UV/IR filters

arnulf

arnulf

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So, I got the two free uv/ir filters that Leica provides for free to M8 buyers today and I have a question:

According to the instruction leaflet "Leica 6-bit coded lenses are necessary for the use of this filter with the LEICA M8" What does that mean? I thought the coding was just for the camera to recognize what lens was being used. How does a uv/ir filter on an uncoded lens affect anything?
 
The firmware in the camera works with the lens identification and the IR/CUT filter. This is most important with wide-angle lenses (wider than 35mm). So depending on which lenses you have, assuming they're not 6-bit coded, you should still be able to turn the lens identification to “off” and still gain the benefit from the IR/CUT filter even though you might have uncoded lenses.

If your lenses are coded, just set your camera's lens identification to "On + IR/CUT filter" and you're good to go.

I strongly recommend getting all of your M lenses coded - trust me, your M8 experience will be much happier.
 
Thanks Bill. Well, I have one 28mm that is coded and a 35mm that isn't. Guess I should get the 35 coded. But how expensive is that and how long does it take to get it done?
 
arnulf said:
... I have one 28mm that is coded and a 35mm that isn't. Guess I should get the 35 coded. But how expensive is that and how long does it take to get it done?
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You should be fine. Try it out first by comparing the coded 28 (lens ID on) and the uncoded 35 (lens ID off). If you're lucky you will only miss the exif data with your uncoded lenses.

In any case, in my experience Leica doesn't do anything fast. My lenses were sent in all at once (there were nine in all) and came back in groups, taking from three to nine weeks.

Coding at Leica (retail) is $175. If your 28 was purchased new you may be able to get your other two lenses coded at Leica for free. Talk to your Leica dealer about this.
 
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Tuolumne said:
$175/lens buys alot of Mickey Mouse. /T
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I am forced to agree.

At the time I got mine coded, Leica offered a voucher for coding two lenses with the purchase and registration of a new Leica lens. Based on the way I had purchased my lenses, I only had to pay for two or three of them (and that was before the price increased from $125 to $175).

Even so, John Milich does it quite well for only $25 a piece.
 
Two more questions not to open one more thread:

1. How do ir/uv filters impact when i'm shooting film?
2. If coding myself should I put codes taking in consideration the crop factor or not?
 
Arvay said:
Two more questions not to open one more thread:

1. How do ir/uv filters impact when i'm shooting film?
2. If coding myself should I put codes taking in consideration the crop factor or not?
Click to expand...

Do not use IR/CUT filters when shooting film. The latest Leica lenses all have their own code, which work in conjunction with the framelines they activate. Use the table in the link below for self-coding.


http://www.digital-leica.com/lens_codes/
 
BillBlackwell said:
Do not use IR/CUT filters when shooting film. The latest Leica lenses all have their own code, which work in conjunction with the framelines they activate. Use the table in the link below for self-coding.


http://www.digital-leica.com/lens_codes/
Click to expand...


Bill,

I have no Leica latest lenses. I'm talking of my CZ Sonnar and Biogon.
What if I just forgot to remove filter from the lens putting it to a film body? Will it impact something in a bad way?
 
The instructions say: "Because of the blocking effect of the filter, when using analog color film there will be undesirable color effects in the corners of the pictures; the filter should therefore not be used with such film"

So there!
 
arnulf said:
The instructions say: "Because of the blocking effect of the filter, when using analog color film there will be undesirable color effects in the corners of the pictures; the filter should therefore not be used with such film"

So there!
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Thanks! I should make a memo somewhere on a cam 🙂
 
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Arvay said:
Bill,

I have no Leica latest lenses. I'm talking of my CZ Sonnar and Biogon.
What if I just forgot to remove filter from the lens putting it to a film body? Will it impact something in a bad way?
Click to expand...

I keep my uv/ir filters on all the time and have yet to run into problems on film. It should only goof up the corners if you're using wide angle lenses on color film.
 
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