6 BIT LENSES & The 24mm ?

[azzo]

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From now on, are all M System lenses going to be the 6 BIT type ? And another question. Does anyone know the reason why production for the 24mm Elmarit ASPH in chrome stopped ? Thanks AZZO

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[leicapfile]

I beleive Leica announced that from July 1st onward of this year, all lenses for the M (save the 135mm) would be manufactured with the 6 bit coding. Of course the coding for existing lenses can be added in retro fashion. Again except for the 135.

 

Why did Leitz cut back on chrome lens production? Probably because sales of chrome v. black finish were heavily on the black side, and manufacturing costs were higher for the brass/chrome plated lenses. Some lenses will still be made in chrome, but probably limited edition ones only.

 

In the 70's Leitz dropped chrome lenses, then reintroduced them in the 80's, albeit with a premium of $100 or so a lens for chrome. They then dropped the premium in the 90's.

 

Personally I prefer the chrome finish, both for the durability of the finish and the extra weight seems to aid me in steadying the camera at slow speeds. Others may have a different opinion, especially if they have to lug around a bunch of bodies and lenses all day.

 

Best,

 

Jerry

[lambroving]

Oddly, Tony Rose has the silver chrome 24/2.8 on his site at Popflash, 6-bit coded.Thought they were extinct myself. POPFLASH.COM - Cameras and Photographic Equipment