ZM, Hexanon and other lenses + IR Filter

[drjoke]

I have 3 ZM lenses, 2 Hexanon lenses and 2 other lenses, do I absolutely need to get them coded to use with M8?

Do I also need to get IR Cut filters for all of these lenses to use with M8? What happens if I don't?

 

[baycrest]

Yes with the M8 you'll need to use the IR cut filters for all lenses if you want to prevent some black colors from appearing purple. As well green foliage comes out more natural looking as well with the filter. The B&W ir cut filters are more reasonably priced than the Leica filters and personally I don't see any difference between the 2. YMMV

For any lens less than 50mm, the coded lenses will correctly adjust for the vignetting. For 50mm and above you don't get any vignetting so there's no need to code unless you want the EXIF data that shows the FL of the lens used.

Best Rob

 

[drjoke]

If the lenses are ZM or Hexanon, what are options of coding these lenses?

 

[Hacker]

If the lenses are ZM or Hexanon, what are options of coding these lenses?

For ZM lenses, you can change the flange to bring up the correct framelines and get it milled for coding. For the Hexanon, the LTM versions allow use of 6-bit adapters. For the M-mount versions, you can send them for milling as shown (see bottom left). You can always use markers, but they are not permanent .

 

[drjoke]

For ZM Biogon 35mm and UC Hexanon 35MM, which becomes effective 50mm, is there a significant benefit to coding?

 

[Gid]

IR cut filters make a big difference, but I never had any of my lenses coded and couldn't see any real world difference - including a 21 2.8 (pasoptik) where the cyan drift / vignetting was negligible. My suggestion would be to stick IR cut filters on (agree with B+W recommendation) and see for yourself.

Good luck.

 

[Hacker]

For ZM Biogon 35mm and UC Hexanon 35MM, which becomes effective 50mm, is there a significant benefit to coding?

I think 35mm is borderline, i.e., you have to look very hard and under some conditions.

 

[drjoke]

Those filters are expensive. Do you still wear protective filters with them on?

 

[Hacker]

Those filters are expensive. Do you still wear protective filters with them on?

No, I do not use any other filter over the UV/IR filter. Given a choice, I sometimes do not even use filters on lenses (except the M8).