Recently received a Leitax adapter for my CZ 35-70, and went with the Dandelion chip. Infinity focus is spot-on, but trying to decide on getting involved with actually programming the chip. Instructions are sort of ambiguous, and not really sure if its at all worth it. Also, it appears in the instructions that its only programmable up to f/11...is that true? I took a few sample test shots using hyperfocal distance, and the lens performed as expected at f/22 (as a landscaper, I'll typically shoot hyperfocally at f/22 when I have a very close foreground object that needs to be in focus at a particular distance). Is the Dandelion not programmable to f/16 and f/22? I may pick up an additional Leitax for another lens, but may forgo the Dandelion chip if it is fact limited to f/11 when programming. Or is there something that I'm missing?
I haven't programmed mine yet, or should say I was not successful, but f/11 stands for the number "9" after you enter one of the program modes. Their worksheet example for setting the FL might help to show this best (or maybe not).
"F5.6 + 5 digits – focal length change.
The digits are to be entered from greatest to least. If the focal length is less than 5 digits, add zeros. For example, for 50mm: 00050. All five digits have to be entered.
Therefore, to change focal length to 50mm, make shots successively on the following apertures:
F5.6 (command),
F4.0 (the first digit is 0),
F4.0 (the second digit is 0),
F4.0 (the third digit is 0),
F7.1 (the fourth digit is 5),
F4.0 (the fifth digit is 0).
Focal length ranges from 00001mm to 65535mm."
If the 4th digit was "9", you would have to set f/11 to enter that digit, resulting in 00090 for the FL value in EXIF data provided to the camera.
Basically, I hate this chip, and they couldn't have chosen a worse maker, IMO.
Thanks allebaug. I think I'll skip the programming entirely... Or maybe just clear my head and give the instructions another read (but this time more carefully).
Wait a minute. Unless the replacement mount has a mechanical connection to the aperture controls, the chip is supposed to record the MAXIMUM aperture and with Canon, it's import is in allowing focus assist by providing the connection and data regarding FL, or so was my impression.
It is a pain to program but at least the FL and max aperture is recorded. For a zoom, it presents less of a value in that FL changes aren't recorded. For a Leica that is diffraction limited at nearly the maximum aperture (180 Elmarit APO, 280 Telyt APO) you're infrequently stopping down so the data reflects reality much of the time.
I bought two copies from Leitax last year, both chipped, one for C/Y and the other for Leica R. I put the C/Y on a 35/1.4, was never able to program the chip, and the lens has since given me great exposures in A and M modes on my Canon bodies and now on NEX via EOS adapter. The default max aperture setting on the C/Y chip was f/1.4 from Leitax with no FL setting.
I eventually put the Leitax Leica R on an APO 2x after wanting to use the extender with several R lenses, and decided not to purchase further adapters in favor of more changeable twist-on adapters.
Failure to simply program the chips was a further negative for another purchase.
I have three lenses with Leitax mounts and Dandelion chips, and all work well. One Dandelion chip was not programmable, and David offered to exchange it. Since it wasn't expensive, I just ordered a new one and had it in half the time.
You only program is for the maximum aperture, i.e. f/3.4 in your case. The camera cannot interact with the aperture mechanism, so you will not know what aperture you shot at.
I couldn't trigger the program mode (1 sec, 4 or 5 sec and another one second exposure in M mode, as i recall) with my D700 because the preset times were 1,2 and 8 second exposures and I wasn't aware of how to alter them. I borrowed a D90 that has a 4 sec setting and was able to get it into program mode. The rest was simple. As Carsten reiterates what I mentioned above, only the Maximum aperture is programmed in and in the absence of a mechanical linkage to the aperture control mechanism, no other settings can be registered in the EXIF file.
j.liam wrote:
I couldn't trigger the program mode with my D700 because the preset times were 1,2 and 8 second expossures and I wasn't aware how to alter them. I borrowed a D90 that has a 4 sec setting and was able to get it into program mode. The rest was simple. As Carsten reiterates what I mentioned above, only the Maximum aperture is programmed in and in the absence of a mechanical linkage to the aperture control mechanism, no other settings can be registered in the EXIF file.
So basically, other than having the max aperture recorded in the EXIF, there's really no other benefit to having the chip (unless one prefers to have focus confirmation capability), correct?
I should add that I have zero complaints about the adapter...fits like a champ and my infinity focusing is spot-on throughout the zoom and aperture ranges.
Mike Ganz wrote:
So basically, other than having the max aperture recorded in the EXIF, there's really no other benefit to having the chip (unless one prefers to have focus confirmation capability), correct?
That's correct.
With this caveat however, non-pro Nikons like the D40-D90 (and i believe the D3100 too) require a chipped lens to trigger the meter. Without it, you have to check the histograms to set the correct aperture. On a pro Nikon body, as you may already know, you have the option of entering up to 9 non-CPU lenses into the menu so as to utilize the matrix metering and with AI NIkkors, get auto aperture and correct EXIF data. I have a Leica 28/2.8 without a chip but entered into the menu this way and EXIF files record the FL and max aperture just as if it had a chip. The focus confirmation on Nikons work independently of this, unlike the Canon where, it is my understanding, there must be a CPU communicating with the body in order to get the focus assist and EXIF info
I should add that I have zero complaints about the adapter...fits like a champ and my infinity focusing is spot-on throughout the zoom and aperture ranges.
The replacement mount is precisely machined and after 5 conversions (6 really but sold the lens and re-used the mount on another Leica), never had a single problem.
on a Nikon D700 does the chip actually add any information which I don't get by just dialing the lens into the non CPU-menue? if I read that correct, tha answer is no.
I thought the chip was enabeling the camera to read (and safe in the EXIF) which apperture was actually used in the shot. Is this not correct?
cyra wrote:
I thought the chip was enabeling the camera to read (and safe in the EXIF) which apperture was actually used in the shot. Is this not correct?
For the EXIF file to record anything other than the maximum aperture programmed into the chip would require a mechanical linkage to the aperture mechanism, like ZE/ZF.2 and CV SLII lenses.
cyra wrote:
on a Nikon D700 does the chip actually add any information which I don't get by just dialing the lens into the non CPU-menue? if I read that correct, tha answer is no.
I thought the chip was enabeling the camera to read (and safe in the EXIF) which apperture was actually used in the shot. Is this not correct?
No, the only way you get aperture used during the shot with Nikons and non-AF/AI-P lenses is by using an AI, AI-S or AI-converted lens with correctly entered data in the non-CPU lens menu. You cannot get aperture used via any adapter to Nikon (with the obvious exception of a Tamron Adaptall).
j.liam wrote:
For the EXIF file to record anything other than the maximum aperture programmed into the chip would require a mechanical linkage to the aperture mechanism, like ZE/ZF.2 and CV SLII lenses.
and ZF! I only have ZF lenses and get the full exif data with them. The difference is that I use the mechanical apperture on the lens rather than the wheel on the camera.
mawz wrote:
No, the only way you get aperture used during the shot with Nikons and non-AF/AI-P lenses is by using an AI, AI-S or AI-converted lens with correctly entered data in the non-CPU lens menu. You cannot get aperture used via any adapter to Nikon (with the obvious exception of a Tamron Adaptall).
ok, thank you both for the clarification, then the Dandelion is only doing for a non Pro Nikon what is already possible in a D700 and up in the non-CPU menu.
AI' ing won't be possible either with a Leitax bajonet I guess.
Oh well, not a big deal.
cyra wrote:
and ZF! I only have ZF lenses and get the full exif data with them. The difference is that I use the mechanical apperture on the lens rather than the wheel on the camera.
..and the ZF if you can add it to the non-CPU menu, just like any other AI/AiS lens, of course.
AI' ing won't be possible either with a Leitax bajonet I guess.
Not possible.
In truth, the best of the Leica R's like the APO's are diffraction-limited at or nearly at the maximum aperture so you gain little stopping down. Others, like the 28 Elmarit v.2 are already sharp across the frame @ ƒ/2.8 already and using it wide-open was why you would buy it in the first place.
true. - ok. thanks!
I have just Leitaxed a R 60 Macro vor the D700, but had no time to try it out much yet. Have to set the menu to 58 though, no 60 in the list, but as I only have one lense above 50 like this, no big deal.
I also have a C/Y 50 1,7 sitting here waiting to be Leitaxed, but can't get the last screw open
got the Dandelion anyway since I gathered I need it if I want to use the lenses on a D7000 or a smaller body as well.
Had the same problems with the Voigtländer 90 SLI and I entered '86' instead. Doesn't seem to affect anything except that I know it's not my Nikkor 85/1.4 AIS
The D7000 does have the non-CPU menu, if I recall correctly.
'but can't get the last screw open'
Make absolutely sure the driver head fits perfectly - David's ones do - then make sure it is exactly on axis, and apply plenty of downward pressure, have someone hold the lens square if you can, then make sure the turning force is perpendicular to the downward force and less than the downward force - I use pliers if necessary. If it does not break fairly easily (lots of pressure), leave it and use a very small dab of penetrating fluid, wait an hour and try again.
The screws are quite tight from the factory; I would have preferred tiny embedded allen bolts to countersunk philips heads.
'Others, like the 28 Elmarit v.2 are already sharp across the frame @ ƒ/2.8 already and using it wide-open was why you would buy it in the first place.'
I wouldn't.
'(at f2.8) the Leica-typical dip in the zonal performance at image height of
12mm can be seen in the curves.'
'Stopped down to 5.6 and especially to 8 the Elmarit-R *improves* to a very high level of definition of very fine detail and a even performance over the whole image area. At aperture 8 there is already a small loss in contrast due to the influence of the diffraction effects.'
Quotes are Erwin Puts'. Actually the MTF makes clear the diffraction loss is trivial and only occurs for low spatial frequencies, and you get *much more* fine detail micro-contrast at f8, with great depth of field. Depends what/how you shoot obviously, but if the aim is all-of-frame performance...f8.
I got the Dandelion chipped version of the Leitax for my C/Y 35-70/3.4. Programmed it without a problem.
I have since ordered 4 more Dandelion chips for other lenses, just to keep track of which shots with which lens.
There are cheaper but I researched and found that Dandelion and Optix V5+ were the best build and most reliable. It came down to cost. Dandelion I got for £12 each, Optix are nearly £19. Optix may be easier to programme but once it's done you don't need to do again so I went Dandelion. Also Dandelion come with a curved "L" bracket for adapters with thin edges.
philip_pj wrote:
'Others, like the 28 Elmarit v.2 are already sharp across the frame @ ƒ/2.8 already and using it wide-open was why you would buy it in the first place.'
I wouldn't.
'(at f2.8) the Leica-typical dip in the zonal performance at image height of
12mm can be seen in the curves.'
'Stopped down to 5.6 and especially to 8 the Elmarit-R *improves* to a very high level of definition of very fine detail and a even performance over the whole image area. At aperture 8 there is already a small loss in contrast due to the influence of the diffraction effects.'
Quotes are Erwin Puts'. Actually the MTF makes clear the diffraction loss is trivial and only occurs for low spatial frequencies, and you get *much more* fine detail micro-contrast at f8, with great depth of field. Depends what/how you shoot obviously, but if the aim is all-of-frame performance...f8. ...Show more →
It's a terrible lens. You should stay away from it.
Or maybe just clear my head and give the instructions another read (but this time more carefully).
