johntobias Posted August 25, 2020 Share #1  Posted August 25, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Plastic 'vulcanite' on my M4-2 is fine but does anyone know a UK source for proper vulcanite or leather to replace it with?? Thanks  John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 25, 2020 Posted August 25, 2020 Hi johntobias, Take a look here M4-2 upgrade leather. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Pyrogallol Posted August 25, 2020 Share #2  Posted August 25, 2020 Not in the UK, but Aki Asahi supply a range of different covers. I bought one for a Nikon rangefinder camera, it arrived within a week and it was easy to fit. http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/M4/M4.php  2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted August 25, 2020 Share #3 Â Posted August 25, 2020 I almost said exactly the same thing (well not the Nikon bit). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntobias Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share #4 Â Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Thanks folks, perfect! Â Ordered! Â Edited August 25, 2020 by johntobias Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted August 25, 2020 Share #5  Posted August 25, 2020 The vulcanite on my M3 had a few missing pieces near the lens mount (a very common problem), so I ordered replacement vulcanite from  Aki Asahi.  #4008 is the one you want - it looks identical to the original vulcanite used on M3. The service technician left the original vulcanite in place on the rear flap door because it was still in perfect condition.  I can not see any difference between the grain pattern of the original and the replacement. Cost for the replacement was about $22 including post to UK.  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntobias Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share #6  Posted August 25, 2020 That’s the very one I ordered , it’s only a wee missing bit but the M4-2 hasn’t as nice covering as the preceding models ! Something about budget!  Though it was the camera that saved the M line Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted August 25, 2020 Share #7  Posted August 25, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Do you give us a notice and a photo when its mounted? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted August 26, 2020 Share #8  Posted August 26, 2020 For those interested, one half of this picture is original M3 vulcanite and the other is Aki-Asahi #4008. Anyone want to guess which half is which?  I will post a zoomed out picture with the answer later. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312664-m4-2-upgrade-leather/?do=findComment&comment=4033675'>More sharing options...
johntobias Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share #9  Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) both look better than my M4-2 ...here is the wee (scottish for small) missing bit  I guess the one on the Left is closest to my original covering (1979 M4-2)    Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited August 26, 2020 by johntobias Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312664-m4-2-upgrade-leather/?do=findComment&comment=4033679'>More sharing options...
logan2z Posted August 31, 2020 Share #10  Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) On 8/26/2020 at 6:53 AM, andrew01 said: For those interested, one half of this picture is original M3 vulcanite and the other is Aki-Asahi #4008. Anyone want to guess which half is which?  I will post a zoomed out picture with the answer later. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I'd also say the one on the left is the original M3 vulcanite. Edited August 31, 2020 by logan2z Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted August 31, 2020 Share #11  Posted August 31, 2020 38 minutes ago, logan2z said: I'd also say the one on the left is the original M3 vulcanite. Yes thats right.  When zoomed in it has a distinctive pattern that looks like pebbles that have been pricked with a pin.  You can also see this on the OPs M4 shown above.  Looking from more of a distance it is very difficult to tell the difference.    Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312664-m4-2-upgrade-leather/?do=findComment&comment=4037170'>More sharing options...
logan2z Posted August 31, 2020 Share #12  Posted August 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, andrew01 said: Yes thats right.  When zoomed in it has a distinctive pattern that looks like pebbles that have been pricked with a pin.  You can also see this on the OPs M4 shown above.  Looking from more of a distance it is very difficult to tell the difference.    Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Yeah, the Aki-Asahi looks very close at a distance. If I ever replace the vulcanite on my M4 that's what I'll use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted September 4, 2020 Share #13  Posted September 4, 2020 (edited) On 8/26/2020 at 8:08 AM, johntobias said: both look better than my M4-2 ...here is the wee (scottish for small) missing bit  I guess the one on the Left is closest to my original covering (1979 M4-2)    Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Just for the record - my M4-2 (2001-2009): 1) lost exactly that same corner*, and 2) was definitely the original Leitz Canada vulcanite laminated covering. Hot-molded onto the metal camera. Because I dropped it once, and the hard vulcanite (now 35 years old) blew off like shrapnel from other places. Leica switched to plastic/vinyl only with the M6. ___________________ *Not sure why that point is vulnerable - maybe just that is an exposed corner subject to repeated stress from taking the baseplate off and putting it on. Edited September 4, 2020 by adan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted September 4, 2020 Share #14 Â Posted September 4, 2020 On 8/26/2020 at 9:08 AM, johntobias said: both look better than my M4-2 ...here is the wee (scottish for small) missing bit I've repaired a couple of small spots like that by applying a black epoxy putty and molding the surface to match the texture. Have to look very close to find it. But I've also replaced the back door section and recovered a couple of cameras with the Aki-Asahi materials. The ease of doing that makes the epoxy repairs too complex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted September 4, 2020 Share #15  Posted September 4, 2020 I had some little pieces of vulcanite missing on my M2 which I patched up myself. You could see what I had done but I quite liked the well worn look. After the camera came back from a service my patches had been replaced professionally and now I can’t see them ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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