Removing Zeiss M 18mm flange/mount - How easy is it going to be?

[mmanzz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello, i was speaking to the authorized zeiss distributer for Canada and he sent me a docuement from Zeiss in Thornwwood, NY that indicates the lens mount options. The Distagon ZM T 4/18 is listed as an inside lever position with the 28mm + 90mm frames lines visible on RF cameras.

 

Ron

[Advertisement]

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

[Richard.no]

Thanks, Sean! I am looking forward to your further findings on the ZM 18mm and "accessories".

 

I just bought the lens, and I am waiting impatiently for it to arrive. As you suggest, I will check how Cornerfix can take care of the cyan casts before I go ahead and start with acetone and the Z18M8. I haven't used Cornerfix yet, but as I understand it does batches, making it very useful, I suppose.

 

Again thanks.

 

I'll be reviewing John's adapter as soon as I get time (including cyan drift tests). Search the posts and look for the advice on gradually adding acetone, working the screw in its thread, etc. Don't forget that you can also just use Cornerfix and leave the bayonet alone.

 

Short Review: John's adapter fits correctly, doesn't alter focus accuracy and triggers the WATE detection.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Curious why not just change the mount add the code and be done with it. Corner fix is nice and all that don't get me wrong but why bother in the first place. If your going to use a IR filter than just go for the mount and and code than you don't have to deal with corner fix. Corner fix is really intended at this point for a 12mm which we can't code and others that can not be coded . For me i don't want to play in a extra software to get the results I need and don't have the time for it. I go shoot i may use the 18mm 10 different times in a SD card than i need to go find those images make the corrections than go back and process everything. That is what you are looking at doing, now if you have the time that is great but i don't want to do extra works myself.

[Richard.no]

Initially, I agree with you, Guy. Your point about using different lenses on one card is very valid. I even can't sort them by lens/EXIF (because the lenses are not coded ). But I am going to give the Cornerfix option a try anyway. The program has received a lot of praise, and this kind of investigation/freeware-project needs to checked out (and maybe supported).

 

I suspect that after a few try-outs I will order a Z18M8 mount, buy some acetone and that 2mm screw driver and get on with it. It sure would be most convenient!

 

Best,

Richard.

 

Curious why not just change the mount add the code and be done with it. Corner fix is nice and all that don't get me wrong but why bother in the first place. If your going to use a IR filter than just go for the mount and and code than you don't have to deal with corner fix. Corner fix is really intended at this point for a 12mm which we can't code and others that can not be coded . For me i don't want to play in a extra software to get the results I need and don't have the time for it. I go shoot i may use the 18mm 10 different times in a SD card than i need to go find those images make the corrections than go back and process everything. That is what you are looking at doing, now if you have the time that is great but i don't want to do extra works myself.

[sean_reid]

Curious why not just change the mount add the code and be done with it. Corner fix is nice and all that don't get me wrong but why bother in the first place. If your going to use a IR filter than just go for the mount and and code than you don't have to deal with corner fix. Corner fix is really intended at this point for a 12mm which we can't code and others that can not be coded . For me i don't want to play in a extra software to get the results I need and don't have the time for it. I go shoot i may use the 18mm 10 different times in a SD card than i need to go find those images make the corrections than go back and process everything. That is what you are looking at doing, now if you have the time that is great but i don't want to do extra works myself.

 

Hi Guy,

 

You and I have discussed this on and off list and, for most lenses, I agree. But here are some reasons to just batch the ZM 18 files with Cornerfix.

 

1. The M8's WATE corrections (as Leica was stressing to me recently) are specifically designed to work with the Leica 67 mm filter. According to Leica, that filter is indeed a bit different from the others.

 

Even when a 49 mm is used with the WATE, via John's holder, the M8 corrections are OK but often not on the money. I'll publish my tests of the coded Zeiss 18 soon but the M8's corrections for an 18 are so-so under some lighting conditions.

 

Overall, Cornerfix tends to do a better job with ultra-wides than does the M8 firmware itself.

 

2. If one's other lenses are all coded, it should be easy to indentify the ZM 18 pics because they'll be the ones that show no focal length in the EXIF.

 

3. A 58 on the Zeiss 18 will be better shielded from stray light than will a 55 on an adapter.

 

4. Not changing the bayonet means not voiding one's warranty and not risking breaking off a screw in the process. It also means less hassle and expense.

 

John adapter is excellent. You know that I love his stuff. But there are also good reasons to just leave the ZM 18 uncoded.

 

Best,

 

Sean

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Yea i know Sean but it is doing very well in most lighting ,have not tried it under tungsten yet but daylight is very nice. I love Sandy's conerfix and he knows that but i just try to use that as last resort just because of the hassle part and sometimes 1k in images is just too much to rip apart the folder but i agree cornerfix maybe more accurate in all situations , i just use it when they need is really there. My 12mm i turn the coding off and don't use a filter unless i am in a situation that needs the IR with that lens pretty rare. And absolutely I voided my warranty.

 

But so far it is working nice but i may switch it to 60mm instead so i can get a decent hood going the one supplied is worthless