Leica 6 bit coding for lens

Abstract
Leica earn alot of money by just replacing flange with new 6 bit flange. 6 bit coding for Leica M lens could be DIY easily and neatly, most importantly - cheaply.

Intorduction
Leica has introduced the 6 bit coding system for lens identification with digital M bodies. Since its introduction, Leica has offered to code compatible non-coded lens for a (small) fee. Sending lens to Leica to be coded meant it would be "out of commission" for at least 2-3 months. There are a lot of alternative methods to get the lens coded; Sending to a camera technician (a reputable one), using markers or pencils to "paint" the 6 bit code or buy a flange that has the 6 bit code region recessed and paint it yourself!

Painting on a proper flange would mean a lifetime 6-bit code, unlike temporary solutions with marker or pencils - these would wear off with repeated lens change.

Methods
6 bit flange for 35mm lens was purchased from eBay (please find one that will fit your lens; depending on when your lens is produced, it may have different screw positions.) Black and white automotive paint from Art Friend was used to paint the 6 bit code. A 26G needle and 1 mL syringe for painting. Ethanol was used to clean the flange before painting of 6 bit code.

Results
With the 6 bit code deciphered and available on the internet, it was easy to know what code is used for the lens (in this case, a Summicron 35mm ASPH). 6 bit code from the summicron shown was from http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/leica-lens-codes/

 

 

With the code determined, proceed clean the flange with Ethanol. This would remove any oil based residue that was present on the flange, it helps the paint to stick better.


Do take note on the type of flange you are ordering (some have different screw positions), check that the screw positions are correct for your lens before purchasing! It is important to note as well that the flange type (35mm in this case), will be taken into consideration by the camera as well as the code you are going to paint it on. It won't work if you paint a 50mm noctilux f1 code onto a 35mm flange!

 

 

 

After cleaning the flange, prepare the paint brush by filling up the syringe! - this is the trick to get it done neatly and leave no mess to clean up! Don't be bothered to get a fine paint brush for this purpose, nothing works better than a fine gauge needle!

 

 

Proceed and drip a little paint at a time, wait for the paint to dry a little before applying more! The surface tension will allow the paint to fill in nicely in those little recessed holes!!

 

 

Once you are done with black, proceed with white paint - this is just purely cosmetic, the camera really doesn't read the whites.

 

Done! Leave dry and don't touch! Until approximately 24 hours later. Replace your old flange with this and congratulation, you now have a 6 bit Summicron (or what ever...)

 

Discussion

The flange obtained was of good quality. There was no free-play, just like the original non-coded flange. Given the simplicity and cost of DIY, there was never a need for discussion!

Fogg Lyre Review

Introduction

It has been about 2 weeks since I bought the Fogg Lyre at a whoppin' $500 SGD est. For comparison's sake, for sizes at the same level, a Billingham will set you back about $200SGD, a Wotancraft $150SGD, and a Crumpler, $69SGD. This makes the Fogg the most expensive bag amongst the class. I would like to clarify that I was not paid to review this Fogg bag by anybody at all. I own a Wotancraft, and my friends own Billinghams and Crumplers amongst other brands. That is where I get my comparisons from.

Build Quality

The Lyre is full of leather, canvas and cotton. Compared to the Wotancraft, which is made of waxed canvas, the leather is a nice feel. The entire length of the strap is made of cotton, which gives a nice soft touch, causing less abrasion. The strap goes under and throughout the entire circumference of the bag - this lends a strong support to the entirety and as an additional effect, it gives a feeling of lightness. With just Leica M9 and a 35 cron in it, it hardly feels like I am carrying a bag!
Durability: So far with only 2 weeks of usage on it, I have seen no deterioration of quality of the bag. My wotancraft started to show signs of usage, peeled off wax, and decoloration of the canvas body after about a year of usage. We will see if the Fogg holds up.

Aesthetics

Minimalist look... is everything a Leica user would ask for. The Fogg Lyre looks and feels right. Nothing is too much, nothing is too little. It is pretty much perfect in design.

Above: Isn't it just a beauty?

Storage and Ergonomics

The Fogg Lyre is meant to be a bag that is small. It can literally hold only one camera and at most, two sets of lenses including a 35 cron attached to the camera. Both additional set of lenses cannot be more than F1.4 The giant F1 or F0.95 lenses will probably not fit if you intend to put more than one lens in the bag. Since I only travel around with a 35 cron, the other compartment will be where I placed some food (sweets), earphones and tissue. It is really just a small handy space. The Lyre also features 2 compartments in front and one sleeve compartment behind. These compartments are similar in size. I find that the front most compartment fits my wallet easily, while the middle front compartment fits my nook simple touch. My 6" pantech vega phone gets to sit at the back compartment.
Ergonomically, the Lyre handles well and shifts its weight around well. The strap design really helps in distributing the weight. After a long day where the Leica starts to feel its own weight, there is no desire to shift the bag around to get optimal ratios. It does take awhile to get used to for opening the front compartments due to the inverse latch design. It gets its job done though.

Above: Fogg Lyre with 35 cron and a Nook SimpleTouch

Conclusion

Is there a need for a conclusion? There is. The Fogg Lyre is probably the best bag available at the moment for compact camera lovers wishing to bring just a camera and with just enough space to store their essentials. However, DSLRs class users will find no use for this bag. Similarly, on a rainy day you will find that there is not enough storage for a small umbrella. There just isn't enough. You may be hard pressed to travel with a friend that has an umbrella - but we all have those friends don't we? :)

The price of the Fogg will be the factor that prevents most people from buying. It IS a luxury item and should not be mistaken as a functional item. However, if one has the luxury to buy a good, HOT and sexy bag, the Fogg will be undeniably the best. Billingham bags come very close in terms of quality, and the price of a Billin will be 2X cheaper. The jump in the quality is only minimal. What you get though, is a completionist feeling, that you will never need to upgrade your camera bag for a very, very long time. Only time will tell if the Fogg will hold up to its quality, but I have a feeling it will.

 
Left: Fogg Lyre with Dan Brown's Inferno Hardcover for size comparison
Right: Fogg Lyre with large size Coffee Bean frappucino

Import Nights 2012

I was importing and organizing my collection (previously digitalized but not catalogued) to Lightroom and found quite a bit of pictures I took on Kodak TMax (100). It was a great film with fairly good contrast and tonal range. Well, I guess other than Monochrome, it seems quite impossible for me to get impressed by digitally converted B&W photos – they just looked different.

Backtrack to 2012, import nights:

The photos were taken with M6 on Kodak TMax100 using Summilux 50mm ASPH. well, given that most of it are in low light indoor condition and me being stuck with ISO100 of TMax, most of it were taken wide open on the Summilux.

On the way to Singapore Expo. anyone can guess what car am I hitching a ride in? :)

 

A Maserati! well, its engine compartment.. I would rather own one of these rather than a bull or Ferrari, simply feels more mature.. ;)

Whats this? Hmm.. I think this is an Australian made bike. 150cc, if I remembered correctly.

Even though I had a height advantage, it was a pity she wasn't looking at me. (background was a BMW M3)

This is a Cam-Am Spyder. I like it and would have bought one if not for the price tag (SGD 40,000) and requirement of a Class 2 license (1L engine). I think I should have brought along a wide angle lens to take this instead. This is far too unsuitable for a 50mm focal length!

 

Now... there are a bunch of crazy dude with really HUGE lense (on the table, a Nikkor 200mm AFS VR f/2). Well I suppose my camera was really small compared to theirs.

 

Handphones (in this case, a Samsung Note 2) proved to be more advantageous when in a crowded area (unless you want to take photos of numerous heads blocking?)

There seemed to be plenty of DLSR users among the crowd.

Instant Playback? Have Faith!

"What we all wished for on our film cameras"

Ilford HP5+ 400, Nikon F6 / 24-70 f/2.8

"Faith" is what film enthusiast have and stolen away by technology from us today. Now, please turn off your image review function and have faith! :-)

The Singapore Society

A picture speaks more than a thousand words. And this one has spoken!

Focus by triangulation

 

On 05 May 2013. And so we did, as recorded on Kodak TMax 400, developed on Ilford DD-X.

The Fogg Lyre

At one point in time, we will all want a camera bag that we will keep for years - something that will last us for a long time, something that will keep us away from wanting for more. The Fogg line of specialist bags is one of them.

Today I purchased a Fogg Lyre and the quality of the bag is just fantastic. I used to carry a Wotancraft around with me all the time. The Wotancraft is almost 3x-4x cheaper, but when you hold a Fogg in your hand, the difference in quality is just there.

I will never look back again.

Fogg Lyre, with a Leica M9P, 35mm Summicron ASPH

Apologies for a lousy image. It was taken from my Note 2 camera. :)

Coffee and caffine.

There is still a misconception that Espresso is a form of concentrated coffee and as such contained a much higher percentage of caffine as compared to 3-in-1s or pour over brew coffee.

Quality Arabica beans has much lower caffeine content compared to Robusta.

Bottom line is, I am testing the grind setting for Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza from Nylon. It tastes great! ^.^

Oh, I've conveniently forgot: Coffee is essential for Leicamen survival, not all 3 of us, but at least one...

04 May 2013

04 May 2013 marks the beginning of this website.

We are at the moment, newbies to website design. In fact we know absolutely nothing about it.

Follow our progress.

Bookmark us today and follow our failures and success (if any).

Bonjour.

Annyong haseyo.

And a picture to begin.