Vulcanite for the MP

[35mmdelux]

Where can vulcanite be obtained? When was vulcanite discontinued as standard for M's?

TKS/

 

[Bill58]

Vulcanite was a product applied w/ heat at the factory and can't be duplicated. Go to Aki-asahi or Cameraleather.com for a close replacement....or better yet, get the tacky feel, not looking Griptac covering from the latter.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Where can vulcanite be obtained? When was vulcanite discontinued as standard for M's?

The original vulcanite came in sheets and was literally melted onto the camera body. It was discontinued permanently with introduction of the M6.

The 'vulcanite' used today on special editions, such as the MP3, and on the M8.2, is made from a rubber compound and affixed by adhesive. Variations of it can be obtained for about $20 from Aki-Asahi in Japan and CameraLeather in the UK.

 

[peter_n]

Cameraleather is in Vermont. Griptac is excellent!

 

[Livesteamer]

CRR Luton in England is supposed to be able to duplicate the vulcanite process. I don't know if they could do an MP. Joe

 

[Beemermark]

Did you ever try removing vulcanite? I did it per the cameraleather instructions but it's not an easy job.

 

[telenous]

Leica replaces the MP sharkskin leatherete for the modern version of vulcanite in their Solms repair centre. The cost is 180E.

.

 

[Paul T.]

The CRR Luton version is definitely the nearest equivalent. Camerleather's Griptac is in the ballpark; Aki Asahi is wonderful to deal with, but his is only a rough approximation.

 

[abenner]

Paul

On my MP Classic (see pics in the classifieds now) is Leica's current iteration of vulcanite. It doesn't really seem much like what you find on an M2 or M3. The newer stuff is more rubbery, glossier, looks and feels nice but certainly not the same stuff.

Aki-asahi's coverings on ebay are very good. He has several variations in covering, including one he calls vulcanette, I have that on an old Leica III, it seems to look and feel more like the classic stuff than what's on my MP. Plus his covers are dirt cheap and will get to you in about a week.

Probably the toughest part would be removing your MP sharkskin...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Getting the old vulcanite off the camera is the biggest problem. It amazes me that some areas of a camera can have badly cracked vulcanite, with entire sections missing, yet right next to the areas that are bare the vulcanite is still stuck in place the tenacity of a bulldog. After you do get the camera body stripped of the old vulcanite installing a new Cameraleather skin is a breeze.

It's way too much trouble getting the old stuff off of the camera to tempt me to replace intact vulcanite with something else purely for cosmetic reasons.

 

[mr_phillip]

Peter at CRR here in the UK patched the vulcanite on my M2 when it went in for a service a couple of years ago, and his work is impossible to distinguish from the original material. He'd definitely be worth getting in touch with, especially with the UK pound so weak against the dollar at the moment.

 

[sanmich]

I can voutch for Aki-Asahi products.
Top notch! and great precision of cut (I think he uses laser cut now)

 

[peter_n]

The vulkanit that Leica offers is available for purchase or installation from them for $150 USD. This is the same covering that is found through the A la Carte program, and that is on several special edition cameras (MP3) and the latest M8.2.

I use an MP3 and a Griptac covered MP and the Griptac provides a much more adhesive feel. It looks a bit industrial but it works incredibly well. When its 90% humidity and blazing hot and you're soaked with sweat the camera will never slip.

 

[adavis47]

As peter n says, Griptac has amazing performance.

 

[Rob-F]

Getting the old vulcanite off the camera is the biggest problem. It amazes me that some areas of a camera can have badly cracked vulcanite, with entire sections missing, yet right next to the areas that are bare the vulcanite is still stuck in place the tenacity of a bulldog. After you do get the camera body stripped of the old vulcanite installing a new Cameraleather skin is a breeze.

It's way too much trouble getting the old stuff off of the camera to tempt me to replace intact vulcanite with something else purely for cosmetic reasons.

Al, what about the newer models? Is it that hard to get the cover off the current MP? Mine is about as grippy as a watermelon seed. I've thought of replacing it, but I don't want to make a mess getting the original one off. You don't have to use paint stripper or anything, do you?

 

[Al Kaplan]

I have no idea about the newer models. I've only ever redone an old M2, with vinyl from Cameraleather. I used mostly elbow grease...LOL,,,and lighter fluid. Mostly elbow grease though. Paint stripper might work. Let us know.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I think the original covering of every MP should be replaced.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is Aki Asahi "Pebble Emboss". Perfect fit and 100% better than the original covering.

Erik.

 

[35mmdelux]

This is Aki Asahi "Pebble Emboss". Perfect fit and 100% better than the original covering.

Erik.

Wow, nice. Thanks.