Camera body recovering. Aki-Asahi

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mkvrnn

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I recently received a recovering kit from Aki-Asahi in Japan for my Leica IIIg and I have to say that I'm absolutely delighted with their service.

Not only is the material extremely close in appearance to the original vulcanite, but it is precisely cut to fit around every part of the camera. It is self adhesive so hopefully fitting should be far easier than messing around with contact adhesive. It arrived in less than a week, beautifully packaged, and their email contact has been fast and efficient.

The only problem so far is that they sent me a kit for a IIIf instead of a IIIg. It is possible that the misunderstanding was my fault, but I emailed them last night and they replied immediately to say that they are sending me a replacement. They don't even want me to return the incorrect item.

What a pleasant change to receive such excellent service! Needless to say I have no connection with the company, but I would absolutely recommend their kits without hesitation. And at £16 including delivery to the UK the kit was great value for money.
 
Reskinned one of my wartime IIIc cameras with their 'fake' vulcanite. No fuss, no problems.

Also recently acquired the Kiev 88 anti-reflection flock kit from them. Very easy to apply.
 
I bought my first cover from them in 2006 and have subsequently bought quite a few kits. Always a great service and the one time it was wrong they rectified it exactly as above. I just ordered some more from them for M2's and 3's.
 
I've ordered a few things from them, always fantastic product and service, to the point where I find myself looking through the product listing just to see if I could do anything else with their coverings.
 
Ordered several times and on one occasion hit the 'jackpot' - got an extra trial embossing cover free! That cover has been surplus until recently when with a bit of careful cutting I've used it on a different camera. Always had very good fast service.
jesse
 
Aki-Ashai is a very well-run operation in every respect, according to my experience. First rate and speedy service, an outstanding product and excellent application instructions and videos on their website. I must say that when I first bought a recovering kit for an Olympus OM I had the greatest fears that I would mess it up. I just never thought I could possible recover a camera with any skill.Follow the instructions, though, and you end up with a highly professional job that looks superb. I've done several now and every one was a great success. As some RFFers have pointed out before, the range of cameras listed could be wider, but otherwise, this company is tops...TW
 
Very friendly, good service, fast.
The fitting of the leathers is absolutely perfect.
recovered my Yashica FX-3.
 
Anyone order from Aki recently? (July 2018)

Anyone order from Aki recently? (July 2018)

OK. Old thread. New question.

I have ordered from Aki-Asahi in the past (e.g., 2014) and it was a straightforward experience. I am attempting to order from them now, but I am thoroughly confused about how to complete my order.

I went through the ordering process at their website and everything went as expected. I found what I wanted. Placed it in the "cart". Entered pertinent information at the checkout page. Then according to the website, I should receive an invoice in my email soon.

The email showed up, but there is no information whatsoever how to complete my order by actually paying (send a paypal payment). Only a re-hash of my order details (item number, total price, etc.)

I searched the Aki-Asahi website and read all the "how to order" information there. Everything went as described except I have no idea how to actually pay, and there is no information about that little detail anywhere on their website.

So I searched RFF and found the paypal email address they used back in 2012. Could this still be their paypal address? I could send my payment to that and hope it works, but that leaves me feeling uneasy.

So I ask again: Has anyone ordered recently, and what did you do? I suppose just knowing what their current paypal address would allow me to complete my order.

BTW, the paypal address I found from 2012 is paypal@aki-asahi.com
 
Thanks Richard,

Clearly, there is a disconnect in the website - ordering process. I'm guessing Aki-Asahi would like to actually receive payment for orders? Right now customers like me have no idea how to pay for orders and I doubt he/they are interested in sending them out for free.

Some revision/clarification/change is in order somewhere.

BTW, I have been very happy with my previous dealing with Aki-Asahi. I don't doubt for a moment that there would be a resolution to this confusion.

However, I'm rather curious what others have done when presented with this impasse?
 
I'd like to reskin my Leica MP to be like the (Leica) M-A covering.
Does anyone know what covering is similar to that on the M-A?

From the website the options seem to be #4008 Emboss or #4040 Leica L-Emboss.

Thanks.
 
I find them a hassle free all round top service and their coverings a top notch too, likewise l covered my IIIg , quick and easy even for someone like me
 
From now on, whatever camera I re-cover, it will be with Aki Asahi. I've never dealt with them directly but I've had Youxin cover both a IIIf and an M4-P with their material. It is second to none and better than real Leica vulcanite now that the original recipe vulcanite on most cameras is outgassing as well as brittle. There really isn't a way to replace that covering with real vulcanite so AA makes the best alternative.

Phil Forrest
 
Hi all.

OK. An update on the ordering process from Aki-Asahi, just so everyone knows the process. Its not obvious from the information at the website:

The shopping instructions on the website are correct. Follow them and select the items you want (add to cart, etc.)

Go to the checkout and fill out the pertinent information as requested...

Aki-Asahi is only accepting Paypal currently. I think you need to enter your Paypal email in the "email" field on the checkout page.

You will receive an email from PHPCart in your email shortly after. This email is nothing more than a confirmation of your order. It will accurately reflect the total payment after volume discounts and such.

At some point within about 24 hours, you will receive 2 more emails. One from Aki-Asahi, the other from Paypal Services.

The Aki-Asahi email is yet another confirmation of your order (with total and so on).

The Paypal services email is an invoice with information for you to actually complete your payment to Aki-Asahi.

I was unaware that the two later emails were part of the ordering process. It is not described on the Aki-Asahi website anywhere and left me quite confused. I don't know if they will revise the website to fully describe what customers should expect. But, if you read this post, you will be "in the know" :)

As mentioned in previous posts. Aki-Asahi is awesome. Great products that I have ordered in the past.....but not for a few years apparently.
 
I have trouble ordering from aki asahi. I need to order minolta autokord covering, but there is no direct way to do so, I am supposed to do it via email. I wrote two of them already, but there is no answer yet. I wonder if anybody has the same experience too
 
I have tried to order Minolta Autocord covering from them as well, but part of the problem is the many different models of this camera. I sent them a picture of mine, and they replied that they could not supply covering to that model. Try to send them a picture, I'm sure they will reply pretty soon. I have only good experiences with this company.
 
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