Here is a picture of our prototype of a 6 Bit Leica Encoding Template for M mount lenses. We printed this one out of a 3D flexible plastic. It works well. But it is thin for the printer we have so the success rate of printing is still too low for production. We are working on solving that.
When my friend with the laser cutter gets back in town in two weeks we will try to make samples with that method as well. We will then decide which to produce.
I am also trying out a few flat black paint pens to work with the templates. My hoe is to have a very good, reliable, reusable, and easy to use encoding kit in the end. I will produce an initial run for those in the FM community who want one. The last thing I need is another business, so I will send these out at exactly what it costs me to make them, and mail them. The paint pen will probably be the most expensive part, but still just a few dollars. This will likely be a one off run and that will be the end of it.
My experimental version lenses are still working perfectly. But the new version with the template and pen should be very professional looking when done.
Timphoto wrote:
Thanks Steve. That's what I thought.
My confusion came from seeing the Voigtlander lens identified in the EXIF under your images.
I am hand typing those in the comments section. When I choose an image to process I am manually selecting the right Voigtlander lens in light Room. I am also selecting my profile to the Leica M10-P camera. This seems to all work very well.
1bwana1 wrote:
I am hand typing those in the comments section. When I choose an image to process I am manually selecting the right Voigtlander lens in light Room. I am also selecting my profile to the Leica M10-P camera. This seems to all work very well.
Please put me on the list for one of your templates.
Thanks
Tim
Please add me to your list as well. Much appreciated!
Also, I've very much enjoyed your Learning Leica "M" 30-Day Project thread and am on Day 13. Since I'm so far behind, I haven't bothered posting any comments but I'll take this opportunity to say that I think it is a fantastic and well executed idea. I've only been shooting with an M camera for about 10 months now so I am a sponge for any useful tips. I think it's taken me so long to get through the thread because I want it to last longer so I read only a few days at a time. Thank you for investing so much time with the project!
OK people the Six Bit Encoding Templates for Leica M mount lenses are ready to go. It actually took a bit more testing and adjusting to get a good fit, proper alignment, select a reasonable material that cut as fine as needed with accuracy, and do testing than I thought it would. We now have one that seems to work great.
Interestingly enough in turns out that a strong, dense, yet flexible, cardboard material worked best. All the composite material either didn't cut within the required tolerances needed for the coding segments, or was too brittle and tended to break during use.
These templates should last well enough to do a good number of lenses if handled with care. In the picture below you will see that there is a nice wide flange around the center hole. There is also a cut in that flange. This enables the template to be easily installed over the mount, and also allows it to be held in position when painting. After properly positioning the template just lightly squeeze the cut closed then press down over the cut line. This closes the template tight around the mount and makes the template very stable while painting in the required black ovals.
You will also see a red dot. This indicates the proper side to have up when painting so the positioning is correct. It also indicates the starting side for you coding. The code listings read left to right. But on the lens must be done right to left. The red dot helps to keep you orientated properly when painting.
I will include two of the templates when I mail them out. I only made 100 because I do not want to be in the template business. Once this batch is gone, that is it. No more. I do not want to make money on this either. So I am going to send them out for a total of $3.00 which should cover the costs of a safe shipping envelope and the mailing. If you are international please research what a 1st class mailing costs and post that much to my PayPal account.
Like i said, I am not trying to make a profit. I consider this a contribution to the FM Leica Community, and want to show gratitude for the great support I got here during my Learning Leica thread and adventure. It has turned out to be big plus for my photographic hobby.
Those of you who have already requested a template should receive a PM form me this week with my PayPal Address. When you pay there please make sure you include the address you would like me to mail your two templates to. I hope to actually put them in the mail next Saturday.
For those of you who have not requested one prior to today, just PM me here on FM and I will PM you back with my PayPal information and get your templates out to you.
Thanks again all for your contributions here on FM. I hope you enjoy your templates.
-Steve-
Leica M Six Bit Encoding Template. Laser cut stiff cardboard
