RFF to encode leica and Zeiss lenses

[MP Guy]

Dear RFF M lens owners. Rangeinderforum.com is in the process of acquiring the necessary equipment and data to encode M lenses with the new Leica 6-bit code for use with the upcoming M8. Once confirmed, this service will be offered to RFF members at a substantial savings. RFF is also working on applying the code to the Zeiss ZM lenses.

Stay Tuned for more information.

MORE INFO Feb 2007

Stefan Daniels, Head of Production for Leica Camera explained at the Wetzlar LHSA meeting (during Photokina) that the M8 Lens bar coding system is patent applied for. RFF will NOT encode the M8 bar codes.

Stephen Gandy

 

[Ash]

Wow this is brilliant news. I hope this gets off the ground soon and works well for all you M users!

 

[Nachkebia]

Yessss!! excellent!

 

[telenous]

Excellent news. Where would one have to send the lenses though? The US?

 

[JohnL]

fANTASTIC!

 

[ghost]

hey, now that's nice.

 

[Burkey]

Great! Now the obvious question: what about other M-mount lenses such as Cosina Voigtlanders? 'Just thought I should ask. 😎

 

[erikhaugsby]

Wow, so I guess RFF does have clout in the rangefinder world! I do wonder what "substantial" amounts to: 10%? 20%? Regardless, good for you lucky M8'ers.

 

[MP Guy]

Still working on getting hardware and coding logic. But if all goes well and as planned we are probably looking at $50.00 if one send the bayonet in and $70.00 if the lens is sent for bayonet removal. Of course, shipping is extra but minimal.

Stay tuned for more.

 

[Bob Ross]

Jorge, Another idea would be to obtain a supply of the screw mount to M mount adapters in the three frameline flavors and do batches for the most popular current CV lenses. I made this suggestion to someone else about a month ago and he was going to have the adapters fabricated locally (in the USA) by one of the machinists he knows in the auto indusrty. I told him that having a camera part made in the USA would be unique...🙂

 

[MP Guy]

I am open to all ideas.

 

[Glenn2]

I wonder what the code would have to contain for something like the VC 15mm? Do you pick the code of the nearest Leica glass and let it go at that? Am sure the system info will be cracked shortly after the first M8's reach market. Wonder if there will be provision to enter lens ID via the cameras menus like the D200 does? Not as simple and quick as the coded flange, but still able to take advantage of possible features.

Glenn

 

[ampguy]

Very exciting. Jorge, let me know if you need help with this project.

 

[amateriat]

What, no M-Hexanons on the list!? 😉

Seriously, I'll be in no position whatever to purchase an M8 (and, as mentioned elsewhere, I'm still having too good a time with film and scanning to care at the moment), but this is an idea worth pursuing nonetheless, sometime in the future. (Hell, it's an M-mount; what's to stop us?)


- Barrett

 

[anselwannab]

Leica patents the viewfinder magnifier add on, but doesn't patent this new lens "Morse Code" system?

Do the Tri-Elmar's have dots that move?

Mark

 

[rvaubel]

I would be wary of encoding my lenses until I knew the in-camera firmware "improvements" of the image could be turned OFF. For example, I know that reducing or eliminating vignetting on my 21mm Kobalux WILL increase noise in the corners. There is a trade-off I want to control. In general, I want RAW data to be outputted from the camera in the purest form possible. Save all the in-camera firmware manipulation of the data for JPEGs but leave the RAW data alone. Please

Still it would be nice if the focal length of the lens in use was recorded in the metadata. That about all I want out of lens encoding.

Rex

 

[Mark Norton]

Since the coding is specific not just to the focal length but the actual lens type, you can be sure that the image correction applied will be lens unique. There are 8 or so codings for 50mm lenses. Which code are you goimng to give a Zeiss 50mm or is it a case of close your eyes and choose with a pin?

 

[ampguy]

these are great points

these are great points

ideally, there will be options to turn off in camera adjustments, just as if there were no coding on the lens, and also, an ability to apply a different coding lens bit-mask to the firmware, for special or different effects, though I doubt the latter will be supported, it will likely be tested by creative barrel taping, etc.

Since the coding is specific not just to the focal length but the actual lens type, you can be sure that the image correction applied will be lens unique. There are 8 or so codings for 50mm lenses. Which code are you goimng to give a Zeiss 50mm or is it a case of close your eyes and choose with a pin?

 

[jaapv]

A great idea, but... no patent problems?

 

[Jon Graham]

Jorge,

'Offering' RFF members a special deal on encoding seems a bit suspicious to me. Most of your advertisers are direct or indirect Leica resellers. Stick to running the forum and let the Leica dependant businesses come up with their own 'discounted' encoding.

I am sure I will get flamed for what I have said, but your business model is to have a forum with paid subscribers and advertisers. It will only get muddied by you offering any hardware for sale.