6 Bit Lens flange form China

[Knightspirit]

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I was hoping to get one of these flanges for my 50mm Summicron (V4)  but every single ad looks like its from the same company, and Ebay won't allow me to purchase any of them. I know some have purchased these and used them. Has any one else encountered this? Here is one of the links.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387787825366?_skw=6+bit+ring+for+Leica+Summicron+F2&itmmeta=01JJ2N353XB6P5F93AXXPR8DRG&hash=item5a49f4a0d6:g:RdMAAOSw~U9mxNnH&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABAHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKms%2BhQx2P%2FohdW6ZB3BJV2B1BquJrPvsySZlMLDehKYOfwKVE%2FnQeNaqy70x%2FqKCsIGPulZ7KeLJgKPgDC69IOBxNt5FOBT1logCrvsHw2urbFjsp9xTrYesuPfp5kCLUncWFZ9vhswWcxT2wNBlIIe7c3b14zWH1kZVJa8knOmKMmnbJKnpW6TTMZay0ILXlo%2Fc8tmp9hRgU4k7iYTlmxDYTHX1vnJvUeq3t4Xwj8ap%2F9OV4Oj5O2VWrTZFxXPCqEfU2KKjAUZpm3Ktj6AgbC640JRpynCcR6aRBRIujun5WuQnkucEq%2B%2FSubyMIq77nc%3D|tkp%3ABFBMnNKM1ZBl

Is it just me - or are you getting the error message: 

 

Unfortunately, this item isn’t available for purchase in your location.{e2

[Knorp]

Why not buy from the States (photographer_in_mask) ?

I've bought three flanges from him: all good.

All the best.

[Xavier]

A few years ago, I purchased a lens flange from an ebay retailer. The result was a disaster, as the holes were not even in the proper location... While not expensive, it was still a frustrating experience so I would advise to buy from a reputable source.

[Knightspirit]

2 hours ago, Knorp said:

Why not buy from the States (photographer_in_mask) ?

I've bought three flanges from him: all good.

All the best.

Yes - this was my first choice but EBay gives me that error! I don’t get that except on this item. Gonna call support again…

Edited January 20 by Knightspirit

[Einst_Stein]

4 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I was hoping to get one of these flanges for my 50mm Summicron (V4)  but every single ad looks like its from the same company, and Ebay won't allow me to purchase any of them. I know some have purchased these and used them. Has any one else encountered this? Here is one of the links.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387787825366?_skw=6+bit+ring+for+Leica+Summicron+F2&itmmeta=01JJ2N353XB6P5F93AXXPR8DRG&hash=item5a49f4a0d6:g:RdMAAOSw~U9mxNnH&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABAHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKms%2BhQx2P%2FohdW6ZB3BJV2B1BquJrPvsySZlMLDehKYOfwKVE%2FnQeNaqy70x%2FqKCsIGPulZ7KeLJgKPgDC69IOBxNt5FOBT1logCrvsHw2urbFjsp9xTrYesuPfp5kCLUncWFZ9vhswWcxT2wNBlIIe7c3b14zWH1kZVJa8knOmKMmnbJKnpW6TTMZay0ILXlo%2Fc8tmp9hRgU4k7iYTlmxDYTHX1vnJvUeq3t4Xwj8ap%2F9OV4Oj5O2VWrTZFxXPCqEfU2KKjAUZpm3Ktj6AgbC640JRpynCcR6aRBRIujun5WuQnkucEq%2B%2FSubyMIq77nc%3D|tkp%3ABFBMnNKM1ZBl

Is it just me - or are you getting the error message: 

 

Unfortunately, this item isn’t available for purchase in your location.{e2

Long time ago I bought one for ZM lens. It turned out the location of the screw did not match what the flang was expected. 
Check your lens before buying. 

[DadDadDaddyo]

Look for the OEM Leitz M Adapters. They're typically not hard to find on EeeeeeekBay.

They say 'Leitz' on them. They're old, but machined perfectly by the same craftsmen who built the bodies. They're focal length-specific, which means they have the correct cutouts to engage the correct frame lines for a particular focal length. 

Last time I looked they were running around $100. So, you can choose between that or some questionable piece of who-knows-what metal stamped out who-knows-where for less.

Which would you rather put on your Leica body? 

[Einst_Stein]

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If you really want 6-bit code and want non-Leica lenses, you might want to wait a while. I heard some non-Leica makers are considering to standardize the location of the screes and the notch so that the “standard” 6-bit adapter can be used. 

This probably only works for China made lenses.  It is unlikely to work for Zeiss or Voigtlander. 

[archive_all]

On 1/20/2025 at 3:11 PM, Knightspirit said:

I was hoping to get one of these flanges for my 50mm Summicron (V4)  but every single ad looks like its from the same company, and Ebay won't allow me to purchase any of them. I know some have purchased these and used them. Has any one else encountered this? Here is one of the links.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387787825366?_skw=6+bit+ring+for+Leica+Summicron+F2&itmmeta=01JJ2N353XB6P5F93AXXPR8DRG&hash=item5a49f4a0d6:g:RdMAAOSw~U9mxNnH&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABAHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKms%2BhQx2P%2FohdW6ZB3BJV2B1BquJrPvsySZlMLDehKYOfwKVE%2FnQeNaqy70x%2FqKCsIGPulZ7KeLJgKPgDC69IOBxNt5FOBT1logCrvsHw2urbFjsp9xTrYesuPfp5kCLUncWFZ9vhswWcxT2wNBlIIe7c3b14zWH1kZVJa8knOmKMmnbJKnpW6TTMZay0ILXlo%2Fc8tmp9hRgU4k7iYTlmxDYTHX1vnJvUeq3t4Xwj8ap%2F9OV4Oj5O2VWrTZFxXPCqEfU2KKjAUZpm3Ktj6AgbC640JRpynCcR6aRBRIujun5WuQnkucEq%2B%2FSubyMIq77nc%3D|tkp%3ABFBMnNKM1ZBl

Is it just me - or are you getting the error message: 

 

Unfortunately, this item isn’t available for purchase in your location.{e2

I wouldn't buy a non Leica flange. I actually had one on my 50 cron V5 and I can say that the tolerance was not good and caused my lens to back focus. The knock off one was measurably different using calipers. Certainly not worth it just for 6 bit coding.

[Einst_Stein]

1 hour ago, archive_all said:

I wouldn't buy a non Leica flange. I actually had one on my 50 cron V5 and I can say that the tolerance was not good and caused my lens to back focus. The knock off one was measurably different using calipers. Certainly not worth it just for 6 bit coding.

If you don’t trust third party flange, just send your lens to Leica or trustworthy experts to do the 6-bit coding. 

[archive_all]

2 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

If you don’t trust third party flange, just send your lens to Leica or trustworthy experts to do the 6-bit coding. 

It wasn't a lack of trust in my case but the thickness was actually different which affected focus. I just went back to the original flange and it was a non-issue. 

[Knightspirit]

5 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

If you don’t trust third party flange, just send your lens to Leica or trustworthy experts to do the 6-bit coding. 

I was hoping to have the leica flange installed when I had it CLA’d by a third party but they couldn’t get the leica flange. Not willing to wait 6 mos for Leica to do it. I will however check eBay for the Leica version!

[Einst_Stein]

7 minutes ago, Knightspirit said:

I was hoping to have the leica flange installed when I had it CLA’d by a third party but they couldn’t get the leica flange. Not willing to wait 6 mos for Leica to do it. I will however check eBay for the Leica version!

I had my Leica serviced by DAG, including 6-bit coding. I am very happy. It was several years ago. I paid about $150 for the service and 6-bit coding. Not sure the price now.Camera

[Knightspirit]

16 hours ago, DadDadDaddyo said:

Look for the OEM Leitz M Adapters. They're typically not hard to find on EeeeeeekBay.

They say 'Leitz' on them. They're old, but machined perfectly by the same craftsmen who built the bodies. They're focal length-specific, which means they have the correct cutouts to engage the correct frame lines for a particular focal length. 

Last time I looked they were running around $100. So, you can choose between that or some questionable piece of who-knows-what metal stamped out who-knows-where for less.

Which would you rather put on your Leica body? 

I've not seen anything on eBay for this - if you have a link please post it. Everything on Ebay for 6 bit flanges are Chinese. Are you sure we are talking about the same thing? I'm not looking for an adapter - but a flange for 6 bit coding...

[250swb]

14 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

If you really want 6-bit code and want non-Leica lenses, you might want to wait a while. I heard some non-Leica makers are considering to standardize the location of the screes and the notch so that the “standard” 6-bit adapter can be used. 

This probably only works for China made lenses.  It is unlikely to work for Zeiss or Voigtlander. 

But even the screws on Leica lenses aren't always in the same position so what is 'standard' supposed to be? This is why if you order a six bit adapter from eBay you have to make sure the one you order matches the lens you have, which actually doesn't seem too difficult. Complainants who have 'the holes in the wrong place' simply bought the wrong adapter.

Edited January 24 by 250swb

[Einst_Stein]

5 hours ago, 250swb said:

But even the screws on Leica lenses aren't always in the same position so what is 'standard' supposed to be? This is why if you order a six bit adapter from eBay you have to make sure the one you order matches the lens you have, which actually doesn't seem too difficult. Complainants who have 'the holes in the wrong place' simply bought the wrong adapter.

I don't know either. Maybe standard for lenses made by those in that circle? 

[DadDadDaddyo]

7 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

Everything on Ebay for 6 bit flanges are Chinese.

That may be true. I wasn't suggesting that there were OEM Leitz adapters with 6 bit coding; as far as I know, there weren't any. 

What I'm saying is that the OEM adapters fit best and are safest for your Leica body,  by a wide, wide margin. 

There are plenty of ways to add 6 bit coding to an adapter or a lens flange. You don't need the pits to do 6 bit encoding. You can get accurate positioning using a template. A Sharpie works for me. It may wear off eventually but that actually reflects the merits of the ink: you can correct the positioning if you need to. 

I tried a third-party flange, once. Exactly once. As I was starting to put it on the body I felt it begin to bind. I stopped immediately, reversed, and removed it, never to go near my camera again. I didn't want a gouged lens mount. Bought an OEM Leitz adapter instead, probably for less than an OEM conversion would have cost. Goes on smooth as silk, just like a Leica M-mount lens. 

Edited January 24 by DadDadDaddyo

[BernardC]

9 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I was hoping to have the leica flange installed when I had it CLA’d by a third party but they couldn’t get the leica flange. Not willing to wait 6 mos for Leica to do it. I will however check eBay for the Leica version!

6-bit coding is done in New Jersey, so the turnaround is closer to 3 weeks than 6 months. That's how long my last lens took, and that includes international shipping (Canada).

[Knightspirit]

2 hours ago, DadDadDaddyo said:

That may be true. I wasn't suggesting that there were OEM Leitz adapters with 6 bit coding; as far as I know, there weren't any. 

What I'm saying is that the OEM adapters fit best and are safest for your Leica body,  by a wide, wide margin. 

There are plenty of ways to add 6 bit coding to an adapter or a lens flange. You don't need the pits to do 6 bit encoding. You can get accurate positioning using a template. A Sharpie works for me. It may wear off eventually but that actually reflects the merits of the ink: you can correct the positioning if you need to. 

I tried a third-party flange, once. Exactly once. As I was starting to put it on the body I felt it begin to bind. I stopped immediately, reversed, and removed it, never to go near my camera again. I didn't want a gouged lens mount. Bought an OEM Leitz adapter instead, probably for less than an OEM conversion would have cost. Goes on smooth as silk, just like a Leica M-mount lens. 

Where were you able to buy an OEM flange? Or are you talking about an LTM to M adapter? I have the template for coding, but so far have not had consistent results, thus the desire to just get the flange. I guess I will send it in at some point…

[DadDadDaddyo]

@Knightspirit

I have several OEM Leica Thread Mount (LTM) to M-mount adapters. They match the focal lengths of the lenses I use them on, so the frame lines are correct. They simply stay on the lenses. 

Leica designed and machined the mounts on the LTM bodies and the M-mount bodies to differ in thickness by a certain exact amount. That amount? The  thickness of the OEM LTM to M adapter. 

Crafty guys...

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[TomB_tx]

It's not just the thickness, but also the alignment of the ltm thread "start" to the M flange, so the lens orients at correct rotation. Most critical with the ltm 35 Summaron 3.5, where the ltm flange has a narrow opening for the roller that must align exactly with the adapter. Most aftermarket do not.