TS ISAAC
Established
Like many of you, I tried self encoding (M-Coding) a few of my M lenses. It worked! But after several lens changes, when the ink wore off, I tried to mark them again. I found my thin paper code template was wrinkled and torn. I made another paper template but became frustrated cutting the paper holes with my Exacto knife.
Above: my second rather delicate template printed and cutout from an internet document
Hoping to find a better technique, and looking at the damaged paper template, the beginnings of a design started to fall into place. A good coding template needs to seat well on the M-lens base, and index properly on the M lens locking groove. My original thin paper template was difficult to fit around the bayonet mounts, so I figured an open ‘C’ shaped design would simplify locating the template on the lens base. An open ‘C’ design allows the template to be snapped into place from the side. Putting these ideas together I have the results here, my M-Coder Ring concept model.
Above: First M-Coder Ring 3D CAD model
Please have a look at this design concept and advise me of your concerns and ideas. The M-Coder Ring fits like a Circlip and snaps around the lens with a little nudge. Then, when rotated using the single tab, you can fully seat it on the surface of the M-lens mount base, and mark the appropriate template holes. The M-Coder should be molded from plastic to have some spring like flexibility and be low cost.
Above: First M-Coder Ring 3D model mounted on a 50mm Summicron model
Above: First paper M Coder Ring prototype in the works
Of course the best route for lens coding is to have the Leica professionals complete this process. But if you are like me, the time without the lenses and the overall advantage of the code, when weighed against the cost of Leica coding, make self coding rather appealing. With the M-Coder Ring I hope to make the outcome of self coding, simple and accurate for us frugal types with many older M lenses in our equipment inventory.
Above: Paper M-Coder Ring prototype mounted on a real 50mm Summicron
Above: My first M-Coder Ring paper model showing indexing tab that locks in the lens lock groove. The M-Coder Ring holds the lens around the outside circumference of the lens barrel M mount. The tab also orients the M-Coder so you dont install it backwards
Playing with colors
I look to the experience and clear thought that this group might bring to bear on this idea, so critical comments and supportive ones are most welcomed.
Above: my second rather delicate template printed and cutout from an internet document
Hoping to find a better technique, and looking at the damaged paper template, the beginnings of a design started to fall into place. A good coding template needs to seat well on the M-lens base, and index properly on the M lens locking groove. My original thin paper template was difficult to fit around the bayonet mounts, so I figured an open ‘C’ shaped design would simplify locating the template on the lens base. An open ‘C’ design allows the template to be snapped into place from the side. Putting these ideas together I have the results here, my M-Coder Ring concept model.
Above: First M-Coder Ring 3D CAD model
Please have a look at this design concept and advise me of your concerns and ideas. The M-Coder Ring fits like a Circlip and snaps around the lens with a little nudge. Then, when rotated using the single tab, you can fully seat it on the surface of the M-lens mount base, and mark the appropriate template holes. The M-Coder should be molded from plastic to have some spring like flexibility and be low cost.
Above: First M-Coder Ring 3D model mounted on a 50mm Summicron model
Above: First paper M Coder Ring prototype in the works
Of course the best route for lens coding is to have the Leica professionals complete this process. But if you are like me, the time without the lenses and the overall advantage of the code, when weighed against the cost of Leica coding, make self coding rather appealing. With the M-Coder Ring I hope to make the outcome of self coding, simple and accurate for us frugal types with many older M lenses in our equipment inventory.
Above: Paper M-Coder Ring prototype mounted on a real 50mm Summicron
Above: My first M-Coder Ring paper model showing indexing tab that locks in the lens lock groove. The M-Coder Ring holds the lens around the outside circumference of the lens barrel M mount. The tab also orients the M-Coder so you dont install it backwards
Playing with colors
I look to the experience and clear thought that this group might bring to bear on this idea, so critical comments and supportive ones are most welcomed.
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