Proof of concept regarding self coding of lenses

[mike prevette]

With nothing more than a sharpie I was able to trick my M8 into thinking my Zeiss 21 was really a 50mm Leica lens. Of course this isnt for any practical purpose except to prove it's possible with little or no tools.

_mike
Flickr: Photos from mike@freedomfromgravity

[Jean LeBlanc]

Well done!

All we need is a database of the various codes.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Jean LeBlanc

Well done!

All we need is a database of the various codes.

I was keeping track of Mark Nortons's scans of the codings, for a while and the 21mm Elmar Asph was 000XX0. Mark or others can verify.
Bob

[nemeng]

A Sharpie... LOL!

The Rat-Cunning of Leica users never ceases to amaze me :?)

BTW if anyone does come up with a list of codes, I'll gladly add it to the M8 FAQ topic at:

Leica FAQ - Leica M8 Digital

[vikasmg]

Originally Posted by nemeng

A Sharpie... LOL!
BTW if anyone does come up with a list of codes, I'll gladly add it to the M8 FAQ topic at:
Leica FAQ - Leica M8 Digital

Well we could start by just sending in codes of lenses we own! I'll send in my 35mm Sumicron code later this evening (morning your time).

- Vikas

[vikasmg]

Wonderful! Must try that on my 50mm!

Incidentally, any reason for masking "M8" and the red dot?!

- Vikas

[hrosell]

Originally Posted by vikasmg

Wonderful! Must try that on my 50mm!

Incidentally, any reason for masking "M8" and the red dot?!

- Vikas

Street precaution – less attraction...
I've done plenty of shots in the street (architectural and parks) in rather questionable areas with two M6 and a R6.2 masked. You feel somehow safer this way...

Regards,

Horacio

[rob_x2004]

More the point, whats the tape over the top of the LCD screen?

Um, only dots I have, which dont mean much to me at the moment.

75s.JPG

[stan98103]

The coding for many Leica lenses is shown in the images for individual lenses on the Popflash website.

Stan

[rob_x2004]

Cool as Stan, I could have saved myself a minute and forty three seconds. Can I still ask what the tape is for over the LCD?

[sean_reid]

Please keep up the "R&D" on homegrown coding and thanks. If we can find a solution that's more than temporary, it would be very helpful to a lot of photographers. I absolutely love it that people are trying to get this one figured out.

Cheers,

Sean

[carstenw]

Popflash is missing a couple from the current lineup: 90/4 Macro, 90 Elmarit, Apo 90 Cron, 135/3.4, 28 Cron, 75 Lux. Can anyone help out with these codes? I am trying to collect them all.

[guy_mancuso]

Carsten I have the 28mm Cron. Lovely lens and it is coded.

Best way to do this is lens at camera on postion than put face down.
w,b,w,b,b,w

I need the 24mm 2.8 and the 35 1.4 asph. Hell i will try the sharpie. i even have colored ones. LOL

[butter71]

Originally Posted by carstenw

28 Cron.

28 summicron is 010110
35 summilux is 101110

[LJL]

Folks may want to check this thread:

http://www.leica-camera-user.com/dig...ht=lens+coding

LJ

[stan98103]

Here are the codes from the Popflash photos. 0 = white (no mark with sharpie), X = black, looking at the back of the lens mount in a clockwise direction. Some lenses are missing.

21 f2.8 0XX000
24 f2.8 0XX00X
TE f4.0 X0X0X0
28 f2.8 0XXX00
35 f1.4 0XXX0X
35 f2.0 0XXXX0
50 f1.0 0XXXXX
50 f1.4 X00000
50 f2.0 X0000X
50 f2.8 X000X0
75 f2.0 X00X00
90 f2.0 0XXX0X

How many Sharpies can you buy for $125?

Stan

[sdai]

I suspect this thread will be quickly locked down or simply disappear because it's obviously offending the forum sponsor's business interest.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by sdai

I suspect this thread will be quickly locked down or simply disappear because it's obviously offending the forum sponsor's business interest.

I doubt it. I would argue that it's in Leica's best interests to have this camera work with various lenses without needing to have them sent in for coding. I won't repeat my argument against a "closed system" for the M8 because I've explained it in other threads but I think that neither Leica nor the customer is well served by a closed system.

Sean

[guy_mancuso]

Darn i tried the 24mm but i did it by sight , i will try again tomorrow. The nice thing is the sharpie comes off if you mess up

[butter71]

Originally Posted by stan98103

Here are the codes from the Popflash photos.
35 f1.4 0XXX00

i don't think this is correct for the latest ASPH model (4th gen?)

working clockwise, it would be 0XXX0X

most of the others in this thread are counter-clockwise. we should standardize.