Vulcanite replacement for IIIC?

[Fadedsun]

So, I think the universe has told me it's time to change the vulcanite on my IIIC. I was trying to assemble a hook to hang my cameras on, and the one the IIIC was on came tumbling down and with it, the vulcanite. Completely crumbled on impact. I knew it was going to go eventually because I had to super glue a piece back on a few months ago.

Does anyone know of the best place to order from? I have Aki-Asahi bookmarked, but the site seems to lack information. Even something as basic as what color vulcanite replacement I'm actually ordering. Numbers 1-5 don't exactly tell me what I'm getting. I couldn't find anything on the site that tells me what these numbers mean in terms of color. In any case, I want something that resembles the original as much as possible.

 

[rickp]

i've had good luck ordering from http://www.cameraleather.com/ . i think you'll like the photos and examples of all the leathers and covers on their website.

good luck

rick

 

[02Pilot]

If you go the Japanese version of the Aki Asahi site and run it through Google Translate you can see a lot more info, including photos. A quick look does not, however, indicate the color differences in the IIIc coverings, though it does show the differences in the embossing patterns.

 

[BillBingham2]

While I have never had occasion to do it myself, www.cameraleather.com is where I would go based upon different posts from folks who have over the past 15 or so years.

B2

 

[alphonse2501]

If you go the Japanese version of the Aki Asahi site and run it through Google Translate you can see a lot more info, including photos. A quick look does not, however, indicate the color differences in the IIIc coverings, though it does show the differences in the embossing patterns.

It's note that hard, Aki Asahi has English site:
http://www.aki-asahi.com/store/

 

[02Pilot]

It's note that hard, Aki Asahi has English site:
http://www.aki-asahi.com/store/

Yes, but it has far less information than the Japanese-language site.

 

[FrankS]

I've ordered camera coverings several times from Aki Asahi and have experienced only excellent service.

 

[pagpow]

Griptac Black from Cameraleather has had many indicating that it also improves camera handling, and avoids some of the delays experienced with other leathers from Cameraleather. I have no direct experience, so you might want to check that out yourself.

Giorgio

 

[bucs]

Aki asahi is fast! Good material too

 

[xayraa33]

I re-covered my IIIc with pre-cut material bought from Aki asahi.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I have reskinned two IIIc cameras with Aki-Asahi, no problems.
Great stuff. It's self-adhesive and look very much like the original vulcanite.

 

[Fadedsun]

Could anyone that ordered from Aki Asahi let me know which order you placed? I'm trying to find the one that matches the original vulcanite of the IIIC the most and the site doesn't give me enough information to deduce that.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I've had Youxin Ye cover my old M4-P (now owned by RFFer Jwicksana) with Aki Asahi 4008 material that looked and felt very much like vulcanite. It was perfect. I highly recommend both Aki Asahi and Youxin for making that camera look and feel like new.

Phil Forrest

 

[Vics]

Real Vulcanite can be done by CRR Luton in London. Vulcanite, as I understand it, is applied to the super-heated body and sort-of "melts" on.
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/vulcanite.html

 

[xayraa33]

Could anyone that ordered from Aki Asahi let me know which order you placed? I'm trying to find the one that matches the original vulcanite of the IIIC the most and the site doesn't give me enough information to deduce that.

I used #4040 for my IIIc, it is not 100% the same as Leitz vulcanite but it is good enough.

He sent me type B with the hole by mistake but then sent me the type A that has no hole when I pointed out the difference.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Looks like Morgan (owner of CameraLeather.com) is either overwhelmed or out of the business. I liked his stuff a lot, but ended up ordering from Aki-Asahi a number of times simply because he's a lot quicker. Best of luck!

 

[john neal]

Drop an email (in English) to Aki explaining your need, and you will get all the info you could hope for. I have used both Aki and Cameraleather. Aki is quick and has excellent products, Morgan has excellent products, but they don't always turn up (certainly not quickly, unless he happens to have one that he has already cut).

The real-deal vulcanite is no longer available, what Peter at CRR uses is a modern equivalent that is based on (I think he said) pine resin. It is applied at around boiling point and "ironed" on to match the contours of the body. He can match most of the historical patterns and the final result is excellent.

 

[rgraphex]

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/vulcanite.html I would try to have the vulcanite replaced I think it would be a better value or use Aki. I had problems with cameraleather.com in the past over a linhof and a rolleiflex. I really dont like the rollei leather replacement.

 

[Fadedsun]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. Morgan from Cameraleather did return my emails, and the Griptac sounds very nice, but I ended up ordering the #4040 from Aki-Asahi based on the more overwhelming positive responses about them from your responses.

Once I receive the replacement I'm going to mail everything to Youxin Ye and have him do a CLA. Thanks!