Aki Asahi Custom Covering Kit for Leica M8

efix

efix

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Finally, Aki Asahi are offering replacement leatherettes also for the digital Leicas (M8 only though, but it should fit the M9 as well.)

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http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/M8/M8.php

I will order one, as I really can't stand the standard M8 "sandpaper" covering ...
 
Just received the #4034 "Pebbled Emboss" leatherette today and reskinned my M8 right away. Pictured here with the Zeiss 50mm Planar ZM, Leicagoodies Sling and 9days.hk silver chrome mini soft release.

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RFA said:
Very nice, how difficult was it to remove the existing cover?
Ron
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It was pretty sticky. I used a small knife to loosen it on the rear left hand side, then it came off quickly. On the right hand side, the warmth of my hand when holding the camera must have made the glue even stickier, and I ripped the covering apart when I pulled it off. I also got a lot of residual adhesive on the right hand side. Important to clean that off before attaching the new leatherette ... Also, if you can find a tool to unscrew the frameline preview lever, do it. It was pretty fiddly getting the leatherette over the lever without damaging it.
 
Just one point. Aka Asahi has a guaranty warning on his website. I can tell you from repeated experience that replacing the covering will in no way impair your guaranty!
 
jaapv said:
Just one point. Aka Asahi has a guaranty warning on his website. I can tell you from repeated experience that replacing the covering will in no way impair your guaranty!
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Thanks jaap -- indeed I was wondering about his warning when I read it, as I had never heard of anything like that before. At the outmost, I heard Leica would simply replace it with the standard covering when the camera went to service and needed to be opened up. That's in fact my only fear at this point ... :p
 
efix said:
Thanks jaap -- indeed I was wondering about his warning when I read it, as I had never heard of anything like that before. At the outmost, I heard Leica would simply replace it with the standard covering when the camera went to service and needed to be opened up. That's in fact my only fear at this point ... :p
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I sent an M9 in with some rather flashy lizard covering - Leica liked it so much that they replaced it by a-la-carte leather for free :)
No precedent, it was a courtesy - if they have to strip off the leather they will contact you for instructions on the new lcovering - there will be a price for extras.
 
jaapv said:
I sent an M9 in with some rather flashy lizard covering - Leica liked it so much that they replaced it by a-la-carte leather for free :)
No precedent, it was a courtesy - if they have to strip off the leather they will contact you for instructions on the new lcovering - there will be a price for extras.
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I found that the A La Carte black lizard on My M7 0.58X didn’t wear very well and replaced it after a couple years with actual black lizard from Cameraleather. Real lizard skin seems to be tougher stuff, and it looks more interesting too.
 
Nicolai said:
Will replacing the leatherette lower the value of the camera?
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Do you have an M8 to use it or to sell it? If you have it to use it, don't worry about the resale value. A leatherette with a properly pronounced texture makes it so much nicer to hold and handle.
 
I have the camera for the purpose of using it. But I was just wondering if people would steer away from a M8 that had a replaced leatherette (If I were to sell the camera in the future).
 
I am definitely backing these kits so far. Changed out the skin on my M9 earlier in the month and thoroughly enjoy the quality and feel of Aki's. Especially considering the price, I am more than pleased with the result.

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4034
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mdwsta4 said:
I am definitely backing these kits so far. Changed out the skin on my M9 earlier in the month and thoroughly enjoy the quality and feel of Aki's. Especially considering the price, I am more than pleased with the result.
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I have Aki on most of my Leicas. And I like my A&A straps, and my Eames chair, too :)
 
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