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M8 vinyl vulcanite


monza

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Is it just me or is the M8 rather slippery? I held one for the first time at a local camera shop today, and it seems like, at least for me, the accessory grip is pretty much mandatory.

 

Are there any specialists who can replace the covering with something with more grip?

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Robert, you're not alone. A lot of us see the handgrip as a necessity.

 

I've settled on just using the grip, but maybe others can suggest someone who will re-cover the camera.

 

--HC

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same as howard, i also got the grip from the second day i had my m8, on the other side you can always send it to the leica a la carte service to get it covered with different leathers or vulcanite.

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AFAIK, there is no a la carte service available for the M8, though they are offering an engraving service for the camera top.

 

It would be interesting to know how they view the a la carte service. Is it something they will do when/if the dust settles or does it remind everyone of the worst head-buried-in-the-sand excesses of the Hermes days? Maybe the M8 is not the personalisable product for life than an M7 and an MP especially might be?

 

I have asked cameraleathers.com whether they have any plans for the M8 and they seem pretty lukewarm about it. It would only suit using a camera without a grip since this matches the standard camera. In addition, the covering has to come off for many repairs so I have no idea what happens if a camera dressed in fluorescent orange crocodile skin turns up at Solms for service.

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Robert, you're not alone. A lot of us see the handgrip as a necessity.

 

I've settled on just using the grip, but maybe others can suggest someone who will re-cover the camera.

 

--HC

I found the existing covering very uncomfortable and slippery compared to the older M series. After 8 months use it has worn flat in several places making me question it's long term robustness.

 

Five months ago I asked cameraleather if they would be making a set for the M8 in Griptac material Cameraleather - Colors and materials Griptac black and medium grey They said they were investigating and would let me know. I've since heard from another source there is a warrantee problem and it's unlikely we'll see third party coverings :(

 

Like others I found the grip helpful but even that was slippery. I solved that problem by wrapping it with two strips of self adhesive sports grip held in place by three bands of self amalgamating tape. It gives a soft tactile grip with an octopus like tenacity. :D There is a small gap at the back since there is insufficient room between the grip handle and camera body for the wrap.

 

Bob.

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Bob, any idea what the warranty problem is? I assume Leica will not provide warranty service for cameras with it on, but after our warranties have expired, I don't see what the problem is. Besides, I have one M8 which is well out of warranty already...

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Talking of warranties, my M8 will have spent at least 5 months of it's 12 months warranty either in or travel to & fro Solms!:eek:

 

I am assuming it will be back in November of course.:(

 

In fairness, I should point out that the local importer has loaned me a brand new camera till mine returns.

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I've found a Luigi case with built in grip and the widest Luigi strap to be the perfect solution. I tried the grip and the sling, neither one really did it for me. I wear the camera with strap across my chest bandolier style. Easy to pull up to the eye, secure and great feel and grip. Makes the camera look like an antique to casual observers. People seem less threatened by old cameras like Rollei TLR's and cut you more slack then if you were aiming a DSLR, P&S or cell phone camera at them. I'm not sure why that is but it's one more side benefit of the case.

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Talking of warranties, my M8 will have spent at least 5 months of it's 12 months warranty either in or travel to & fro Solms!:eek:

 

I am assuming it will be back in November of course.:(

 

In fairness, I should point out that the local importer has loaned me a brand new camera till mine returns.

 

Erl,

 

In Europe, warranty is automatically extended for the time that your M8 has been at Solms. This is for every brand and product. I though this was applicable for all Countries (even for Down Under).

 

PS: This should be indicated on the documents given by the manufacturer after the reparation (Warranty prolonged of X months/days) otherwise you must keep the reparation order(s) with you.

 

Cheers!

.

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Guest tummydoc

Up through the M4-P (i.e. cameras originally clad in Vulcanite) the screws that secure the chassis to the body-shell are exposed. Aftermarket covers have holes where those screws are, for future service access. Starting with the M6, a synthetic vinyl covering (except the Titanium and some other special editions which used leather) with an adhesive backing replaced the Vulcanite. Those cover the screws, and must be peeled back for access when the camera is serviced. The adhesives in Leica's proprietary covers is reusable, at least for a time (eventually it hardens and requires replacing if a service necessitates removal). The adhesives in the aftermarket covers are less reusable as well as less removable. The chances to stretch and/or tear one whilst peeling it back is significant, especially the longer its been in place. Re-attaching it in most cases requires the application of a liquid adhesive. The boutique Leica repair shops might muck with them, but more doubtful is what policy Leica's own service department would adopt, especially whilst their work-force is inundated with M8s and irate buyers wanting the quickest turn-around time possible. I was dismayed to see that the M8 featured the rather Spartan texture of the MP, as I've always thought the M7 cover is more elegant and befitting. The faux-Vulcanite pattern as used on several variants of the MP would have been an excellent choice as well.

 

That said I don't use the grip and frankly I find it adds nothing but increased girth to the already-fattened body. Anatomically-speaking what would benefit the M8 most would be a thumb-grip on the rear, as was incorporated on the Minolta-based R bodies with the R5.

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On an aesthetic note, I think the M8's covering looks fine on the silver cameras, but it's a total mismatch on the black bodies. More texture would remedy this.

 

Ergonomically, it is too slippery -- I'd prefer some of the rubbery stuff used by other camera makers. Just my opinion...

 

Larry

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Guest tummydoc

Where's that jovial Swiss chap when we need him;) ? Someone to offer a box of latex exam gloves or a baseball pitcher's rosin bag, with a catchy monosyllabic name such as "the Grab":D

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I know lots of people say that the surface is too slippery, but has anyone actually dropped an M8?

 

Yep:

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