jrc Posted October 7, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 7, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) For people who have experience with Vulcanite - goes it make the accessory grip unnecessary? Are there any downsides to it? JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 7, 2008 Posted October 7, 2008 Hi jrc, Take a look here Vulcanite. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest DuquesneG Posted October 7, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 7, 2008 The only downside I know of is that after 30+ years it gets brittle and starts to chip off. But I thought real Vulcanite (which is actually rubber, and goes on hot) was a thing of the past and that what you get now is just vinyl with a texture like the old Vulcanite. Is that not so? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 8, 2008 Share #3 Posted October 8, 2008 For people who have experience with Vulcanite - goes it make the accessory grip unnecessary? Are there any downsides to it? JC Have no idea about the new covering Leica is installing on the M8.2, is that vulcanite, but if you want a good grip on your M8, or M8.2, put the Camera Leather Griptac on it and you won't need the grip base. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted October 8, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 8, 2008 For people who have experience with Vulcanite - goes it make the accessory grip unnecessary? Are there any downsides to it? JC I use m8 8.2 without the grip sometimes and I think the vulcanite makes up for 75% ish of its utility. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DuquesneG Posted October 8, 2008 Share #5 Posted October 8, 2008 I'll pay Leica $300 to replace the cover when pigs fly, but until then, what's the story with Morgan Sparks and Aki Asahi. Asahi doesn't list the M8 on his site at all so I assume he doesn't support it. Cameraleather shows a picture of something called Griptack which looks a lot like the phony Vulcanite, but according to the site he doesn't sell it as a DIY yet. Does anybody know if that's still the case? I'm not interested in sending him my M8's because the shipping insurance is ridiculous. Plus I've done recovering before and it's no big deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted October 8, 2008 Share #6 Posted October 8, 2008 I'll pay Leica $300 to replace the cover when pigs fly, but until then, what's the story with Morgan Sparks and Aki Asahi. Asahi doesn't list the M8 on his site at all so I assume he doesn't support it. Cameraleather shows a picture of something called Griptack which looks a lot like the phony Vulcanite, but according to the site he doesn't sell it as a DIY yet. Does anybody know if that's still the case? I'm not interested in sending him my M8's because the shipping insurance is ridiculous. Plus I've done recovering before and it's no big deal. Well, a long time ago I asked Morgan for a quote to supply two lots of black Griptac for the M8 and he supplied. I think you just have to ask. For me it made a huge difference in how easy it was to hold the camera. The material is somewhat "industrial" looking for want of a better word but there's no way you're going to drop the camera . When you apply the Griptac with it's self adhesive backing you have to be careful not to pull it around too much as it's more stretchy than the other coverings. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 8, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 8, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) There's lots of threads on this, including one I started, "how to recover your M8" which showed the grey griptac, horrible, but that wasn't the point. I agree it's quite easy. I use Morgan's kid leather on two of my M8s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 8, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 8, 2008 What about the M8.2? Is it vulcanite? Is it vinyl? Is it leather? Does it look and feel better than M8.1 vulcanite? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 8, 2008 Share #9 Posted October 8, 2008 I'll pay Leica $300 to replace the cover when pigs fly, but until then, what's the story with Morgan Sparks and Aki Asahi. Asahi doesn't list the M8 on his site at all so I assume he doesn't support it. Cameraleather shows a picture of something called Griptack which looks a lot like the phony Vulcanite, but according to the site he doesn't sell it as a DIY yet. Does anybody know if that's still the case? I'm not interested in sending him my M8's because the shipping insurance is ridiculous. Plus I've done recovering before and it's no big deal. Just got a griptac form Morgan about 2 weeks ago. Got it about a year ago also. Just email him with what camera you have, M8, and the covering you want. I had to get another griptac cover because Leica NJ replaced one of my cameras and I can't stand the original covering. I also got a Black Beauty with the most recent order. Not sure if I'll use it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DuquesneG Posted October 8, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks. I'll contact him. I really wish Aki Asahi would make a cover for the M8...no idea why he won't (admittedly, I haven't asked him ). I got one of his covers for a half-bald M2 I used to have. $20 including shipping from Japan, it fit perfectly and looked incredibly much like the real Vulcanite. I really don't have any desire to play dressup with my cameras, so the fancy leathers don't interest me. I just want something vinyl that looks close to Vulcanite and doesn't cost much...because whenever I send them for upgrades (probably spring or summer of '09) I know the guys in New Jersey will delight in pulling them off hard enough to ruin them. BTW, do you think in that scenario Leica will charge me $300 to put a stock factory cover back on? If so then I'll hold off until after I upgrade. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted October 9, 2008 Share #11 Posted October 9, 2008 A.F.A.I.K. the M4-P was the last Leica M with a genuine Vulcanite cover. This was rubber which was applied soft and then vulcanized (treated with sulphur) so that it was changed into hard rubber or "ebonite" in situ. All later models have had coverings made of textured PVC with an adhesive backing. Tacky, if you please. The old man from the Age of Sulphurous Leicas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted October 9, 2008 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2008 Lars, do we know yet what the new cover actually is? I mean, real facts, not speculation. It is interesting that the new cover can only be applied in Solms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrc Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted October 10, 2008 There's lots of threads on this, including one I started, "how to recover your M8" which showed the grey griptac, horrible, but that wasn't the point. I agree it's quite easy. I use Morgan's kid leather on two of my M8s. But of all the covers everyone has tried, which seem to be the best for getting a grip on the thing? I'd like to lose the accessory grip, if I could find something better than the original M8 covering. JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted October 10, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 10, 2008 Lars, do we know yet what the new cover actually is? I mean, real facts, not speculation. It is interesting that the new cover can only be applied in Solms. We don't KNOW FOR CERTAIN. But it was changed over to PVC during the 1980's and I have not heard that they have made another change. And the Gnomes of Solms are not happy having other people messing with their product. Never were when they lived in Wetzlar, either ... The old man from the Age of Genuine Morocco Leather (on Contaxes, that is ...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 10, 2008 Share #15 Posted October 10, 2008 For info - it's not the same as the M7. Slightly lumpier. I'd say pretty certainly that it's a variety of vinyl though... 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/64889-vulcanite/?do=findComment&comment=680774'>More sharing options...
epand56 Posted October 10, 2008 Share #16 Posted October 10, 2008 M7 looks much better IMO. I don't really like this stuff "Vulcanite" on the M8.2. I sure prefer the look of the old M8 that, besides, give a very good grip, at least for my purposes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 10, 2008 Share #17 Posted October 10, 2008 Enrico - I'm fine with the new material - prefer it to the covering of the M8.1 which had too little texture IMHO... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGW Posted October 10, 2008 Share #18 Posted October 10, 2008 I've never been troubled by any covering, and the M8 is fine as it is for me. It would be nicer perhaps if Leica just used leather. I wrap the strap around my hand anyway and carry the camera this way; it's always ready to shoot when held like this and is always secure in my hand. Jeffrey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted October 10, 2008 Share #19 Posted October 10, 2008 Jeffrey, I'm used to do as you do since i find the camera hanging from my neck or shoulder boring. I found this item on the internet that you may find useful too Get your SLING for the Leica M! I'm considering buying it since the strap wrapped around the wrist may sometimes be boring too. Chris, you're probably right with the new Vulcanite efficiency with the grip. I had not yet the M8.2 in my hands, mine was just a pure aesthetic opinion. I like the smoothness of the old finish, in particular on the silver one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted October 10, 2008 Share #20 Posted October 10, 2008 But of all the covers everyone has tried, which seem to be the best for getting a grip on the thing? I'd like to lose the accessory grip, if I could find something better than the original M8 covering.I don't have an M8 but I have an MP covered in Griptac and an MP3 covered in Leica's modern Vulcanit look-alike. The Griptac provides by far the best handling. You will not drop the camera with that stuff on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.