with 4034 and was extremely pleased with the results. It seems as though most are going with 4008 on the M2/M3 vs 4034 I assume because it's less glossy.

http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/M2-button/LeicaM2button.php

There are also options for 4040 and 4044. Does anyone have any pictures of them? What does "Leica embossed" mean?


Thanks!
 
Hi, the 4034 is not available anymore. I wrote to aki-asahi and confirmed it. It was the best, IMO, matched the newer Leica Vulcanite, the one used on the M9, M8.2, etc. and had larger bumps and was shinier, very attractive and provided more grip.
Now, I think the closest you'll get from AA is the 4008. If you wanted to get fancy Cameraleather has one made from real leather for about $60, I think it's called black beauty. Bob.
 
yeah its a shame he doesnt have 4034 anymore. Ive used 4008 on my last 3 Leicas and its close to the vulcanite on the M2, but not super close (not as bumpy and less of a shine). 4040 is very flat. Nothing like the picture on his site or the real thing. Like nathor said, 4008 as close as you will get...at least reliably. I believe Cameraleather.com does offer something slightly closer. Its called "Black Beauty". But from the reports on this forum, he's been a tad flakey lately, so you might have to wait awhile...But for what its worth, I have bought scratch guards from him, a couple of times in the last year, and he's been really quick to send and respond. I guess he has a stock of those and its no big deal. Special orders, I assume are a different story.

edit: ha, I didnt read nathor's comment about black beauty, so yeah we're on the same page :D
 
Another vote for Griptac. I put it on a IIIc with hopeless vulcanite and have found it to look good and its much easier to hold on to. Let us know what you decide. Joe
 
A sad, sad thing: mailed Aki to order a sheet of #4008, received an reply (to my horror):

I am sorry to inform you that 4040 and 4008 is no longer available since the factory has finished production. I do not have enough stocks to sell uncut sheet. My apologies for this inconvenience caused.

I mean what else could we cover our cameras with? Hugo studio?
 
I have never been a big fan of Vulcanite in 60 years of using Leicas. If the original Vulcanite on a pre-war camera is undamaged, I will leave it for historic reasons and have found that the original colour can be restored, if like my grandfather's Model II (D) it has gone khaki and blotchy. I clean it with cotton buds and automobile upholstery cleaner. I then use Simoniz black trim and rubber colour restorer, as Vulcanite is made from rubber. When the Vulcanite is damaged, I never try to glue it back together but replace with textured black leather.

I used to use Cameraleather's Levant black or Rollei Black Beauty, particularly liking the latter but I just cannot be bothered any more with Morgan's shenanigans. He still owes me for a replacement or refund when he sent the wrong item. He does not reply to emails for months if ever and generally is a pain in the butt to deal with. I now use the super efficient Aki-Asahi.

My M7 was away for a total rebuild to rectify many problems caused probably by a very poor previous service, which resulted in the motor drive shaft/intermediate gear spindle suffering a total fatigue failure and shearing. Sadly before I could specify, the camera after the rebuild was recovered in a new Aki-Asahi 4008 Vulcanite synthetic cover. I have a black textured leather cover coming from Aki-Asahi, which is due for delivery today. The other folks I have used again with success are Hugo Studio in the USA.

Wilson
 
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