Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mike Durling wrote, in part: > > Speaking of Vulcanite, Its odd that my 32 year old M4's vulcanite is > chipping badly while that on my 46 year old IIIF is like new. > Not really. You see, the vulcanite of the earlier, LTM cameras, was actually furnished from the inner layer of the bark of a rare tree that grows in the German Black Forest. It would be collected by young virgins, selected for their delicate fingers and only harvested between 4:30 and 5:15 AM, when the dew ensured that the humidity was such that the material wouldn't be harmed. Then followed an arduous process of curing the material, followed by imprinting of the characteristic vulcanite pattern, which is actually achieved through meticulous hammering with small, ivory hammers by elderly, experienced craftsmen, selected for their delicate white hair. If you look carefully, you'll notice that the pattern of each camera is different, because each craftsmen had to spend their apprenticeship manufacturing their own hammer -- a process that reliable sources (which I'm unfortunately unable to name) tell me took no less than 12 years for the person of average dexterity. Of course, now-a-days, the whole process is ISO 9001 and Y2K certified and the vulcanite is actually an artificially produced material. The old stuff needed some attention, and Leica shops around the world would ensure that there would be a qualified white-haired gentlemen with a small vial of mountain dew on hand, to coat the vulcanite when the camera was handed in for service. But then the depletion of the ozone layer and increased labour costs meant that collecting the mountain dew became too expensive, and the modern stuff just needs to be wiped clean with a pair of Ted's drawers if exposed to sea water, but otherwise is fine. Yep. They don't build 'em like they used to... M. - -- Martin Howard | "Very funny Scotty. Now beam down Interactive Systems Designer | my clothes." email: mvhoward@mac.com | www: http://mvhoward.i.am/ +---------------------------------------