Leica M-D (type 262) and non-coded lenses

[RMFM6]

I am considering a Leica M-D (type 262) but I had read that there is no way to manually set a lens type in the camera interface. How does the M-D work with non-coded lenses? Was planning on using a non-6 bit-coded type V Summicron 50mm with the M-D.
Thanks

 

[capitalK]

White Out and a sharpie? 😛

 

[d_c]

Or drop roughly 300 on getting your lens serviced and converted to 6-bit by Leica.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Doesn't make a difference -- you can use coded and non-coded lenses on the M-D without worry.

Page 71 of the Leica M-D instruction manual: "Generally, most Leica M lenses can be used.....They can be used regardless of the lens features, and whether it does or does not have 6-bit coding in the bayonet. In the case of lenses with coding, the camera uses the information transmitted to optimize exposure and image data. Even without this additional feature, i.e. when using Leica M lenses without identification, the camera will deliver excellent pictures in most situations."

The following lenses cannot be used: Hologon 15mm f/8, Summicron 50mm f/2 with close-up, Elmar 90mm f/4 with retractable tube (made from 1954-68), some versions of the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux (not asph, made from 1961-95, Made in Canada) because it cannot focus to infinity. Lenses with retractable tubes can be used as long as they remain extended.

I regularly use a Nikkor-S.C 5cm f/1.4 on my M-D and the results are fine.

 

[rcubed]

The M-D shoots RAW only so there will be no image adjustments anyways.

 

[a.noctilux]

I am considering a Leica M-D (type 262) but I had read that there is no way to manually set a lens type in the camera interface. How does the M-D work with non-coded lenses? Was planning on using a non-6 bit-coded type V Summicron 50mm with the M-D.
Thanks

Don't worry, just use it.
I use with M-D all sort of lenses with no coding : very old M, LTM , SLR lenses, and more.

The benefit of coded lens is only the exif for focal lengths and some vignetting that's all.

As is the files from M-D is "raw" from the real lens rendering without any "correction": good for me I love lens character good/bad depend on lens.

🙂
With Summicron-M 50mm coded or not, M-D would deliver same superb file.

 

[rubercoober]

I've rented an M-D for the week and shot with it all afternoon yesterday. Great camera. I'm using my 50mm summicron V4 and have had no issues with it. From what I've heard,the 6-bit coding is only going to make a big difference in this case when it comes to accurately recording exposure info in the image metadata.

 

[Doug]

Without the 6-bit coding, lens info will not be recorded in the EXIF... But shutter speed and ISO will be recorded correctly. Aperture not so much, but then an M's guessing is not really very accurate anyway! 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

The M-D works just as well with my uncoded lenses (M-Rokkor 90mm, Hektor 135mm, Color Skopar 50mm) as it does with my coded lenses. Coded lenses have optimized rendering qualities, that's all.