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Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda
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p.23 #1 · p.23 #1 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
That is strange. My m10r black paint recognized the steel rim reissue no problem.

Certainly, it's a strange problem.

I've tried out all my Leica lenses on the camera, and they all work well without any issues. Right now, I'm not certain whether it's a problem with the camera's software or hardware, but I'm concerned that I might have to send it to Leica for repairs.

Sep 30, 2023 at 09:45 AM

lifeandmylens
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p.23 #2 · p.23 #2 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
Certainly, it's a strange problem.

I've tried out all my Leica lenses on the camera, and they all work well without any issues. Right now, I'm not certain whether it's a problem with the camera's software or hardware, but I'm concerned that I might have to send it to Leica for repairs.

I’d maybe try to DIY code a CV lens the same way as the reissue and see if it reads it. I wonder if it has anything to do with Yuko’s mod?

Sep 30, 2023 at 09:52 AM

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p.23 #3 · p.23 #3 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
I’d maybe try to DIY code a CV lens the same way as the reissue and see if it reads it. I wonder if it has anything to do with Yuko’s mod?

The modification should not impact how the camera reads the lens mount information. I have a Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton with the same SR code, and the camera doesn't recognize it either. This isn't a problem with the lens; it's actually an issue with the camera.

What's interesting is that if I didn't have the Steel Rim lens, I wouldn't even notice this problem. All of my Leica and Voigtlander lenses with coding are recognized perfectly. This makes me believe it's not an issue with the camera's 6-bit reader. It might be more of a software problem, even though I've installed the latest firmware.

Here's another sign that it might be a problem with the camera: the SR works perfectly on the M10-R Black Chrome version.

Sep 30, 2023 at 10:15 AM

lifeandmylens
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p.23 #4 · p.23 #4 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
The modification should not impact how the camera reads the lens mount information. I have a Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton with the same SR code, and the camera doesn't recognize it either. This isn't a problem with the lens; it's actually an issue with the camera.

What's interesting is that if I didn't have the Steel Rim lens, I wouldn't even notice this problem. All of my Leica and Voigtlander lenses with coding are recognized perfectly. This makes me believe it's not an issue with the camera's 6-bit reader. It might be more of a software problem, even though I've...Show more →

Very strange! Are you sure the firmware on the body is the latest one?

Sep 30, 2023 at 10:26 AM

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p.23 #5 · p.23 #5 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
Very strange! Are you sure the firmware on the body is the latest one?

Yes, the camera already had the latest firmware installed. It's puzzling because it's the only lens that the camera doesn't recognize. If the problem were with the camera's 6-bit reader, it would likely affect the readings of other lenses as well.

Sep 30, 2023 at 10:33 AM

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p.23 #6 · p.23 #6 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

If I turn the lens counterclockwise (CCW) by 2mm after unlocking it slightly from the mount, the camera automatically recognizes it as the 35/1.4 Summilux lens. Initially, I thought the issue was with the lens itself, but I confirmed that it's not the case. Even my manually coded Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton lens (coded to mimic the Summilux) also requires the same 2mm rotation to function properly. I checked the camera's 6-bit scanner and it seems well aligned and functioning without issues.

So, the Leica 35/1.4 Lux SR's code is 001100, and just to test this out, I decided to code a Voigtlander lens as 011000, which replicates the 2mm rotation by moving the bits. Surprisingly, the camera now detects this lens as the 35/1.4 Summilux! This indicates that the problem lies in the camera's software, not the hardware of the camera or lens. By the way, the 011000 code should automatically detect the lens as Elmarit 21mm f/2.8 instead. So, there are errors in the firmware.

Now, I just need to figure out how to reinstall the latest firmware from scratch. Do anyone know if any Leica camera stores offer this service? The previous owner updated it, but it seems that something went wrong. As of now, my 35/1.4 Lux SR and 35/2 Cron ASPH. are not automatically recognized, although all my other lenses work fine. I'm sure if I would test other lenses, there would be more issues.

Oct 01, 2023 at 09:48 AM

lifeandmylens
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p.23 #7 · p.23 #7 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Based on what you're describing it sounds more like one of the 6 bit slots on the camera's reader isn't working properly? To try the firmware route, I'd email Josh at Leica Miami and ask him if they can revert/reflash firmware in store. My guess is probably not.

Oct 01, 2023 at 10:50 AM

algrove
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p.23 #8 · p.23 #8 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

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Oct 01, 2023 at 11:47 AM

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p.23 #9 · p.23 #9 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
Based on what you're describing it sounds more like one of the 6 bit slots on the camera's reader isn't working properly? To try the firmware route, I'd email Josh at Leica Miami and ask him if they can revert/reflash firmware in store. My guess is probably not.

The openings on my camera's 6-bit scanner appear to be free of dirt and properly positioned. I additionally examined approximately 10 coded lenses, and they are all detected using all six codes in black and white, indicating that all six scanners are functioning correctly (refer to the image).

Two of my 6-bit coded lenses that cannot be identified are the Leica 35/1.4 Lux SR and the Leica 28/2 Summicron ASPH.

The more I check into this, the more I'm inclined to think it's not a hardware issue. I must admit, it's quite unusual, but I'm confident there is a logical explanation. My initial approach to resolving this would be to rebuild the firmware. Very likely the camera will have to take a trip to NJ.

Oct 01, 2023 at 01:15 PM

RustyRus
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p.23 #10 · p.23 #10 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

@fredmiranda

Is it possible during the tear down for the mod you did that its slightly off from spec? Could the 6 bit code be a mm or so off so it’s not being read by the M10r?

If you play with not fully attaching it, will it read? I would guess a little bit off could be the issue.

Oct 01, 2023 at 04:13 PM

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p.23 #11 · p.23 #11 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

RustyRus wrote:
@fredmiranda@

Is it possible during the tear down for the mod you did that its slightly off from spec? Could the 6 bit code be a mm or so off so it’s not being read by the M10r?

If you play with not fully attaching it, will it read? I would guess a little bit off could be the issue.

I mentioned this here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1779165/22#16355421

No, it's not a problem with the lens, which works perfectly with all my M cameras. The problem lies in the camera's firmware, which mistakenly identifies the code for the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux as 011000 when it should be 001100. I believe this might be a firmware error specific to my camera. It could be due to a flawed firmware installation.

As an experiment, I painted the 011000 6-bit code to a Voigtlander lens. The camera automatically recognized it as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux which proves that the firmware has the wrong code for this lens. The correct code for this lens should be 001100.

Oct 01, 2023 at 04:48 PM

RustyRus
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p.23 #12 · p.23 #12 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
I mentioned this here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1779165/22#16355421

No, it's not a problem with the lens, which works perfectly with all my M cameras. The problem lies in the camera's firmware, which mistakenly identifies the code for the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux as 011000 when it should be 001100. I believe this might be a firmware error specific to my camera. It could be due to a flawed firmware installation.

As an experiment, I painted the 011000 6-bit code to a Voigtlander lens. The camera automatically recognized it as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux which proves that the firmware has the wrong code for this lens....Show more →

Hey Fred-

I hear what you are saying, it still sounds to me like a hardware issue. The fact that it reads it as 011000 vs 001100 even seems more plausible that a very slight misalignment could cause that.

If it read 010011 or something drastically different, I could see firmware etc. To be a single digit off, a millimeter or so I could see causing this. Also the modification of the lens leans towards a potentially slight variance.

That’s just how my brain see’s the problem. Good Luck

Oct 01, 2023 at 04:59 PM

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p.23 #13 · p.23 #13 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

I just received an email from Leica, and after reviewing my description, they believe that this is not a problem with the camera or lens hardware. Here's what they said:

=================

Hi Fred,
My feeling is flashing the firmware should fix the issue. That is where the 6-bit tables reside. In any case customer care will check out the entire camera. Thanks,

=================

My camera is taking a trip to the east coast today.

Oct 02, 2023 at 08:29 AM

RustyRus
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p.23 #14 · p.23 #14 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
I just received an email from Leica, and after reviewing my description, they believe that this is not a problem with the camera or lens hardware. Here's what they said:

=================

Hi Fred,
My feeling is flashing the firmware should fix the issue. That is where the 6-bit tables reside. In any case customer care will check out the entire camera. Thanks,

=================

My camera is taking a trip to the east coast today.

Are you sending the lens as well? I just had a great experience with Leica service in New Jersey. Not fast but very thorough.

Oct 02, 2023 at 08:50 AM

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p.23 #15 · p.23 #15 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

RustyRus wrote:
Are you sending the lens as well? I just had a great experience with Leica service in New Jersey. Not fast but very thorough.

I have a few Leica lenses that aren't getting identified properly. Leica thinks it's a firmware problem, and they suggest "flashing" it to fix the issue. In simple terms, they can erase and reinstall the firmware from scratch.

Oct 02, 2023 at 09:16 AM

lifeandmylens
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p.23 #16 · p.23 #16 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
I have a few Leica lenses that aren't getting identified properly. Leica thinks it's a firmware problem, and they suggest "flashing" it to fix the issue. In simple terms, they can erase and reinstall the firmware from scratch.

Please keep us updated on what Leica says once they've repaired it. Also curious to know how long it takes.

Oct 02, 2023 at 09:57 AM

hmzimelka
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p.23 #17 · p.23 #17 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

@Fred Miranda Would you be able to publish an infinity aperture series test with this lens, like those you usually do in your lens reviews?

I've still not been able to find online samples taken with this lens and compare it to the copy I tried. Notably the weak mid-zone performance of the lens I've tried, and the only copy available at my closest retailer. I'm on the fence with this lens, but can't tell whether the lens I tried is a representative copy or if it has an issue.

With the copy I tried, at any focus distance and field curvature taken into consideration, the mid-zone only sharpens up adequately between f/5.6 and f/8. Otherwise the centre is very sharp, the far edges are sharp, in-between has that double edged astigmatism look.

Example at f/4.

Oct 25, 2023 at 02:55 AM

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p.23 #18 · p.23 #18 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

hmzimelka wrote:

@Fred Miranda@ Would you be able to publish an infinity aperture series test with this lens, like those you usually do in your lens reviews?

I've still not been able to find online samples taken with this lens and compare it to the copy I tried. Notably the weak mid-zone performance of the lens I've tried, and the only copy available at my closest retailer. I'm on the fence with this lens, but can't tell whether the lens I tried is a representative copy or if it has an issue.

With the copy I tried, at any focus distance and...Show more →

Sure, I will post resolution and contrast crops for center/mid/corners for the Leica 35/1.4 SR lens on this thread. Additionally, I'll compare it to the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton since I have optimal, centered copies of both lenses available for comparison.

I've compared them before and the Leica performs slightly better than the Voigtlander, especially off-axis.

Oct 25, 2023 at 09:43 AM

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p.23 #19 · p.23 #19 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
Please keep us updated on what Leica says once they've repaired it. Also curious to know how long it takes.

I got my 35/1.4 SR lens from Leica yesterday, and they said the issue is with the camera, not the lens. Leica is currently investigating whether it's a software or hardware issue with the camera. I tried the 35/1.4 SR on my M10-M, and it worked perfectly with no problems - the camera recognized it automatically.

Oct 25, 2023 at 09:46 AM

hmzimelka
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p.23 #20 · p.23 #20 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
Sure, I will post resolution and contrast crops for center/mid/corners for the Leica 35/1.4 SR lens on this thread. Additionally, I'll compare it to the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton since I have optimal, centered copies of both lenses available for comparison.

I've compared them before and the Leica performs slightly better than the Voigtlander, especially off-axis.

Thank you very much, Fred!

Interesting observations with the CV 35/1.4 Classic. My limited experience with one copy of each lens, I found the Voigtlander maintained a sharper focus point throughout the frame, with exception of the very far corners, but with noticeably more field curvature than the Leica. I suspect that the Leica will come out better at infinity at f/8 though, due to the stronger curvature of the Nokton.

I find the weakest point on the Leica is around the 12mm mark, which might not fall perfectly in the mid-zone. Just curious what your findings are. There is a lot I like about the lens but there are things that keep me from committing... annoying myself

Oct 25, 2023 at 09:58 AM

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