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OH NO!


Stealth3kpl

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Look what's just happened! All my vulcanite has flaked off. Question is, what to do? I don't want to stick the flakes back on. Do you think light sealing will be affected?

Pete :(

 

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For light leaks use the Tiger Balm :D. No there will be no light leaks.

Either have it restored completely by Malcolm Taylor or remove the rest and replace by Cameraleather "Vulcanite". Or use as-is of course.

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Too late now, but I apply McGuires Rubber and vinyl conditioner found at the auto supply store. Works well on cars too.

 

Vulcanite is rubber that is vulcanised onto the camera. It is a heat process. The rubber deteriorates with time from O three in the air.

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I dropped an M4-2 about 8 years ago and the vulcanite flew like shrapnel (didn't do the RF adjustment any good either ;) ). I had the RF fixed and just put black tape over the missing vulcanite areas to prevent further chipping/peeling at the edges. Used it that way for 5-6 years, and finally had it recovered with M6-style vinyl by Leica (as well as a general CLA) in order to put it up for sale.

 

The only way you might get a light leak is if the vulcanite falls off around a hole in the body (where the shaft of the "R" lever goes through, for example) leaving a gap. I had a totally different M4-2 back in the 80's that leaked light around the "R" lever due to the shaft being too long, meaning the lever was a mm away from the body instead of flush (and no self-timer inside to block the light).

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The camera is what, fifty years old, of course the vulcanite is going to flake! After that many years of exposure to ultraviolet light, ozone and any number of other factors that affect the elasticity of the vulcanite at some point it's going to fail! Either send it to Cameraleather for a new covering or find someone that will do a CLA and new covering at the same time. Better yet use it until all of the vulcanite is off and people will see a photographer getting the most out of their equipment.

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The camera is what, fifty years old, of course the vulcanite is going to flake! After that many years of exposure to ultraviolet light, ozone and any number of other factors that affect the elasticity of the vulcanite at some point it's going to fail! Either send it to Cameraleather for a new covering or find someone that will do a CLA and new covering at the same time. Better yet use it until all of the vulcanite is off and people will see a photographer getting the most out of their equipment.

 

Since when does one consider beat up gear = well used?

 

I consider it improper use if your equipment looks like crap.

 

This goes for people that take sandpaper to their black paint Leica's... you know who you are ;)

 

If i were you, i would DIY. Cameraleather sells what you need, order it (wait 4-6 month) and replace it yourself.

 

A well used camera doesn't need to look like crap :)

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In this context "well-used" means "extensively used," not necessarily "carefully used."

 

If you're diving into foxholes with a Nikon F and M3D clanking together - stuff happens:

 

David Douglas Duncan

 

BTW - since David Douglas Duncan is one of the TWO people for whom Leica built cameras to personal specs, with his initial on the cameras (the other being Alfred Eisenstadt, for whom they built the M3Es), I hope you don't consider his approach to equipment "improper." ;)

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In this context "well-used" means "extensively used," not necessarily "carefully used."

 

If you're diving into foxholes with a Nikon F and M3D clanking together - stuff happens:

 

David Douglas Duncan

 

BTW - since David Douglas Duncan is one of the TWO people for whom Leica built cameras to personal specs, with his initial on the cameras (the other being Alfred Eisenstadt, for whom they built the M3Es), I hope you don't consider his approach to equipment "improper." ;)

 

Some scars are worth mentioning: ie bullet scar from being shot, or a cut scar from being stab... jumping into a foxhole... sand from Iraq...

 

Some arne't...ie... taking sandpaper to your black paint... bumping it against the corner of the door frame...

 

:D

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I am sure that this photo has been posted before, but it shows real use and a few scars. Photo taken from "Leica M - How revolutionary should your camera be?" I wish mine was painted brass instead of black chrome. We know what those look like in a few years. I would rather it look like the one pictured here.

 

Wayne

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I am sure that this photo has been posted before, but it shows real use and a few scars. Photo taken from "Leica M - How revolutionary should your camera be?" I wish mine was painted brass instead of black chrome. We know what those look like in a few years. I would rather it look like the one pictured here.

 

Wayne

 

Yes it's been posted, and reposted and rereposted :)

 

My point stands.

 

If your camera looks like that, i hope it's because its been well used.

 

Not because of sandpaper or abusive usage.

 

Some people simply try too hard... :rolleyes:

 

Yesterday i saw a Nikon F3 at a gentleman's house that had almost no black paint left. Why? Because he used it everyday for his photojournalism work for a couple very long years.

 

THAT'S beautiful.

 

The news press bought him 2 new one's, one for work and one as a reward.

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Since when does one consider beat up gear = well used?

 

I consider it improper use if your equipment looks like crap.

 

You haven't been running through hell with a couple cameras banging together. I know that because you are still alive, and woosy-fussy.

 

But you won't be alive forever. So may your pristine Leicas enjoy an infinite life.

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You haven't been running through hell with a couple cameras banging together. I know that because you are still alive, and woosy-fussy.

 

LOL - Pico - take a look at the book titles! Stealth3kp might be one to dangle off mountains in rough wilderness. :D:D

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I've not much time for one Leica never mind 2 on these things:

https://picasaweb.google.com/100975167704112241520/IceClimbingCanadaColoradoNorwayScannedSlides#5134694376243643410

I leave the camera at the bottom :D

Pete

 

OMG - you ARE serious. I've broken out in cold sweat just looking at that. (and not joking, palms dripping on keyboard, hectic!) :D:D

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