How Much for 6-Bit Coding in NJ?

[John Ricard]

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Anyone know what I might expect to pay if I send my 135mm f/3.4 lens to Leica Allendale, NJ for 6-Bit coding?  Assuming of course, that there is nothing wrong with the lens and they only need to do the 6-Bit coding.

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[LarsHP]

I have bought a few M lenses used where the previous owner simply 6-bit coded the lens with a black speed marker (or the like). In other words, quite easy and just as easily reversible. There is a thread here with the codes, so just find the right one, mark the black dots, and you are set!

[jdlaing]

Last time I had one done it was $220.00

I believe the cost has gone up to somewhere around $300.00

[adan]

I just had a 28mm v.3 Leitz Canada 6-bit coded by Allendale. Price was $458.

BUT............ that also included an invoiced "repair to the focusing mount."

And it is true that before I sent it in, the aperture index mark, aperture scale, and lens-hood lug were out of alignment (twisted left 2mm) with the focus index mark/focus scale. And those are now aligned.

So I suspect the additional repair was to replace the 40-year-old, known-to-crack, Leitz/Canada plastic internal locking ring that locks the optical cell (front lens half) to the focusing mount (back lens half).

So yes, the specific price for only adding 6-bit coding is probably ~$300. And $158 for the other repair is pretty reasonable (and unlikely to be needed with the 135 APO - newer lens, different design, different factory). Process took 3.5 weeks (via my local dealer), which is pretty good for Leica NJ during the "inventory months" of March-April.

Ahh, for the old days - when I got two 6-bit codings for free, with the purchase of my first M8.

Edited May 9, 2021 by adan

[LeicaR10]

John Ricard,  I suggest you call Don Goldberg at DAG and see what he might charge and turn around time.  Try:  www.dagcamera.com   It is usually better to call than email him.  I send most of my Leica M gear to Don after it runs out of warranty and he does great work and less expensive than Leica NJ.   r/ Mark

[John Ricard]

10 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

John Ricard,  I suggest you call Don Goldberg at DAG and see what he might charge and turn around time.  Try:  www.dagcamera.com   It is usually better to call than email him.  I send most of my Leica M gear to Don after it runs out of warranty and he does great work and less expensive than Leica NJ.   r/ Mark

I've heard great things about DAG, but with regard to this specific modification, the guys from the Leica Store Miami videos (Josh and David) said Leica replaces the entire rear lens mount when they do the coding.  Other vendors just add coding to the existing mount.  So I'd rather get this specific repair done by Leica.  (BTW, not sure if you've seen any of the Leica Store Miami videos that have been posted during the past year but they are really entertaining and informative.)

[Theory033]

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I have a 20 year old Summilux 50mm E46 pre-ASPH lens that I had 6-bit coded by Leica USA recently. This was mostly done for EXIF data purposes, as I really like to know which lens I use -- sometimes looking back at photos from 10 or 15 years ago and am struck by a characteristic, and wonder "what lens was that?". So while I had no issues with the lens before, I knew that I had to have it coded since it is a lens I will keep forever. 

First, I thought about sending it to DAG or YYE Camera, who I believe both send out your mount to be routed and then paint in the codes. Although I knew it would be more expensive, I was leaning towards having it done by Leica, to have an original 6-bit coded mount. Josh Lehrer and David Farkas, from Leica Store Miami, mentioned on a recent Red Dot Forum Camera Talk episode that when they receive a used lens with non-Leica coding, they always send it to Leica NJ to have the mount replaced. They mentioned that the Leica coding lasts longer, and I also suspect it raises the value of the lens. So, I decided to send mine to Leica for the upgrade.

In all it took 3 months for the service. The lens was inspected in NJ, then went to Germany for the work. I got a quote for over $500 for the service, which included 6-bit coding, a full CLA, and adjusting the focus for digital sensors. Since the lens had a CLA within the last 1-2 year with one of the above mentioned 3rd party repair shops, I was a bit reluctant to spend the extra. However, once I received the lens I was very impressed with the work Leica did. The CLA was in another league, as the lens elements were noticeably more transparent, the aperture ring is perfectly tight, and the focus is now spot-on with my M-240. Also, when they adjusted the focus, the ring now lets me focus past the .7 m mark, to about 63cm -- I tested it with my EVF.

I'm not sure it is worth the extra for everyone, but I have no regrets about sending this lens to Leica for the 6-bit coding and other work they did while it was there. 

[tgray]

I recently had a 90 Summicron coded by DAG.  Took a while, was $160, and looks like it was machined into the existing mount, so it doesn't look *exactly* like the Leica coding.  But it works just fine.  DAG also did focus calibration which was out.

Almost 15 years ago I sent a 28 Summicron to Leica for cleaning and coding.  At the time it cost around $180.  I'm sure it's a lot more expensive now.

[plaidshirts]

On 5/9/2021 at 6:19 PM, tgray said:

I recently had a 90 Summicron coded by DAG.  Took a while, was $160, and looks like it was machined into the existing mount, so it doesn't look *exactly* like the Leica coding.  But it works just fine.  DAG also did focus calibration which was out.

Almost 15 years ago I sent a 28 Summicron to Leica for cleaning and coding.  At the time it cost around $180.  I'm sure it's a lot more expensive now.

Dag gave me a quote of $300 to get my lens coded a couple weeks ago. When I asked if that included a CLA, he replied no in a rather unpleasant way, although I think he was trying to be funny.

So long story short, might as well send it to Leica since the cost is about the same since I'd have to pay for shipping with DAG. My local Leica store takes care of all shipping for free.

[logan2z]

On 5/9/2021 at 10:13 AM, John Ricard said:

I've heard great things about DAG, but with regard to this specific modification, the guys from the Leica Store Miami videos (Josh and David) said Leica replaces the entire rear lens mount when they do the coding.  Other vendors just add coding to the existing mount.  

That's correct. I just bought a lens from Leica Store Miami that was recently CLA'd and 6-bit coded and the bayonet mount was replaced to code it.  Lens looks and feels brand new.

[grahamc]

On 11/17/2021 at 8:47 PM, Al Brown said:

I know it is not NJ or USA but this is the "mothership" price from an official quote I got from Leica Camera AG Wetzlar for my 75 Summilux in February 2021:

"A 6-bit coding for our end customers including calibration costs € 284.41 including VAT, plus shipping costs. The 6-bit coding always includes the calibration. We offer this as a package. Should repairs and focusing be necessary, add additional costs of approx. € 177.31 including VAT."

Thanks Al.   What is the difference between 'calibration' and the 'focussing' (that is mentioned later for an additional cost), do you think ?   Do you think this cost includes CLA or am I dreaming  

Cheers 

Graham 

[graphlex]

On 11/17/2021 at 2:47 AM, Al Brown said:

I know it is not NJ or USA but this is the "mothership" price from an official quote I got from Leica Camera AG Wetzlar for my 75 Summilux in February 2021:

"A 6-bit coding for our end customers including calibration costs € 284.41 including VAT, plus shipping costs. The 6-bit coding always includes the calibration. We offer this as a package. Should repairs and focusing be necessary, add additional costs of approx. € 177.31 including VAT."

For a mechanism as complicated as the 75mm Summilux, that seems a bargain. 

[Danner]

On 5/9/2021 at 2:05 AM, LeicaR10 said:

John Ricard,  I suggest you call Don Goldberg at DAG and see what he might charge and turn around time.  Try:  www.dagcamera.com   It is usually better to call than email him.  I send most of my Leica M gear to Don after it runs out of warranty and he does great work and less expensive than Leica NJ.   r/ Mark

My M6 has been sitting on a shelf at DAG for 3.5 months waiting (you never hear a word from DAG, BTW) for an MP finder upgrade, so make sure you have another camera to use during the very long wait.

Edited December 16, 2021 by Danner

[LeicaR10]

Danner,  As I recommended in my post #5, you should call Don first and explain what you want and the turn around time.  Don would have answered your questions and noted your expected turn around time.  He has always repaired and returned my M gear as expected.  If you needed your camera by a certain time, Don would bend over backwards to do so.  If your camera needed a special part(s) (perhaps your MP finder upgrade falls in that category) that he gets from the Leica parts department, (Leica has supply chain issues like everyone else these days)  he would tell you so and that adds to return delivery extension.  From you post above, it appears you didn't call Don and discuss your repair issues and return expectation date.  I and many others on the forum, to include Leica dealers have excellent results with Don.  Unfortunately your expectations weren't met.  I am not making excuses for Don or DAG, just stating my experience and how one should best handle any repair going to DAG.    r/ Mark

[rtai]

I am thinking about sending my silver chrome 35mm Summilux asph pre-FLE and the v3 Noctilux to Leica USA for coding. The Summilux is already more than 20 years ago. The coding process will include adjustments so a good opportunity to collimate the even older Noctilux. These lenses are quite expensive so the coding cost is reasonable. I would appreciate any input. Do they do it in NJ or are the lenses sent to Germany?