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ROM lens conversion


robsteve

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I have been in Toronto for the past few days and took the opportunity to have Kindermann install ROM contacts on two of my lenses. They installed the ROM contacts on my 180mm APO Summicron and a 400mm APO-Telyt.

 

With the 400mm in three cam, the f2.8 Aperure misreads on the R8 and R9, showing f3.4 instead of 2.8 unless you have the lens fitted with ROM. With this lens, there was an added bonus of fitting ROM. With the ROM conversion, one of the cams that controls the aperture click stops is replaced. I now have a half stop between f2.8 and F4. In its original state the 400mm F2.8 did not have a half stop between f2.8 and f4. There were times when there was just enough light to close down half a stop, but the lens would not allow it. I now have that option.

 

Once again Kindermann has impressed me with their great service. I dropped off the two lenses yesterday and they were finished by the end of day.

 

Robert

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Gerry was on vacation this week. The other technician, Tommy did the conversions.

 

If the R10 requires ROM, now is the time to do the ROM conversions on any lenses you intend on keeping. We have all seen what happed to service times for the M gear when the M8 came out. The same could happen with the R.

 

Robert

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I recently inquired about having a ROM conversion with Leica, New Jersey. They estimated about 3 months time. I have 2 lenses that do not have ROM contacts so maybe I will try Kindermann. Rob, can you say what they charge for the conversion?

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They had a flat rate of $299 Canadian. It was probably equivalent to the rate NJ charges when the USD was 1.35 to the Canadian dollar.

 

When you call or email to enquire, they need to know your lens serial number to make sure they have the right ROM fittings. Just a note on their email address, it is wrong on their serivce page. If you copy and paste the email off that page, there will be a space in it where there shouldn't be. Here are the two emails I have for Kindemann. I think they both get answered by the same person.

 

service@kindermann.ca

info@kindermann.ca

 

Kindermann Canada

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Here are a few images from my just Rommed 400mm. It was an inside game with stadium lighting, so I was only able to shoot at f2.8 and 1/500th and 800iso. There is a bit of motion blur because of the slower shutter speed. When it was in focus and the movement wasn't too fast, the 400mm was pretty sharp at f2.8.

 

If you clickon the image it will bring up a gallery with a few more images from the game.

 

L1000208_thumb.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

Hey Guys,

Tell me though, what advantage comes, in general, with the ROM conversion? I've been thinking about having some of my R lenses ROMmed, but am not sure what advantages will come of it. Specifically, with ROM contacts, will my focal length info be transferred to my R8/DMR? What other possible reasons are there for ROM conversion?

Troy

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The Rom is very handy, especially when using my Metz MZ3 flash unit on the R8/9.

Whenever I change focal lenght or aparture on my 28-90, the flash unit corresponds accordingly, thanks to ROM.

 

So I would say that Rom will be an asset, as Leica will surely introduce other goodies to the R10.

 

Ken.

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I hesitate as i wonder if new rom contacts will be necessary for the R10. Any idea about this?

 

I have a feeling ROM contacts will be essential for the R10 (or at least you will be restricted in functionality if you use just 3 cam lenses)

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I have a feeling ROM contacts will be essential for the R10 (or at least you will be restricted in functionality if you use just 3 cam lenses)

Thank you Andy yes that is my feeling as well but i wonder if new electric contacts will be necessary or if existing ones will be enough for the R10. Do you think existing rom contacts are numerous enough to cope with new functionalities?

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Do you think existing rom contacts are numerous enough to cope with new functionalities?

 

If the R10 is going to support old lenses, I think the biggest deal is to get them recognized by the camera and enable EXIF, in camera digital correction etc. ... the ROM contacts will only function on a R10 (if they will) as the 6-bit code as the M lenses on M8 IMO.

 

There're 9 metal contacts on the ROM lenses, more than any of the Japanese AUTO anything peers has ... I believe it's more than sufficient and there could be 3 or 4 of them which have never been used.

 

I've long suspected the R8 and R9 may be stripped down versions of a more advanced model .... Leica took some features away because people may not like it, such as AF. :)

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.... the ROM contacts will only function on a R10 (if they will) as the 6-bit code as the M lenses on M8 IMO....

They could be used as well to change the frames: GF* for new lenses, FF for others, or to warn users to go to the gym if they want to carry AF zoom lenses of the next generation.

*Godzilla frame

 

heavy_R10.gif

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OK, but do the ROM contacts, transfer focal length information to the DMR's EXIF info?

Troy

 

Yes, the focal length shows up in the DMR's exif info for prime lenses with ROM contacts. With zooms, it does not record the focal length set when the picture was shot.

 

Robert

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They could be used as well to change the frames: GF* for new lenses, FF for others, or to warn users to go to the gym if they want to carry AF zoom lenses of the next generation.

*Godzilla frame

 

You know what? Rolex watches are heavier than handcuffs and that's why people need to build muscles. LOL

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OK, but do the ROM contacts, transfer focal length information to the DMR's EXIF info?

Troy

 

Beyond that, ROM contacts also allow for in-camera vignetting correction. Robert had indeed mentioned this before too.

 

Cheers,

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