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I have three Summicrons which requires 6 bit coding.  Given the lengthy time to have it done not to mention rather high costs, I opted for the magic marker method.  I shoot 90% of the time with 50mm so I had no real need for it.  When I put the marker codings on my lens, it seems to bring up the correct frame lines (not sure if the frame lines are mechanically controlled or electronically controled).  When I imported the test images to Lightrooms, it doesn't know which lens I used.  Could any one point out what I have done wrong?

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I have three Summicrons which requires 6 bit coding.  Given the lengthy time to have it done not to mention rather high costs, I opted for the magic marker method.  I shoot 90% of the time with 50mm so I had no real need for it.  When I put the marker codings on my lens, it seems to bring up the correct frame lines (not sure if the frame lines are mechanically controlled or electronically controled).  When I imported the test images to Lightrooms, it doesn't know which lens I used.  Could any one point out what I have done wrong?

The frame lines are mechanically selected but the lens mount (a cam moved by the lens).

the exif data is sent by the 6 bit code or by manually selecting the lens in the lens detection menu.

in the beginning I had difficulty with the lens reader window on the lens mount on the camera. A cleaning with an alcohol wipe fixed that. If it is on the M-240 the reader is finicky and matte black paint seems to work best in the coding pits. I use RustOleum.

 

You may look on eBay for a replacement flange with the coding pits instead of sending the lens off. I did this on one of my lenses and it was 5 minute fix. Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-bit-flange-adapter-for-Leica-M8-M9-lens-50mm-75mm-/141167596330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20de3e932a

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The frame lines are mechanically selected but the lens mount (a cam moved by the lens).

the exif data is sent by the 6 bit code or by manually selecting the lens in the lens detection menu.

in the beginning I had difficulty with the lens reader window on the lens mount on the camera. A cleaning with an alcohol wipe fixed that. If it is on the M-240 the reader is finicky and matte black paint seems to work best in the coding pits. I use RustOleum.

 

You may look on eBay for a replacement flange with the coding pits instead of sending the lens off. I did this on one of my lenses and it was 5 minute fix. Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-bit-flange-adapter-for-Leica-M8-M9-lens-50mm-75mm-/141167596330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20de3e932a

 

I had two out of three R to M lens adapters not work from that seller. The first would not bring up the R lens list. The second had a faulty bayonet. The adapter would not lock into place. It was 8 months before I got what I paid for  in a working condition. The flanges may be good but sometimes these Chinese sources are not worth the trouble.

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I had two out of three R to M lens adapters not work from that seller. The first would not bring up the R lens list. The second had a faulty bayonet. The adapter would not lock into place. It was 8 months before I got what I paid for  in a working condition. The flanges may be good but sometimes these Chinese sources are not worth the trouble.

 

 

A replacement flange is not the same as an adapter. A flange screws onto the lens and replaces the rear mounting flange with one that has rebates for the six bit coding machined in. They are worth the trouble especially when you consider the price difference between having Leica do the job and buying a cheap Chinese flange, and that they only take a couple of minutes to fit so your lenses aren't away for months on end. 

 

As regards just using paint or a marker pen, that is a waste of time. Things have moved on from the M8 and it's ability to read Sharpie codes. The M9, and now the M240, got progressively more sensitive to the quality of the mark, so the density and reflective values of the marking medium make a big difference. Besides which any depth/density of paint on an un-modified lens that will activate the coding sensor of the M240 will be the same depth that will wear off almost immediately (and leave flecks of paint in the camera and around the mount).

 

Steve

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....Besides which any depth/density of paint on an un-modified lens that will activate the coding sensor of the M240 will be the same depth that will wear off almost immediately (and leave flecks of paint in the camera and around the mount).

 

 

 

Actual Zeissies and Voigtländer lenses are recessed in the bajonet flange.

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Coding them is much more comfortable and sustainable :

 

Works for several months now on my M9 satisfactory.

 

One, ehm two  question to the experts:

 

I did read, that non corresponding 6bit code with frame selector (e.g. 90mm coding & 35mm frame selector) on M240 will not work.

1.) Is this statement correct?

2.) and is it possible to avoid this behave by manipulating the Frame selector on M-P (260) manually?

 

Fortunately my 12mm Ultra wide chooses 28/90 selector and ist coded as 21mm Elmarit, but there are imaginable combinations which might not work, if M does not work with non corresponding code/selector.

 

thanks for Your most wellcome answers

Thomas

 

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I did read, that non corresponding 6bit code with frame selector (e.g. 90mm coding & 35mm frame selector) on M240 will not work.

1.) Is this statement correct?

2.) and is it possible to avoid this behave by manipulating the Frame selector on M-P (260) manually?

 

 

 

Hi Thomas

A code is only valid for a frame line setting. If you code a 35mm lens with a 21mm code the camera will ignore it. You can code a 90mm lens as a 21mm as the 21s all use the 28/90 flange. This is smart by Leica in that they have ensured that they can, in the future, use all 6 bits for each frame lines setting. I can't say on the MP260, but on the M8 and M9 you could do override the lens' flange by using the frame selector lever. I always considered that too much of a pain in daily use, but we discovered it early on when self coding became a thing with M8 back in 2007.

Cheers, Carl 

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Hi Thomas

A code is only valid for a frame line setting. If you code a 35mm lens with a 21mm code the camera will ignore it. You can code a 90mm lens as a 21mm as the 21s all use the 28/90 flange. This is smart by Leica in that they have ensured that they can, in the future, use all 6 bits for each frame lines setting. I can't say on the MP260, but on the M8 and M9 you could do override the lens' flange by using the frame selector lever. I always considered that too much of a pain in daily use, but we discovered it early on when self coding became a thing with M8 back in 2007.

Cheers, Carl 

I don't believe the coding has anything whatsoever to do with the frame lines. The frame lines are set by the mechanical lens flange.

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I don't believe the coding has anything whatsoever to do with the frame lines. The frame lines are set by the mechanical lens flange.

Sure it does.  The various lens profiles are called up via a combination of the selected frame pair and 6-bit encoding.  For example if you code an unaltered 40 Summicron (which brings up the 50/75 pair) as a 35mm lens the code will not be read correctly. 

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As for self-coding, I hand-cut little depressions for the black bits and it has worked well through M8, 9 and 240.  At the time there were no pre-cut replacement flanges on fleabay.  If I had it to do today I would probably go that route, as my DIY is functional but lacks the elegance of a machined work.

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Sure it does.  The various lens profiles are called up via a combination of the selected frame pair and 6-bit encoding.  For example if you code an unaltered 40 Summicron (which brings up the 50/75 pair) as a 35mm lens the code will not be read correctly. 

I disagree. The six bit coding has absolutely nothing to do with pulling up the correct frame lines. The computer in the camera only knows that the selected lens doesn't match the frame lines and reports exit wrong. The cam and lens mount sets the frame lines.

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I disagree. The six bit coding has absolutely nothing to do with pulling up the correct frame lines. The computer in the camera only knows that the selected lens doesn't match the frame lines and reports exit wrong. The cam and lens mount sets the frame lines.

Haha we're talking at cross purposes.  I thought you were saying the selection of frame lines has nothing to do with pulling up the correct code.  I agree the codes have nothing to do with pulling up the framelines.

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Haha we're talking at cross purposes.  I thought you were saying the selection of frame lines has nothing to do with pulling up the correct code.  I agree the codes have nothing to do with pulling up the framelines.

The way it is programmed the frame lines key a menu of the appropriate lenses. IE: 35/135 frame lines pull the list of 35/135 lenses instead of all the lenses. If codes don't match frame lines the camera runs home  to mama and refuses to play.

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The way it is programmed the frame lines key a menu of the appropriate lenses. IE: 35/135 frame lines pull the list of 35/135 lenses instead of all the lenses. If codes don't match frame lines the camera runs home  to mama and refuses to play.

And here I'm with my question again:

Can I stop this refuse by choosing "corresponding" frame line manually on the M260?

On my M9 there is no control and refuse when coding and frame are not corresponding.

Thanks for your postings and discussion 'til here!

I'm thinking about change from M9 to M260, but if the camera decides to take pic or not I'll stay with my M9 until the sensor parts us....

Thomas

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Ok., I made a test before driving to work:

Did my coded 2/50 on the M9, of course info says "2/50" and franes are 50 (&75)

pushing the lens selector inwards to lens mount direction I get info "not codet", pulling Lever outwards to 35/135 Position I get info "2/50"....

 

Last one is imo the "no lens in camera" postion, here it's possible that the M9 reminds the last code.

In all postions camera shutter Releases, no blocking caused by "wrong lens, wrong selector fault".

 

So Jaap's staement is correct, M9 refuses to recognize a lens, but takes Picture!

I can live with this, but as far as I understood, M(240) will not take Picture in this "wrong lens, wrong selector fault" mode.

 

Thomas

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