MPJMP Posted September 27, 2010 Share #1 Posted September 27, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm thinking again about purchasing a used M8 to compliment my MP and D-Lux 4 (soon to upgraded to the 5). I have four Leica lenses, none of which are coded for digital. Does the current M8 firmware allow the photographer to manually enter the lens being used (like the M9)? If not, I know I can still print off one of those templates and use a Sharpie to manually "code" the base plate of each lens, but of course would prefer a more "professional" solution. I can't afford both the camera body and a trip to NJ for all my lenses. Thanks, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 27, 2010 Posted September 27, 2010 Hi MPJMP, Take a look here Question about latest M8 firmware.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rjans Posted September 27, 2010 Share #2 Posted September 27, 2010 The latest firmware only fixed a shutter problem. No presets for lenses like the M9. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted September 27, 2010 Share #3 Posted September 27, 2010 Mike, only your wide-angle lenses NEED to be coded, though all would be recognized in the EXIF data. Setting metadata aside for a moment, I would recommend getting the wider lenses coded to benefit from in-camera corrections. If your lenses are one or two generations older than current, you might like to consider adding/replacing selected lenses with more modern coded versions. Depending in which country you live, you might find a trusted independent repairer able to code your lenses reliably and more cheaply than sending them to Leica.. Some lenses, such as the Tri-Elmar 28-35-50 need to be recalibrated at the same time, something you cannot do by self-coding. Telephoto lenses do not need coding for performance. Why not go to a trusted dealer and see if you could hire/borrow an M8 so that you can try your lenses and assess the results for yourself? Or ask a Leica friend! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPJMP Posted September 27, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted September 27, 2010 David, My lenses are 28mm Elmarit (non-Asph), 35mm 'Cron Ashp, 50mm 'cron, and 90mm Elmarit. Except for the 35mm Asph, all are the previous generation. Based on what you are telling me, I'm guessing only the 28 and 35 really need coding. The local Leica dealer has new M8s on hand, but doesn't give out loaners. Besides, I would hate to use them when I know I won't be buying new. If I were a patient man I'd just wait a few more years for used M9s to start showing up in greater numbers. Maybe an X1 to tide me over until then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted September 27, 2010 Share #5 Posted September 27, 2010 You don't mention having UV/IR cut filters for your lenses. (Know you're asking about coding in this thread.) But just in case you didn't think about it. . . . If you're shooting color you really should consider the cost of the UV/IR cut filters for each of your lenses as part of the M8 "buy in" expense, in addition to the coding. You can search the forum to read pros and cons about the filters--I have filters for every one of my lenses now and my color is trouble-free, every time. Regarding the lens coding? Chat up Don Goldberg at DAG by phone and see what his rates are and what his backlog is like at the moment. (I assume you're in the U.S.) Don turned around coded lenses for me--Leica wouldn't code them--in a month, earlier this year. What other posters have said about coding being used to apply lens corrections is true for the "wides." I had several lenses coded just so they would report focal length in the EXIF data--this is of value to me. Cheers! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koob Posted September 29, 2010 Share #6 Posted September 29, 2010 David,My lenses are 28mm Elmarit (non-Asph), 35mm 'Cron Ashp, 50mm 'cron, and 90mm Elmarit. Except for the 35mm Asph, all are the previous generation. Based on what you are telling me, I'm guessing only the 28 and 35 really need coding. The local Leica dealer has new M8s on hand, but doesn't give out loaners. Besides, I would hate to use them when I know I won't be buying new. If I were a patient man I'd just wait a few more years for used M9s to start showing up in greater numbers. Maybe an X1 to tide me over until then? I have M8 with only firmware upgrades, ZM 25mm, cron 50 and coded elmarit 90. I don't use any IR filter or lens detection. I only see odd times some colour cast from black fabrics, mind you, most of my shots are outside. You didn't say what kind of shooting you do... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bboynic Posted September 29, 2010 Share #7 Posted September 29, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, i just got my new M8, the firmware of my M8 is 2.002, can i know that do i have to upgrade the previous firmware before i upgrade it to 2.005? Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted September 29, 2010 Share #8 Posted September 29, 2010 all firmware upgrades Leica provides are full installs, meaning you can install 2.005 even on top of 1.000 if you want to. regarding coding: I use UV/IR filters, but even with an uncoded Zeiss 25mm I had no issues with cyan corners. It depends a lot on the light. That being said, I got a Dremel loaned a while ago and did hand code all of my lenses with the help of this pattern: BoPhoto.com: M8 coder - simple manual handcoding of M lenses used a 1.6mm dremel head and black matte Revell airfix color (metal) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canica Posted September 29, 2010 Share #9 Posted September 29, 2010 I'm thinking again about purchasing a used M8 to compliment my MP and D-Lux 4 (soon to upgraded to the 5). I have four Leica lenses, none of which are coded for digital. Does the current M8 firmware allow the photographer to manually enter the lens being used (like the M9)? If not, I know I can still print off one of those templates and use a Sharpie to manually "code" the base plate of each lens, but of course would prefer a more "professional" solution. I can't afford both the camera body and a trip to NJ for all my lenses.Thanks, Mike Dear Mike, Why do you consider the tool like "D-Coder Kit 2.0 DIY 6-bit code on Leica lens FIT M8 M9"? I'm the M8.2 user and I even used LTM lens as well. I had the same consideration before, thus I found DIY coder in eBay but I didn't buy it. Any Gurus has comment on it. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices Rgds, canica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted September 29, 2010 Share #10 Posted September 29, 2010 the M-Coder kit looks nice, but Bo's cardboard template worked nicely for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 30, 2010 Share #11 Posted September 30, 2010 MAYBE an X1 to tide me over until then? I learned a lot and avoided misinvestments by reading also old threads in this forum. Only buying gear for at least 5 years of use, instead what tides me over, is my objective. My NEX-3 with the Voigtlaender M-NEX lens adaptor will not be obsolete any time soon, nor the M8 I use for 3 years now. Reading various hands-on reviews about the new FUJI is something to look forward to imo. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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