[Leica] Re: Leica non-slip grip

[LRZeitlin@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/14/04 6:18:12 AM, 
owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us writes:

<< Does anyone know if the M7 covering material can be fitted to the M6TTL?

Lastly is the checkered vinyl from cameraleather.com the most slip free

material available? >>

The answer to your last question is NO. There are some much better non slip 
materials than checkered vinyl. Here is a repeat of a Leica covering method I 
posted a couple of years ago.

RECOVERING A LEICA

Vulcanite is Leica's cruel joke on Leicaholics. It becomes brittle with age 
and flakes off at the slightest excuse. Even Leica has abandoned Vulcanite on 
the new MP, substituting a textured PVC covering. 

I have recovered several user LTM cameras, an M3, and an Olympus OM1 with 3M 
Safety Walk Nonskid Tape and have found it to be significantly better in 
appearance and handling ease than the original aged and battered Vulcanite. The 
nonskid tape is a resilient textured rubberlike material sold in hardware stores 
for $1.99/ft. in a 2" width. It comes in black, grey, and white colors with an 
adhesive back. The 2" width is perfect for Leica bodies. I wouldn't recover a 
valuable collector quality Leica but it is just the thing for a hard working 
user camera. You can also play around with people's minds. I covered a IIIc in 
grey and panic fellow Leica fans when they think I am taking a Luftwaffe 
model on hiking trips in the Appalachians.

The process is quite simple. Remove the cracked Vulcanite from the camera. 
That's the easy part. Next make a paper cutting pattern for the nonskid 
material. Be very precise in marking the position and outline of the lens mounting 
flange, the strap lugs, and the baseplate lug cutout. Indicate the exact position 
of the two shell mounting screws and the slow speed dial on the LTM models. 
The paper pattern should wrap around the body shell and be joined just below 
the center of the lens mounting flange. When you are satisfied that the pattern 
is as good as you can get it, cut the nonskid material to the same shape using 
a sharp Exacto knife. Since the 2" tape edges are perfectly straight, I have 
found it easiest to use one side for the upper edge of the covering, the part 
that fits next to the top plate. Use a leather punch to cut precise holes for 
the strap mounting lugs and the shell mounting screws. 

When the covering is cut to shape remove the backing paper and align it to 
the camera. The sticky adhesive permits some movement as long as it isn't 
pressed hard to the underlying surface. When you are satisfied that the nonskid 
material is correctly positioned, press it into full adhesion. The adhesive sticks 
pretty well immediately and sets quite strong within 24 hours. Check to see 
that the baseplate fits correctly. Slight corrections can be made with a sharp 
razor blade. If you've made an unfixable error, rip it off and try again. The 
stuff costs only about $2 per camera.

When you are done you will have a Leica that looks as good as new (at least 
the covering) and handles a lot better. True to its name, the nonskid material 
permits a firm grip on the camera and absorbs and cushions slight impact 
better than the factory covering. If you hate Vulcanite and don't want to spend 
$100 on a custom cover give this a try.


Larry Z
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