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Archive 2021 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses

  
 
M_Wales
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


I'm wanting to code my lenses, but not sure of which codes to use for them that work the best. I would appreciate recommendations from those that have coded before and what has worked for you.

I have the following:

Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f2 (v1)
Voigtlander Nokton 35mm 1.4 MC II
TTArtisan 50mm 1.4 (someone recommended the Leica 50mm Summilux asph)

Thanks for looking
Mark




Aug 09, 2021 at 07:05 PM
genji
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


This list is quite old but it’s the only one that attempts to match third-party lenses to Leica lenses (most lists assume you wish to manually add the 6-bit codes to your lenses rather than just enter an appropriate equivalent Leica lens via the camera menu). I always enter an appropriate code so that the lens information is recorded in the EXIF then use Exif Editor so that the EXIF reflects the lens I actually used.

https://lavidaleica.com/content/leica-lens-codes#codes



Aug 09, 2021 at 07:56 PM
rscheffler
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


There are two reasons to code: 1) for correct focal length info in EXIF, if that matters to you; 2} to reduce or eliminate undesirable color shifts caused by the interaction of short exit pupil distance rangefinder lenses with the sensor.

For the second reason, sometimes the best code isn't one that matches the lens's focal length. It's a matter of doing test shots of a white wall, overcast sky, or similar, across a range of codes and evaluating the results on the computer to determine which provides the best correction.

In any case, for your lenses, I'd start with the 28 Cron v1 code for the VM28, the 35 Lux pre-ASPH for the VM35/1.4 (its design is supposedly inspired by the Lux pre-ASPH), and as you already surmised, the 50 Lux ASPH code for the TTA 50/1.4.

Of those, the 28 might be the most problematic if you're picky. Maybe try the various 28 Elmarit codes if the Cron's code doesn't look good.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're picking codes from the camera's menu rather than physically painting them on the lens mount, any lens that has only been available since the onset of 6-bit coding is not available in the menu. The only option is to paint its code on the lens mount.



Aug 10, 2021 at 01:05 AM
retrofocus
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


Only one of my M lenses is coded - my newest one, the Leica 35/2.4 Summarit-M. What I sometimes do is manually selecting the specific uncoded M lens accordingly in the Leica camera menu on my M 240. I didn't observe much if any difference so far by doing so or not doing it. The manual lens selection has the debit that I tend to forget to set it back to automatic or another lens after I switched lenses.

Professionally coding Leica M lenses costs - other than the time and effort to ship - $300 per lens. Much too much what I would be willing to spend for this.



Aug 12, 2021 at 08:59 AM
M_Wales
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


I did find one of the Match Technical M Coder kits from someone here on FM, but after coding 3 of my lenses the 4th just wouldn't work.

I created 4 user profiles that are exactly the same except for the lens I choose from the menu for each and named them 21, 28, 35, 50 to go with the focal length and when I change lenses I just select the correct profile for that lens FL.

This works great for me and can be done quickly.



Aug 12, 2021 at 09:13 AM
retrofocus
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


M_Wales wrote:
I did find one of the Match Technical M Coder kits from someone here on FM, but after coding 3 of my lenses the 4th just wouldn't work.

I created 4 user profiles that are exactly the same except for the lens I choose from the menu for each and named them 21, 28, 35, 50 to go with the focal length and when I change lenses I just select the correct profile for that lens FL.

This works great for me and can be done quickly.


I was unaware of any of these kits which I just googled. Nevertheless, problem here I see is the affected potential lens resale value when manually making such change. Not sure if the B/W coding coloration can be easily removed if needed.



Aug 12, 2021 at 09:18 AM
M_Wales
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


retrofocus wrote:
I was unaware of any of these kits which I just googled. Nevertheless, problem here I see is the affected potential lens resale value when manually making such change. Not sure if the B/W coding coloration can be easily removed if needed.


It easily rubs off with a paper towel...



Aug 12, 2021 at 09:28 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


You can find a picture showing the 6-bit code by searching for a sold Leica lens here at FM. Usually sellers will post a picture showing the code. Alternatively you can find this info on many sites.
Here is one: https://lavidaleica.com/content/leica-lens-codes

I have added the Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH 6-bit code to my Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II. (shown on image below)

From my experience on the M10 and M10-R, a black sharpie pen does not work. it's too shiny (reflective) and the camera mount scanner does not recognize it. You must get an opaque/matte black instead.
I prefer applying real paint with a very thin brush instead of using a pen. If the mount is chrome, you don't need to paint the white code, only black. It's a 5 min. job. If the rear mount is brass, you must use the white and black code.

Personally I like the small "Testors" black mate paint.
As you can see from the picture, the Voigtlander rear mount has a recessed area where you can add the paint and it won't rub off.

How to get templates? You can make your own. Here is a link to the one I used:

_https://lavidaleica.com/assets/articles/M9_Lens_Coder_V3.jpg

Good luck!







Aug 12, 2021 at 10:23 AM
rscheffler
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


M_Wales wrote:
I created 4 user profiles that are exactly the same except for the lens I choose from the menu for each and named them 21, 28, 35, 50 to go with the focal length and when I change lenses I just select the correct profile for that lens FL.

This works great for me and can be done quickly.


I've only had the M240 since 2014 and never thought to try this... I expect I'll still forget to change the profile when I change the lens. Like retro, if I set a manual profile, it will be all too often after I've swapped through several different lenses that I'll remember... Doh!



Aug 12, 2021 at 08:45 PM
M_Wales
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


rscheffler wrote:
I've only had the M240 since 2014 and never thought to try this... I expect I'll still forget to change the profile when I change the lens. Like retro, if I set a manual profile, it will be all too often after I've swapped through several different lenses that I'll remember... Doh!


I kind of do the same thing with my Fuji X100V, but it's 7 film simulations and not focal length's..




Aug 12, 2021 at 08:53 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


This morning, I 6-bit coded my new Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton using the Leica "Summilux-M 1:1.4/21 ASPH." code.

Here is how it looks. I've tested it and it works great. (check sample image's EXIF)









6-bit code






Test image showing the EXIF information




Aug 14, 2021 at 11:48 AM
M_Wales
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


I picked up a bottle of testers flat black model paint and was able to get my 4 lenses to work with the body in auto lens detection, but I didn't wait for a couple to dry and the paint came right off.. duh..

I'm using the follwing codes:
Voigtlander 21mm f4 color skopar = Elmarit 21mm 2.8 ASPH
Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron = Summicron 28mm f2 ASPH
Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton Classic = Summilux 35mm 1.4 ASPH
TTArtisan 50mm 1.4 = Summilux 50mm 1.4 ASPH

If you know of better Leica codes to use please let me know.

Thanks



Aug 14, 2021 at 05:27 PM
torifile
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


Because I'm a complete geek and my daughter got a Cricut for Christmas last year, I decided to use it to cut the template to code my non-Leica lenses. I used the vinyl stencil material and it worked great to paint the lines on.

In case anyone is similarly geeky and has a Cricut handy: https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/613938592279a80001d46bf0



Sep 08, 2021 at 04:28 PM
1joel1
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


What are you coding the 50mm f2 APO Lanthar as?

TIA,
Joel



Sep 09, 2021 at 02:15 PM
torifile
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


11819

I don’t know if that’s the “best” coding, but for my purposes - getting the right focal length in the EXIF - it works.

1joel1 wrote:
What are you coding the 50mm f2 APO Lanthar as?

TIA,
Joel




Sep 09, 2021 at 02:36 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


1joel1 wrote:
What are you coding the 50mm f2 APO Lanthar as?

TIA,
Joel


Hi Joel,
For my Voigtlander 50/2 APO, I used the Leica APO-Summicron 50mm f/2's 6-bit code.

Here is a site showing 6-bit codes for numerous lenses:
https://lavidaleica.com/content/leica-lens-codes



Sep 09, 2021 at 06:32 PM
torifile
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


Looks like I have some more painting to do! Glad I kept my vinyl stencil. 🤦🏽

Fred Miranda wrote:
Hi Joel,
For my Voigtlander 50/2 APO, I used the Leica APO-Summicron 50mm f/2 code:




Sep 09, 2021 at 06:36 PM
1joel1
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


Fred Miranda wrote:
Hi Joel,
For my Voigtlander 50/2 APO, I used the Leica APO-Summicron 50mm f/2 code:


Unfortunately, the M9 doesn't have 11141. Looks like I might just need to use either 50 f1.4 ASPH or 50 Summicron.
M10r in my future perhaps

Thanks,

Joel



Sep 09, 2021 at 07:02 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


1joel1 wrote:
Unfortunately, the M9 doesn't have 11141. Looks like I might just need to use either 50 f1.4 ASPH or 50 Summicron.
M10r in my future perhaps

Thanks,

Joel


The code does not need to show in the camera menu for it to work. Those are just codes that Leica offers for non-coded lenses.

I believe I used my CV 50/2 APO "6-bit coded" on my M9 and the EXIF shows "Leica Apo-Summicron-M 50mm/f2 ASPH. lens". (Using the code I posted above). See this sample taken with my Voigtlander 50/2 APO-Lanthar:








Sep 09, 2021 at 07:38 PM
1joel1
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 6-Bit Coding non Leica lenses


Okay, so you painted the mount for 11141, as above, and then the camera/RAW developer knew what it was. I don't think that I can manually enter 11141 in the camera, I need to color the spots as above and put the lens detect system on Auto.

Joel



Sep 09, 2021 at 09:18 PM
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