DIY DX Coding!

[Bappy1988]

Hi Guys,

I'm probably in the minority here, but my main 35mm camera body doesn't allow me to override ISO 🙁

It supports dx coding for AE, but as it doesn't allow the user to override the ISO speed, I can't push unless I shoot entirely on manual and use an external light meter.

I've decided to make my own DX coding labels because I'm a lazy photographer and I like to let my camera do some of the work for me 🙂

So, in case anyone is interested, the process is simple. I use self-adhesive aluminium foil pipe/duct repair tape, cut a piece 33mmx36mm and stick it to the can tucked up under the lip where the film comes out. I then print out a dx coding label/template.

my dx coding web page
I wrote a simple php program (^link^) that takes your film parameters and creates you a jpeg for a dx coding label.

All you have to do is print this out on a piece of label paper @ 96DPI and it should measure 36mm x 33mm. Cut out the WHITE parts of the dx code section using a stanley blade/xacto and affix the label on top of the aluminium foil already there!

I've only just written the php program this morning (haven't fully tested ALL the possible combinations) and I've taken the values from a wikipedia article so make sure you double check that the dx code looks right before using (I won't be held responsible for any mishap that may occur as a result of using this program...)

hopefully others will find this useful. Please leave a comment if you use it and comment any errors or issues here.

Thanks & happy shooting 🙂

 

[Fuchs]

Bappy1998, thank you so much! My Leica CM lets you stuck with using only the DX reader, so this is a very welcome asset for me 🙂

 

[B-9]

Nice! Thanks for taking the time!

 

[sepiareverb]

Yes thank you! Will look forward to losing the ISO dot from the M7.

What is the tolerance portion about?

 

[Bappy1988]

Cool I'm glad it'll be useful 🙂

Tolerance.. well that's an odd one. Different film stocks can support different amounts of over/under exposure. Most cameras have the option to adjust exposure compensation. Normally you can adjust by +/-2ev. It's my understanding that the dx coding here tells the camera how tolerant the film is to this setting.

I have no cameras that use the 2nd row at all so I cannot comment on how your camera will handle it, like I said I just lifted the specs straight off of Wikipedia.

My guess is that if you're I'm doubt select +/-1 for a generic film or +/- 1/2 for films that have a narrow tolerance for variance in exposure like slide film.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me can guide you better on that!

Happy shooting

 

[sepiareverb]

Thanks. I will absolutely be running some jpegs tomorrow. I shoot PanF+ at 40, Efke 25 and Rollei Ortho at 20, and I've not shot any of this with the M7 for a while because of the dang dot. This will be a delight. I should do one at 800 also for pushing HP5+...

 

[Bappy1988]

a coded can!

Just in case anyone wanted to see the end result, here's a roll of rollei ATP complete with DX Code!

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Thom seems to think the latitude field is for the printing, note the DX code is replicated on the film itself by manufacturers.:
Finally, the exposure latitude is indicated by positions 11-12. Latitude is used by some automatic processors for print film, but is not relavent to slide film (note that the Kodak Gold film in the above photo shows that it has +3 to -1 stop latitude).
http://www.bythom.com/dxcodes.htm

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I remember Porter's used to sell pre-printed DX coding labels.
Ultrafine currently offers reloadable cartridges DX coded for 100 and 400.

Chris