Leica M4-2 leatherette replacement

[csisfun]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know where to get some replacement leatherette for the Leica M4-2? Hopefully it's not super troublesome to DIY. Thanks!

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Hello,
did you check www.cameraleather.com ?

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[Ronald M]

My M4-2 has vulcanised rubber, not leatherette. I believe the switch over point was when the M4-P got the zink M6 top plates/flat windows.

 

[csisfun]

Hello.

Yes, I've checked cameraleather.com.

Oh, then where do I get vulcanised rubber? I'm interested in the original thing. Thanks!

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Hm,
unfortunately, I can't help you with that one.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[JNewell]

My M4-2 has vulcanised rubber, not leatherette. I believe the switch over point was when the M4-P got the zink M6 top plates/flat windows.

True, but not helpful. You can't replace vulcanite, and you can't even really repair it very well.

Oh, then where do I get vulcanised rubber? I'm interested in the original thing.

Not possible...

I recently recovered my M3 with cameraleather.com's "griptac" and would highly recommend it, both for looks and function.

I'd also highly recommend his alternative installation suggestion to use Purrell hand sanitizer as the installation medium.

 

[yoyo22]

More cheap than cameraleather, but of a great quality is http://aki-asahi.com/store/ .
I got his #4008 leatherette on my M2 and it's really close to the original vulcanite.

Pascal

 

[yoyo22]

Hello.

Yes, I've checked cameraleather.com.

Oh, then where do I get vulcanised rubber? I'm interested in the original thing. Thanks!

If you want the "original thing", then you have to send your camera to CRRLuton. They will disassemble your camera, remove the old vulcanite, heat the body shell up to 150°C and apply new vulcanite. Follow this link to learn more.

 

[laptoprob]

Another vote for Aki. I've got his wine red, gorgeous!

 

[payasam]

To my knowledge, CRR Luton are the only people who do replacement vulcanite. Cameraleather is well spoken of, and my experience with Aki-Asahi was excellent.

 

[splitimageview]

Unfortunately I can't ever seem to get CRR Luton to respond to any inquiries, either fax or email...

 

[JNewell]

If you want the "original thing", then you have to send your camera to CRRLuton. They will disassemble your camera, remove the old vulcanite, heat the body shell up to 150°C and apply new vulcanite. Follow this link to learn more.

Far out - I stand corrected! Are there any reports on how it holds up?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Maybe Leica UK would do it? But it wouldn't be cheap - they did re-skin my MP in the current vulcanite version that's on the MP3. It took Leica UK less than a week to do this for me.

 

[yoyo22]

Unfortunately I can't ever seem to get CRR Luton to respond to any inquiries, either fax or email...

Just give them a ring. That's the best way to get in touch with CRR Luton.

 

[yoyo22]

Maybe Leica UK would do it? But it wouldn't be cheap - they did re-skin my MP in the current vulcanite version that's on the MP3. It took Leica UK less than a week to do this for me.

Are you sure it's a real vulcanite? I don't think Leica still produces any real vulcanite coverings anymore.

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, I first tried the least expensive ways of getting in touch with CRR. I don't know why some businesses bother with posting email addresses and fax numbers, however, if they never bother to respond to them. Hopefully their Leica work is a lot nicer than their mess of a website, too...

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Are you sure it's a real vulcanite? I don't think Leica still produces any real vulcanite coverings anymore.

Pascal, it matches my M4 and M4-2 in looks, perhaps a bit more "bumpy" in texture on close inspection and it's just a "grippy" in feel if not more. As to whether its' the real Leica vulcanite doesn't concern me, the fact that it's tactile does!

 

[visiondr]

I've been interested in replacing the cover on my stock MP with something akin to vulcanite. I could DIY but, 1) I've heard the stock MP covering is a bugger to remove, and 2) will the new skin stick well and not come off in the corners and edges with time. Does anyone have any experience and/or suggestions here?

 

[Bill58]

I can vouch for the Cameraleather "Griptac". It's awesome. Like the name implies, it's sticky to the touch.

 

[Rik]

i have replaced the vulcanite on a M2 with Aki Asahi cover and its excellent, both in quality and fit. And very cheap as well !