6-bit encoding on old lenses

[Cranialstrain]

Hi All,

Sorry if this is a subject already covered, but a quick search didn't reveal anything obvious!

I'm about to purchase an M8 to go along with my M6 and wondered if anyone could recommend someone UK based who can 6-bit encode my existing lenses? I have a total of 3 lenses to get done, and although I have seen 'DIY efforts' I would rather get them done by someone reasonably expert.

Many thanks,

CS.

[kbg32]

I believe you may have to send them to Leitz in Solms, Germany. Give them an email or a call.

[Joe Mondello]

I *think* you get coupons in the M8 box for free coding for 2 older Leica lenses -- or is that just if you buy a new Leica lens?

NO NO NO I was thinking of the 2 IR filters! Sorry!!!!

[JohanV]

Originally Posted by Joe Mondello

I *think* you get coupons in the M8 box for free coding for 2 older Leica lenses -- or is that just if you buy a new Leica lens?

I didn't find any coupons like that in the box of my M8 :-(

[Grober]

Originally Posted by Joe Mondello

I *think* you get coupons in the M8 box for free coding for 2 older Leica lenses -- or is that just if you buy a new Leica lens?

No such coupons in the box with any M8 that I know of. I believe you may mean the USA-only promotion that bundled two Leica USA coupons for the 6-bit coding of two already-owned Leica lenses when you purchased one new Leica M-lens from an approved dealer in the USA. I don't think that offer was made in any other market.

My own experience with sending a Leica lens to Leica (in New Jersey, USA) for coding was postive. My 21mm was gone for about four weeks earlier this year and now waits for a Leica E60 IR filter that should be sent from Solms next week, if the currently announced schedule holds. I have two more Leica lenses that I'll send in for encoding as time and budget allow: 35 & 75 Summicrons.

Of course, only certain Leica lenses listed on Leica's official website are encodable. Check it out before you send any lens to any Leica service outlet to avoid disappointment.

Filter availability note: I received an e-mail from Solms today informing me that my other requested filter, an E49, will be FEDEXed to me this week.

For the record: yes, I'd greatly appreciate a future release of firmware which allows the operator to tell the camera which lens is mounted. However, this will be slow in coming since allowing this change would dilute the "need" to have your lenses encoded, yes?

-g

[noordin]

Originally Posted by Joe Mondello

I *think* you get coupons in the M8 box for free coding for 2 older Leica lenses -- or is that just if you buy a new Leica lens?

Nope, no coupons for lens upgrade in my M8 box (only 2 free filters) nor any enclosed in my Tri Elmar 16-18-21mm box.

The local sole importer quoted Euro90 for the upgrade and the lens have to be sent to Leitz, Germany and takes 2 to 3 weeks.

[Olsen]

Originally Posted by noordin

Nope, no coupons for lens upgrade in my M8 box (only 2 free filters) nor any enclosed in my Tri Elmar 16-18-21mm box.

The local sole importer quoted Euro90 for the upgrade and the lens have to be sent to Leitz, Germany and takes 2 to 3 weeks.

I bought my M8 in Singapore (Cathay Photo). Neither there or here in Norway have such an offer/campaign been made. Two free filters are supposed to be included when and if you make a claim for then on www.leica.com Most I know have yet to get any filters even though they have been waiting since January this year...

'Coding', which includes new bayonettes and super-adjustment of the lense's focusing tollerance, costs NOK 2000 is performed at the Solms plant only and takes 5 - 6 weeks by now. It is highly reccommended, but includes only Leica lenses. If you have lenses of any other brand you have to improvise and try to do it yourself.

[Terao]

Surely its just a question of Tippex and nail varnish? I believe the encodings are posted online so it should be easy to DIY with a suitable template? It is just an optical system isn't it?

[jarski]

can you find your old lens from this list:

http://www.digital-leica.com/lens_codes/

if so, buy a sharpie and try if you can fool the M8

[clarionensis]

hi, anyone can tell me the coding for cv12 and cv15? thanks.

[jaapv]

Try the WATE and set the camera to 16 mm.

[dkmiles]

I received two certificates for a discount on lens coding with the registration materials.
The certificates expire at the end of this month. I bought a new 35 Summicron. Anyone have thoughts about a good complementary lens that I can buy used and have coded?

[jaapv]

Coding is only needed for short lenses, so in your case I would look at a 21 mm Elmarit

[dkmiles]

Thanks for the recommendation. You think the 21 at 2.8 is a better choice than the 28 at 2?

[Doug]

Choice would depend on which focal length you would find more useful. Speed is nice, but no substitute for angle of view, whichever you need. How about a 24? Nice combo with 35 IMHO, and may be more broadly usable than a 21.

[dkmiles]

The 24 may be the right compromise. The more I think about it, the more I realize the 28 doesn't offer up that much more aov than the 35.
Nice gallery, by the way.

[furcafe]

Contrary to what's printed on them, I believe that Leica NJ's policy is that the certificates are good through the end of the year. Check to confirm, but that's what I was told on the phone a few months ago (or so I remember).

Originally Posted by dkmiles

I received two certificates for a discount on lens coding with the registration materials.
The certificates expire at the end of this month.

[dkmiles]

That's good to know. Takes some of the urgency out of finding a used lens and then comparing the price of coding to the cost of buying new.

[dee]

So ... will my collapsible Elmars work at all on the M8 -

confusedee

[Doug]

I think they'll work fine, Dee, coded or not.

And thank, dk, for the gallery comment.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by dee

So ... will my collapsible Elmars work at all on the M8 -

confusedee

Oh yes:and collapse too without any harm to the M8, despite leica's dire warnings.

Elmar-M 2.8/50, latest version, coded IRcut

[etrigan63]

I'm talking to an old friend of mine who runs CinemaTechnic, a cinematography website. He is a certified Zeiss lens technician and often creates new mount flanges for Zeiss lenses. He is intrigued with the M8 and says he can do the encoding using his CNC milling machine. I will post more info after he gets back from LA and we can work out the details.

[Bob Parsons]

Originally Posted by Cranialstrain

Hi All,

Sorry if this is a subject already covered, but a quick search didn't reveal anything obvious!

I'm about to purchase an M8 to go along with my M6 and wondered if anyone could recommend someone UK based who can 6-bit encode my existing lenses? I have a total of 3 lenses to get done, and although I have seen 'DIY efforts' I would rather get them done by someone reasonably expert.

Many thanks,

CS.

Leica Service at Milton Keynes (tel: 01908256400) can code many of the lenses for you, I think the cost for each is about £75. When I took mine in they couldn't do all, the Noctilux, 75mm Summilux and Tri-Elmar will have to be sent to Solms. The ones they did code were the 21/2.8 ASPH, 24/2.8 ASPH, 28/2.0 ASPH and 35/2.0 ASPH.

Bob.