just ordered from aki

[former member]

Okay, It's the backup for the ZI. You use a 35 on the ZI. Need an M2 to backup the ZI's 35...

Essex patched the Vulcanite on my M3DS. You had to know where the missing piece was to notice it at all. Not hard to do.

Stripping Vulcanite from Leica: hard.
Stripping Leatherette from Canonet: Hard.
Stripping the covering from a Retina: easy.
Stripping Vinyl from a Polaroid SX70 Model 2: 4 hours. looked good afterwards.


Buy a Retina.

 

[back alley]

nah!
35 on the zi
50 on the m3
25 on the zi
90 on the m3 (also 135)

 

[former member]

Okay.

Just capture it with your digital camera and post a "how to" in the repair section.

Be careful with the sharp instruments.

And Glue.

 

[back alley]

i hope the sight of blood doesn't disturb anyone...😉

 

[harry01562]

If the vulcanite is missing just that small a piece, I'd think about a patch job, first. Use liquid electrical tape, and build it up with toothpick applications. Just do it in a well ventilated room.... you can loose brain cells from the vapours. I know I need all I have, just to type and breath at the same time. YMMV

After the repair, follow Brian's advice, if you get the right deal on a bad looking M2 or M3. With your love for 35's, the M2 is a real good choice.

Harry

 

[back alley]

all things being equal i have no problem with the camera as is.
it is hardly noticeable in use or in pics of the camera.
in fact, with the m grip on the camera it is really hard to see.

i want to change the cover to have something a bit different, for me.

 

[back alley]

not that i would turn down an m2 at the right price.

 

[scottgee1]

Are those actually snakeskin?

I kind of like the idea of something like that for my Canonet, but I don't believe in using exotic skins.

Correct me if I'm wrong (and we know that in this crowd someone will 😀) but isn't the standard Leica "vulcanite" a different way of saying "sharkskin"?

ScottGee1

 

[wlewisiii]

joe, getting the old Vulcanite off will be 1000x more difficult than putting one of the Aki Asahi kits on. I put one on my Kiev 4 a while back and was stunned at just how simple it really was.

The danger for me is that he has lizzard yellow available for the CL... 😱

William

 

[lkgroup]

Here are a couple Kievs, one has a Skin from Akai. It was very easy to put on.

They both have Wrist Straps from Gordy.

Leo

 

[laptoprob]

Joe, when I had left my M2 in the conservatory in the sun for a while the vulcanite just fell off. Big pieces anyway. So a little warming does help.
The IIf did not need any warming, the vulcanite almost completely fell off.
If you need extra equipment, a sharp knife and small flat screwdriver works miracles. You do not have to unscrew bits, but it makes putting on the new skin easier.

Good luck!

Rob.

 

[Kyle]

As already said, the only thing that sucks with the whole process is removing the leatherette. The new covering installation couldn't be simpler. It took me only a few minutes to put the covering on once the vulcanite was off.

Check out this page if you haven't already, though
http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/install.htm