Noctilux coding?

[Ecar]

I just got myself a late XMas present in the form of a used Nocti (latest current version - SN 395xxxxxx) in mint condition and have ordered the UV/IR filter.
I ran a few tests with my M8 and noticed only minimal back-focusing at close range between 2.8 and 5.6, which I guess is "normal" behaviour for this lens.
The lens is not coded and shows some vignetting. However, I'm not sure whether I should send it to Solms.
Besides the obvious ability to record exif data, I'm wondering if other users have seen a substantial reduction in vignetting after getting the lens coded. If this is the case, did you feel that the character of the lens was affected?
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.

[j. borger]

I always added additional vignetting in post with my nocti because there is already something lost of it's character with the M8 due to the cropfactor. Vignetting is part of that character!
You could also easily correct the vignetting during raw conversion if it bothers you.
I would think twice sending it in for coding, especialy if it is as good focussing as you describe.
Cyan drift is a non-issue with 50mm ... so i see no necesity coding this lens .... and myself would not!

[Ecar]

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Also, I'm worried by reports that lenses sent to Solms for coding sometimes come back with more focus shift than before due to any adjustments made after replacing the flange; this is something I'd like to avoid given that this lens seems to be well-matched to my M8 as-is.

[marknorton]

Mine went back for coding after buying it from HK and then twice more to sort out the focussing.

[Ecar]

Originally Posted by marknorton

Mine went back for coding after buying it from HK and then twice more to sort out the focussing.

That's hardly encouraging... Could you tell whether the coding process was the culprit, or was it mis-focussing from the outset?

[rickp13]

i was having difficulty focusing with my m8 and 75mm summilux, so when i received the noctilux, i sent it for coding and focus adjustment with the m8 and summilux. now both camera/lens combinations are much easier to work with. i didn't use the noctilux much before coding, so can't comment on more or less vignetting, but like the results very much.

cheers

rick

[Olsen]

I have also had mine for coding and adjustment at Solms. Mine was backfocusing at the apertures you mentioned with about 10 cm at 2 meters. This was unworkable. After adjustment it front focuses with about 1,5 cm at full aparture. When stopped down, DOF moves backwards - and widens, of cause. Well, my eyesight is not all that perfect anymore so I will not engage in a heated dispute about the exact measurements. But now it works, somehow, with a little training and ideal conditions.

Which points at the problem working with the Noctilux; it demands a good eyesight - that of an eagle or Condor will be fine, to place the DOF correctly. I will recommend a viewfinder magnifier - Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER M 1.25x & NEW 1.4x

[rickp13]

good idea. i forgot to mention the use of a magnifier with the noctilux and summilux, particularly useful for people who wear glasses. here's the one i use (search for megaperls on the forum):

MS-MAG x1.35 magnifier for Leica M
[MS-MAG 1.35] ¥16,900 Magnifier for Leica M viewfinder. Multicoated. Includes dioptre adjustment facility (-3.0 - +1.5).

greetings from hamburg

rick

[marknorton]

Originally Posted by Ecar

That's hardly encouraging... Could you tell whether the coding process was the culprit, or was it mis-focussing from the outset?

The first problem I had was the sticky focussing - it was impossible to micro-adjust the focussing because as you applied more torque to the focussing ring, it would stick, then jump. Then, after they fixed that, the lens focussed beyond infinity once you got to about 10m (an extreme case of front focussing). Once it does that, nothing is in focus anywhere in the subject field.

One of the benefits of the Panasonic G1 is that you can see the actual focus from the lens and see just how critical it is, same for the 75mm Summilux.

Don't think coding caused the problems, they were built in when the lens was made.