Testing the 6 bit sensor on M8?

[ferdinandshen]

After 6 years of wait, I finally bite the bullet and acquired a M8 to satisfy myself. Before this I am using a R-D1 and a NEX with adapter, and always wondering "what if..." while pressing the shutter release.

The cosmetic condition of the M8 is fine, the price is acceptable ($1370), the rear write LED is not flashing, which I think is a plus. Last night I tried to experiment the DIY sharpie 6 bit coding on one of my least used Leitz lens (Hektor 135), but you know what -- it does not work. Len detection is on, took some pictures but no lens info came out in EXIF.

Is there a reliable to test the 6bit sensor on M8? Does it fail easily? I can live with a non-working sensor but it still feels better to keep this option open.

 

[LCT]

Which code did you use?

 

[Nr90]

One thing to note is that the code must match the length of the lens. So if you use a 50mm, you must test it with a 50mm code.

 

[V-12]

Well you need to put the markings in exactly the right place, so not 'more or less', and the frame lines need to agree with the code, you can't have one without the other for it to work. If all things are then set and it still doesn't work make sure your code markings are both opaque and in the right orientation.

V

 

[gbealnz]

I tried when I had an M8, and an M9 later. I found the markings needed to be better than "more or less" as well, it needed to be bang on, or I needed to be lucky.
Get an after-market bayonet fitting (from that auction site), and try that, it will then work.
Gary

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I have an M8 but no 135mm lens but I understood the lens code must match the frame line selected for the detection to work. As the the M8 has no 135mm frameline does the code work at all even with a factory coded lens?

What have you coded the lens as? Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 (I/II) has a code of 11829 but brings up the 28/90 frameline. The Hektor has no factory code allocated.

I think you should test with a lens that is fully compatible with the camera.

http://lavidaleica.com/content/leica-lens-codes

 

[Kwesi]

The M8 does not have frame lines for 135mm or a built in 6 bit decoder for the 135 6 bit code.
my guess is that your M8 is fine. Try testing with testing with one of the lenses that has a corresponding frame line. 24,28,35,50,75 and 90mm lenses should work.