Just a thought on lens coding.

[Nicoleica]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Having read the myriad of posts regarding lens coding, and the problems that many encounter with this, I think that there is an opportunity here for someone.

 

Surely somebody could produce a sheet of pre-printed self-adhesive coding strips on a thin film/foil base that could be applied to un-coded lenses?

 

If this had several of each code on the sheet, then even if one wore off a spare would be at hand. For lenses with grooves this could even be a permanent solution.

 

Properly milled and painted codes are obviously the best way to go, but having a sheet of pre-printed codes might even then be a boon in selecting the most appropriate code for those 'awkward' lenses which don't match the Leica range.

 

Just a thought.

[epand56]

Wouldn't be able to make it thin enough - simply not enough clearance: even ink can be too thick, as witnessed by the fact that some of my lenses were impossible to code with a marker as the ink smeared immediately... hence my Dremel modification!

 

In fact, even a thinner mark made with a felt pen get erased in a very short time.

I did try nicole solution printing the codes on a very thin foil, but no way to make it work.

A solution could be a sort of transferable codes made like the Letraset transferable letters we graphic artist were used to use in the pre-computer age. Those letters were very, wery thin, almost inconsistent.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Nicoleica]

Oh well, it was just a thought. It could still be an idea for those lenses with grooves though. Thanks guys.

[marknorton]

Partly its the close tolerances, partly the spring behind the lens mount which pulls the lens in.

[sean_reid]

Having read the myriad of posts regarding lens coding, and the problems that many encounter with this, I think that there is an opportunity here for someone.

 

Surely somebody could produce a sheet of pre-printed self-adhesive coding strips on a thin film/foil base that could be applied to un-coded lenses?

 

If this had several of each code on the sheet, then even if one wore off a spare would be at hand. For lenses with grooves this could even be a permanent solution.

 

Properly milled and painted codes are obviously the best way to go, but having a sheet of pre-printed codes might even then be a boon in selecting the most appropriate code for those 'awkward' lenses which don't match the Leica range.

 

Just a thought.

 

Hi Nicole,

 

It is a great idea for the Zeiss and CV lenses that have grooves. In fact, Stephen Gandy and I discussed a possible "sticker system" back in 2006 when thinking about the possibilities a groove in the CV lenses could open up. I hope someone does it.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Doc Henry]

Having read the myriad of posts regarding lens coding, and the problems that many encounter with this, I think that there is an opportunity here for someone.

Surely somebody could produce a sheet of pre-printed self-adhesive coding strips on a thin film/foil base that could be applied to un-coded lenses?

If this had several of each code on the sheet, then even if one wore off a spare would be at hand. For lenses with grooves this could even be a permanent solution.

Properly milled and painted codes are obviously the best way to go, but having a sheet of pre-printed codes might even then be a boon in selecting the most appropriate code for those 'awkward' lenses which don't match the Leica range.

Just a thought.

Nicole,

... good question to be put down

For me i took option to send lens to Solms

The simplest for me it is to send it to Solms for the coding.

At the same time Solms undertakes a revision of optics.

It is what I did for my 28 and 90mm.

Regards

Henry

.

[luigi bertolotti]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I just DID IT with my Elmarit 28 (see another thread of these days...), a model that is factory-uncodable : the thin paper strip works fine NOW, but I suspect it will quickly become useless for progressive paper wear: it has been a quick dirty tentative just because I hadn't a white paint to fill the screw that is positioned along the "LED line".

[sean_reid]

Again, I hope someone on the list sees this idea and decides to start making these for the Zeiss and CV lenses with grooves. It could be a nice little cottage industry.

 

Cheers,

[junglehs]

There is a simple solution that Leica refuses to implement. If the lens you want to use is not coded then the software has to pull up a menu for the user to select the used lens manually.

 

Plain and simple.

[LeicaMSeattle]

I think what people are asking for are pre-printed codes on a industrial strength self adhesive piece of mylar. I've painted over the Sharpie line with a thin stroke of matte black lacquer paint.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Nicole / Sean,

 

That is easy, I have the equipment to make these.

 

The hard part... is to get the strip aligned correctly. probably the simplest process would be to have a corner which aligns to the lock slot on the flange, then tear or cut this away after installation, the problem with that being the length of the peel-off being very unstable, particularly on thin material...

 

Hmm having measured my 15mm flange recess to be only 0.12mm, it might be a bit hard to find a foil with a adhesive backing which is thick enough to handle and thin enough to fit into that grove. he he. which then leads us back to Enrico's Letraset thoughts, only problem I don't know how that was done, however with a Letraset concept one could print the rub-on and then cut the carrier material as a ring with a tap for the lock slot, this would make positioning easy.

 

... Tim seems to deal with several cool factories in China, he might have a contact for the rub-on technology...?

 

.

[epand56]

which then leads us back to Enrico's Letraset thoughts, only problem I don't know how that was done,

 

Bo, there are companies everywhere that makes sort of Letraset characters and signs to be rubbed on walls and/or plexiglass plates in museums and exhibitions. I've seen lots of them in museums and exhibitions all over the world.

I think they someway use techniques similar to those Letraset adopted at the time.

The entire code could be done (black and white dots), ready to be rubbed down on the flange, with an indicator to properly allign it.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Hello Enrico,

 

Now you mention it, I think that I have seen those, though I think most of the museum and glass lettering is vinyl cut lettering which is pretty thick. Actually Im old enough to remember having custom ordered a sheet of a customers logo long ago from Letraset, Im sure they still offer that service also.

 

However I just rifled through my random media file and found some 0.09mm dull white. sooo that should do the trick.

 

Next question. give me 3 favorite candidates for a test run and I will get them in the mail. I need the focal length and the code you want 000011 style. I will print it and cut a complete ring with a tab for the lock slot, cut or tear away when done. I should be able to get one of the girls to layout this and cut it by tomorrow.

 

 

.

[Nicoleica]

I'd just like to say 'Thank You' to everyone for the way that my thought has been received. Although I have no need of such a coding strip myself at present (All of my lenses are new and coded.), it is great to think that this may help others.

 

Thanks again everyone. Your responses have warmed by heart.

[epand56]

give me 3 favorite candidates for a test run and I will get them in the mail.

 

Bo, maybe I'm quite too much far from you, but in the case, count me in. I have a Lux 35mm f1.4 Asph that only need to be coded.

You have my address and here is the code: 011101

I've always loved being part of a revolution...

[microview]

Early this year I sent a lens for servicing to Malcolm Taylor with a Rayqual LTM adapter. He found the focussing was way off as the flange thickness was 0.967mm instead of 1.00mm. Leica's tolerance is a mere +/-0.005mm. A CV adapter (much cheaper) was the answer...

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Enrico,

 

Done, I will get it mailed out for you tomorrow.

 

The first test version did go exactly as expected.

 

Nocton 35mm 1.4 codes as 35LUX

 

The proofs in the pudding.

 

Test sheet of print/cut - need to be scaled a little for accuracy, however this is almost perfect already.

 

OK so having just tested this... its a pain* (wanted to use different words for this) to get the sticker in place.. because it is a long round sticky sticker..

 

Once in place I did tear the end off by holding my finger nail down, however that did make enough of a dent to push up the paper when the lens was attached, so on the second try I instead did cut the excess material. I put two blue lines on the print to indicate the safe cut.

 

The system is definitely workable on a CV lens, however one gotta give it a GOOD rubbing down with a fingernail before use to make sure it does not catch when the lens is mounted. It works well and have accurate coding on first try,

 

however to be honest, anyone can do just as well and with probably less frustration using a sharpie.

 

Sorry about the B&W image, for some reason I manged to get horrible greens in the shot and was too lazy to re-shoot it.

 

.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Bo_Lorentzen
spellng

[Bo_Lorentzen]

One more - WATE code strip on CV 15mm 4.5

 

This image show the strip before I used a pair of scissors to trim the tape down to the blue marks. Rub the strip down carefully, I put a piece of paper over the strip and rubbed it with a fingernail to prevent it from catching. (that groove is really not every deep, I think it was designed for the typical thickness of a sharpie mark.)

 

Again, proofs in the pudding, lens codes as a WATE on first try, it was before coded as a 21, and those lines are still under the sticker.

 

.

[Jeff S]

Nicole,

... good question to be put down

For me i took option to send lens to Solms

The simplest for me it is to send it to Solms for the coding.

At the same time Solms undertakes a revision of optics.

It is what I did for my 28 and 90mm.

Regards

Henry

.

 

I thought I read in another post that a rep from Leica said only coding is done when a lens is sent for coding...no additional work unless specifically requested. Do you/others have information to believe otherwise? I'm curious since I just sent in a lens for coding (although I sent it to New Jersey in US...are they perhaps different in their practices?)

 

Jeff

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Double Negative]

There is a simple solution that Leica refuses to implement. If the lens you want to use is not coded then the software has to pull up a menu for the user to select the used lens manually.

 

Plain and simple.

 

Yeah, really. This would be a simple addition for Leica, I would think. It doesn't even have to list particular lenses or bit patterns. Just a drop down of focal lengths I think would be close enough. If you want real accuracy, then of course - get your lens coded. This way it wouldn't bite into Leica's coding service... Though I'm sure they have better things to do than code people's lenses.