Photography » Echenique dot com

Olympus Imaging and Panasonic announce new Micro Four Thirds System standard

Aug 072008

Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Imaging) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) today announced joint development of technologies and devices for the “Micro Four Thirds System standard,” a new standard that extends the benefits of the Four Thirds System standard for interchangeable lens type digital camera systems by enabling dramatic reductions in size and weight. Under the terms of an agreement between the two companies, they will work jointly toward commercial production of significantly lighter and more compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems.

The global market for interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras is growing steadily, but still only accounts for a 7% share of the total digital camera market. Considering the much larger share held by interchangeable lens type SLR camera systems when film was the dominant imaging medium, it seems that there is still ample room for sales growth in the category. But compact digital cameras continue to offer an expanding range of features and performance, and market surveys indicate that customers choose compact models because they find digital SLR cameras to be “big, heavy, and difficult to operate.”

Recognizing this market trend, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic have introduced products based on the Four Thirds System standard, and have led the industry in bringing features such as Live View and contrast-detection autofocusing systems to interchangeable lens type digital camera systems.

Now, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic are expanding the potential of the Four Thirds System standard even further, enabling the development of radically more compact and lightweight interchangeable lens type digital camera systems based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard. Together with the existing range of Four Thirds System products, the new range of Micro Four Thirds System products will enable customers to enjoy true interchangeable lens type digital camera system performance.

When compared to the Four Thirds System standard, the primary distinguishing characteristics of the Micro Four Thirds System standard are:

Approximately 50% shorter flangeback distance (mount-to-sensor distance)

6mm smaller lens mount outer diameter

Electrical contacts in mount increased from 9 to 11

* Image sensor diagonal dimensions are the same for both Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds System standards.

The Micro Four Thirds System enables users to enjoy the high image quality benefits of the Four Thirds System’s 4/3-type image sensor in a much more compact camera body, and also take advantage of significantly more compact lenses, particularly in the wide-angle and high-power zoom range. The Four Thirds System offers compact, lightweight performance, and the new Micro Four Thirds System will take this even further by making it possible to develop ultra-compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems unlike anything seen before. The new Micro Four Thirds System also incorporates a greater number of lens-mount electrical contacts, enabling support for new features and increased system functionality in the future.

In addition, users will be able to mount their existing Four Thirds System lenses on Micro Four Thirds System bodies via an adapter.

Moving forward, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic will jointly develop relevant technologies and devices for both Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds System standards, and will develop and introduce standards-compliant products in accordance with their respective business strategies.

While continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital camera system products, Olympus Imaging will also develop a range of Micro Four Thirds System lenses and accessories, and Micro Four Thirds System camera bodies that are even smaller and slimmer than the light, compact, and widely acclaimed Olympus E-410 and E420.

While continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital camera system products, Panasonic will also develop a new generation of compact, lightweight, interchangeable lens type digital camera system products, including ultra-portable camera bodies, interchangeable lenses, and related system accessories.

About the Four Thirds System Standard

The Four Thirds System standard defines design and development standards for interchangeable lens type digital camera systems that fully realize the performance potential of digital technology. Four Thirds System cameras utilize a 4/3-type image sensor that delivers the high image quality expected of interchangeable lens type digital camera systems in a form factor that assures outstanding mobility. The Four Thirds System standard is an open standard that enables bodies and lenses produced by participating manufacturers to exchange information and be used interchangeably with one another.

*The company names and product names specified in this release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
Please be advised that press releases and information posted on this site are current at the time of the original publication date. Please note that they may now be outdated or rendered inaccurate.

Nikon Unveils Coolpix P6000

Cameras No Responses »

Aug 072008

NEW COOLPIX P6000 OFFERS DIGITAL SLR SHOOTING CONTROL IN A COMPACT CAMERA

New Performance Series Camera Enables Users to Test the Photography World with Creative Control and “Geo-tagging” Capabilities with built-in GPS

MELVILLE, NY (Aug. 7, 2008) – Nikon Inc. today introduced its newest flagship COOLPIX compact camera, the COOLPIX P6000. Featuring 13.5 megapixels, a new, built-in global positioning system (GPS) unit, my Picturetown connectivity and the power of Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED™ image processing concept, the P6000 offers the perfect photographic tool for photo and camera enthusiasts seeking the creative control of a D-SLR in the compact body of a COOLPIX camera.

“We are eager to see the response to the integration of the new capabilities for COOLPIX cameras, as the demands of our consumers are always a priority in product design,” said Bill Giordano, general manager marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “The P6000 is an exciting product offering for Nikon’s COOLPIX line, as it not only provides expanded creative control for photo enthusiasts, but also empowers them with GPS functionality and my Picturetown connectivity.”

The P6000 knows where the “best shots” are taken, thanks to the integration of the new GPS unit. With the added GPS function, P6000 users will be able to record “geotags” of the location where their images are captured based on latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. This further heightens the photographic experience, allowing users to pinpoint the location via maps available in Nikon ViewNX Software, my Picturetown, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage website, or any other software or website that recognizes GPS data.

Additionally, the P6000 makes my Picturetown connectivity for uploading and sharing photos simple and easy, thanks to added wired LAN support via a dedicated Ethernet port built into the camera. Users can upload their images and data directly from the P6000 with an Ethernet cable to the secure Picture Bank service on my Picturetown.

In line with other COOLPIX P-Series cameras, the P6000 includes intuitive controls via dedicated command and mode dials, providing easy access to shooting controls and exposure mode settings. The P6000 offers Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes granting users the ability to tap into the creativity of D-SLR functions while maintaining the simplicity of COOLPIX functionality. Owners can utilize two user-defined settings, a shooting menu, an efficient, tabbed menu interface, as well as customizable Function buttons to quickly switch between camera settings.

Additional shooting innovations engineered to maximize image quality and offer greater control over the final results include Nikon’s original COOLPIX Picture Control System and a new NRW* (RAW) support. The COOLPIX Picture Control System features intuitive controls that enable users to adjust their images to pre-set parameters such as Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome and apply tweaks to image sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, overall tone and saturation. Furthermore, images shot in the all-new NRW* (RAW) format can be opened and viewed in Nikon ViewNX Software (available early October 2008) for increased editing abilities.

Adding even more synergy between D-SLR cameras and compact COOLPIX cameras, the P6000 incorporates a pop-up flash, optical viewfinder for easy composition and the added bonus of system expansion with an optional convertor, Speedlights, and wireless remote control. Nikon’s new 0.76x Wide-angle Convertor WC-E76 offers users the option to utilize focal lengths as wide as 21mm (35mm format equivalent). P6000 users can also take full advantage of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System with the built-in accessory shoe that supports Nikon’s i-TTL flash control, which enables wireless control over one group of remote Speedlights including the newly announced SB-900 Speedlight.

The P6000 features a quality finish and a front panel constructed of solid Magnesium alloy, as well as a comfortable grip and well-placed controls for streamlined performance. The new P6000 camera is compatible with new high-capacity SDHC cards, and utilizes a Nikon EN-EL5 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The P6000 also comes bundled with the COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images.

The Nikon COOLPIX P6000 will be available nationwide beginning September 2008 at a MSRP of $499.95.** For more information about the P6000 and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

* COOLPIX Picture Control NRW (RAW) files can only be processed in-camera. NRW (RAW) files are compatible for use in-camera, with ViewNX (Windows version only, available early October 2008) or with WIC-based applications. Capture NX, Capture NX2 and NEF files are not compatible with NRW (RAW) images.
** Estimated selling price listed is only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., recently celebrated its 75th anniversary of NIKKOR optics and the 60th anniversary of Nikon cameras. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

Analysis

Pros

Magnesium body

RAW Support

Manual Controls

Built-in GPS

Built-in wired LAN support

Support for Creative Lighting System (with adapter)

Cons

New format for RAW file. Third party converters will lag behind.

Built-in zoom lacks range – relies on Adapter lenses to broaden range

Wired connectivity only supports Nikon’s online service

Nikon is taking a bead on the market niche currently filled by Canon’s G9 P&S digicam. The addition of RAW support (albeit in a new format so that no third party apps will support it yet) will be very appealing to photographers who are on the lookout for a nice, light backup camera. Its apparent ruggedness and built-in GPS will be a big hit with the outdoorsy types.

How this will hold up in the market against the rumored large sensor P&S camera Nikon has waiting in the wings remains to be seen.

UPDATE: the buzz around the blogosphere is generally singing a dirge for this camera before it hits the market. PanOlympus’ Micro-4/3 spec looks to outshine this model (as well as all the “bridge” P&S category) and that may be outdone by Nikon’s rumored “Micro-APSc” camera.

UPDATE 2: The Nikon P6000 is now available for pre-order from:

Amazon
B&H
Ritz

All sites are at list price of $499 USD.

CV intros new 28/2 Ultron lens in M-mount

Lenses No Responses »

Aug 052008

In a press release dated July 17, 2008, Cosina Voigtlander introduced (or should I say, reintroduced) a new lens for the Leica M-mount: the CV Ultron 28 mm F2.

Based off of the now discontinued Ultron 28/1.9 LTM (Leica Thread Mount), the Ultron 28/2 is available only in black, adds a focusing tab that its predecessor lacked, and uses a 46 mm filter size.

Available Specs
Focal Length:	28 mm
Lens Assembly:	10 Elements in 8 groups
Aperture Range:	f2 – f22
Min. Focusing Distance:	.7 meters
Weight:	244g (8.6 oz)
Filter Size:	46 mm
Estimated Availability:	Mid August 2008

Pricing is not available at this time, however, Stephen Gandy over at Cameraquest is accepting pre-orders with a deposit of $100USD.

It is unknown at this time whether the lens will maintain the aspherical lens element of its predecessor or whether the M-mount will bring up the correct framelines on a Leica M8. One would assume that since the Leica M8 is the only digital M-mount rangefinder currently in production that CV would set the mount up correctly for it.

Regardless of any potential mount issues, this introduction bodes well for the continued life of the Leica M8 and its successors by providing high quality, lower cost alternative to expensive Zeiss and astronomical Leica glass.

Cosina Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II Review

Lenses, Reviews 6 Responses »

Aug 022008

Cosina Voigtlander (CV) is a japanese camera maker that specializes in 35mm film rangefinder cameras. They also make their own lenses and are quite good at it since Cosina is the manufacturing partner of Carl Zeiss, AG. While the lion’s share of lenses they make are for Leica Thread Mount (LTM) and Leica M-mount, they do make a few SLR lenses in Nikon F and Pentax KA mounts. Today I present to you the CV Ultron 40mm f2 SL II.

Specs

Two surface Aspherical Element lens for maximum correction

CPUs for metering compatibility with Nikon or Pentax digital SLRs

Compact Pancake lens extends only 24.5mm from lens mount (Nikon AIS)

Six elements in five optical groups

9 Aperture blades

Size 200 grams, 63mm diameter, 24.5 length from lens mount (AIS)

Filter size 52mm

Close Up to .45 meter (1:7) without close up, close up range of .38 to .25 meter (1:4) with close up lens

Angle of view with film 57 degrees

Smallest aperture f/22

Included with the lens is the dome shape lens hood and the close up lens.

Features
The CV Ultron 40mm is a pancake lens, very short and compact by design. Made completely out of metal and glass, it is surprisingly very light, tipping the scales at a mere 200 grams. When mounted on my D300+MB-D10 it looks positively puny.

CV Ultron 40mm SL II on Nikon D300 + MB-D10

That being said, the lens makes carrying my D300 very, very easy even with the MB-D10 grip attached. With the D300′s DX sensor, this lens’ effective focal length is 60mm, making this a nice, wide-ish portrait lens suitable for walkabout. But as Master Yoda said, “Size matters not.” And like the diminutive Jedi Master, this little guy packs a big wallop.

Fast and sharp, the lens has a medium focusing throw, going from minimum focus to infinity in 180 degrees. The lens included a small dome-like lens hood (this has to be seen to be believed) and a screw-on close-up lens which reduces the minimum focusing distance from 38cm to 25cm (about a foot for the metrically challenged).

Wait a second, focusing throw?

Yes, this is a manually focused lens. In fact, all of CV’s lenses are manually focused – not an AF motor in the bunch. However, this lens (and it’s 58mm Nokton stable mate) are both CPU Matrix lenses that support Program, Shutter & Aperture Priority modes. The apertures can be set from the camera without having to move the mechanical aperture ring. Just set it on f22 and forget it. The camera does the rest, even in Manual mode.

Another thing to consider is that this a prime lens (fixed focal length) and zooming is achieved by moving closer to/further away from your subject (aka “sneaker zoom”).

So why would anyone buy this dinky non-zoom lens?

Besides the obvious size factor, the lens is razor sharp, has a lovely smooth bokeh (rendering of out-of-focus areas) and is quite a value for the price.

Here are some bokeh samples:

As you can see in the samples, the soft out-of-focus areas add a 3-dimensional aspect to the subjects, making them pop out of the image. The lens is also equally adept at handling color as well as black & white.

[Editor's note - all images in this article were shot using a Nikon D300 in NEF format and processed in Apple Aperture 2.1. Black & White conversion accomplished with Nik Software's SilverEfex Pro for Aperture 2. Fuji ISO 100 film was simulated.]

One thing to remember when using a fast prime lens is that the plane of focus with the lens wide open is very thin. The faster the lens, the thinner the plane of focus. This next shot shows how thin the plane of focus is.

As you can see above, the camera is focused on the balloons behind my son’s head. The balloons are in sharp focus, but my son’s face is slightly out of focus. With a manually focused lens, you have to be extra-careful to make sure that the focus is on the right spot. This end, Nikon has provided the D300 with a focusing aid that tells you when the subject under the center spot of the viewfinder is in focus. The Nikon D3 and D700 share this feature with some enhancements.

Test Photos

The set of test shots above show the lens’ performance at various f-stops ranging from f/2 (wide open) to f/22 (fully stopped down in 1/2 EV increments).

At f/2, the lens’ paper-thin plane of focus is readily apparent. For the record, focus was set on the bundles of thread in the center of the photo in every shot. By clicking in the individual photos, you can see larger versions including full-size (12.3Mpx) images. As you can see, items a couple of inches behind or in front of the threads are softly out-of-focus.

As the lens is stopped down, the scene is pretty much in focus by about f/5.6 with maximum detail rendered about f/11. Corner sharpness is very good and center sharpness is excellent. Color rendering is excellent as well. Chromatic aberration is pretty much non-existant even stopped down thanks to the aspherical lens element in the design.

One last test: the included close up lens. This lens is screwed into the dome hood and does not interfere with any filters mounted between the hood and the lens barrel.

On the left you can see the diminutive close-up lens and on the right a test shot of my Leatherman Skeletool from about 25cm (1 ft) away. The close-up lens does not add any distortion.

Price

The lens is available from major online photo stores like B&H, Adorama, and Cameraquest (the main Voigtlander importer for the United States). The price is $379 which is a bargain considering how well built this lens is and how well the optics perform. Zeiss lenses for Nikon cost about 2-3x as much.

Conclusion

The CV Ultron 40mm F2 SL II is an excellent choice as a prime lens for walkabout use. On a D300, it is a lovely short tele portrait lens and on the D3/D700 it is slightly wider than a normal lens (50mm). It is available in Nikon F-mount (the one I have) and Pentax KA-mount. If you have either of these camera brands, you want to get this lens.

Zeiss announces a new SLR lens – Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f3.5

Industry news, Lenses No Responses »

Jul 052008

Zeiss 18mm Distagon f3.5 – Side
Originally uploaded by Carlos Echenique

On June25, 2008 without too much fanfare, Carl Zeiss Company announced yet another lens for the Nikon (ZF) and Pentax (ZK) DSLR mounts.

The Distagon T* 3,5/18 is a super-wide lens with 99 degree field of view (on film and FX sensor Nikons like the D3 and recently announced D700 – on DX cameras this lens is equivalent to 27mm). This lens is of rectilinear design and provides dramatic perspectives for architecture, landscape and close-up photographers.

The all-metal body houses eco-friendly lens elements all sporting the Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to minimize flaring and other stray light artifacts. The lens also includes Zeiss Color Matching Technology which provides homogenous color renditions. The lens takes 82mm filters on the front.

A non-CPU, manual focus lens, the 18mm Distagon can be programmed into newer model Nikons (D300, D700, & D3).

The lens will be available in early July 2008 (ZF mount) and Q3 2008 in ZK mount. Suggested list price is 960 Euro ( about $1500 USD ).

Technical Specifications
Focal length: 18 mm
Aperture range: f/3.5 – f/22 (1/2 stop intervals)
Number of elements/groups: 13/11
Focusing range: 0.3 m (0.98 ft) – inf.
Angular field* (diag./horiz./vert.): 99/90/67 °
Coverage at close range: 44 x 29 cm (1.7 x 1.1″)
Image ratio at close range: 1:12
Filter-thread: M 82 x 0.75
Length (with caps)**: 84 mm (3.3″)
Diameter**: 87 mm (3.4″)
Weight**: 470 g (16 oz.)
Camera mounts: ZF (F bayonet), ZK (K bayonet)
Scope of delivery: Lens Shade included

Nikon D300: First Impressions

Cameras, Reviews No Responses »

May 292008

Nikon,D300,Review

On August 23, 2007 Nikon introduced two new pro-level cameras: the top-of-the-line D3 and the more modestly priced D300. Both cameras offer weather-sealed bodies, 12.3 Mpix sensors, high-speed photography, 51-point autofocus, 1,005 point exposure sensor but the D300 offers all this in a small body form-factor with a DX sensor (1.5x EFOV) for only $1,799 USD.

I was a lifelong Canon shooter. My first Canon was an AE-1. I then moved up to a T90 which served me well for many years. I traded in my beloved T90 for an EOS 10S, my first autofocus SLR. Later I purchased a Canon EOS D60 and then sold it to get a Canon EOS 1D Mk II. Canon’s digital offerings were fine cameras but I found that the photos taken by even a pro level camera like the EOS 1D Mk II required lots of massaging to get to a final form.

Then, through my other websites (PlanetAMD64 & PlanetX64), I was offered a chance to try out a Nikon D40x as part of a “Ready for Windows Vista” campaign. The Nikon D40x is an entry level DSLR recently superceded by the Nikon D60. Still, it is an excellent little camera. More importantly, it gave me a taste of the kinds of files Nikon DSLRs can produce. I was hooked.

I decided that the D300 was more to my liking and after some tests at my local camera dealer (always support your local camera dealers), I picked up the D300 + 18-200mm VR kit.

Build quality

The D300 can be considered a bottom-of-the-line Pro camera which puts it above a top-of-the-line consumer camera. The D300 shares many build features with it’s big brother, the D3.

The chassis is made of solid magnesium, which is lightweight, yet very strong. Even the optional MB-D10 grip is made of the stuff. The body is weather-sealed against dust and moisture. Mind you, this does not mean that it’s waterproof! Dunk this camera in the water and your off to get it repaired/replaced. In my hands, the camera feels solid. Even the optional MB-D10 grip feels like it’s been welded on. This solidity comes with a price, albeit not a great one: weight. The D300 weighs in at 825g (1.82 lbs) without the battery. More if you add the MB-D10 and its second battery. However, this is positively svelte compared to my old Canon EOS 1d Mk II that weighed in at 1565g (3.45 lbs). Clamping a decent sized zoom lens turns the 1D Mk II into a ticket to the chiropractor. Mind you, these cameras are elephantine compared to my Leica M8. I can walk around with my M8 all day long and never feel it.

features

Whereas my Leica M8 presents the minimalist view of photography, the Nikon D300 has more bells and whistles than the Wizard of Oz. The manual included with the camera is over 420 pages long. In one language. I’ve had smaller textbooks in grad school.

To cover every feature in detail is the perfect insomnia cure, so I won’t do that. I will, however, touch upon those features that most impressed me and made this my DSLR of choice.

12.3 megapixel DX sensor - even though this sensor has a crop factor of 1.5x, the resolution and improved high-ISO performance gives the D300 the flexibility to work in all kinds of lighting situations with ease. ISO 1600 images are totally usable from this sensor.

Auto ISO adjustment - this is the ultimate “PHD” feature (Push Here, Dummy). Set the camera to Program Mode (which adjusts the shutter speed and aperture) and Auto ISO will bump up the sensitivity to keep shutter speeds above a minimum value. Deep within the menus are located the screens for setting minimum shutter speed desired and min/max ISO values accepted. I currently have mine set to 1/125s minimum speed and ISO values from 200-1600.

Six Frames per Second (or more) - the D300 can shoot up to six frames per second. These are full resolution 12.3 Mp images. Add the MB-D10 with ENL-4e battery or a set of eight (8) AA alkalines and you can bump that up to 8 frames per second!

Live View – Ok this one is huge. Live View is actually fairly old-hat in the Point-and-Shoot camera arena, but is a enormous leap forward in the DSLR world. Live View allows you to use the DSLR’s LCD screen to focus and compose the picture.

Big deal.

It is, actually. DSLR have a mirror located just behind the lens. This mirror is what enables you (in combination with some other optics) to see what your lens is seeing (DSLR, for the uninitiated, stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex). To enable Live View, the camera flips the mirror up and opens the shutter allowing the sensor to capture images and display them on the back LCD. Typical applications are for overhead composition, however, in the realm of macro and product photography, this feature turns the D300 into a mini View Camera of sorts, allowing precision focusing and framing. You can even use the built-in digital zoom to control the focus even more tightly.

Well that’s about it for this entry. As I run across more interesting things, I will post updates to this review.

Lonely Sentinels

Photo Essay 1 Response »

Jan 182008

Lonely Sentinels
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

Camera: Leica M8
Lens: Zeiss ZM 50mm Planar f/2
Shutter speed: 32 sec
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 160
WB: Auto
File Format: DNG
Post Processor: Adobe Lightroom 1.3.1 + Custom M8-AWB profile
No other adjustments made.

The lowlight capabilities of this camera (when coupled with an excellent lens) never cease to amaze me.

Tim Isaac’s M-Coder

Accessories 1 Response »

Jan 172008

In the world of rangefinder photography, the name Leica is revered. Creators of the 35mm film camera, this German camera maker is well known for its optics and build quality.

In late 2006, Leica introduced the M8 – the first digital camera in the M-series. With it’s minimalist Bauhaus design, solid construction and the ability to use almost any M-mount lens made since 1954, Leica had a winner in its hands. Granted, the product has its quirks (like requiring the use of UV/IR cut filters to prevent black synthetics from looking magenta, or having to shoot RAW all of the time due to a weak JPEG conversion engine) and it is a mostly manual camera (no autofocus and aperture priority is the only “auto” mode), but it has been accepted as a true marvel by the rangefinder community.

One of the more ingenious ideas Leica had in developing this camera was coming up with a system to identify the lens mounted on the camera for EXIF data and (in some cases) in-camera vignetting correction and cyan drift adjustment. By adding a 6-bit code consisting of black and white dots painted on the mounting flange of the lens (in tiny little pits milled into the flange) an IR sensor on the camera body can then “read” the lens and make the appropriate adjustments. Leica will retrofit any compatible Leica lens with a 6-bit code for a small fee.

However, Leica would only do this for its own brand of lenses. The rangefinder community was justifiably upset about this. Lenses by Carl Zeiss and Cosina Voigtlander which were perfectly usable on film-based Leica M’s were left out in the cold. It was in the midst of preparations for seppuku, when a clever Leica owner noticed that marks made by certain black permanent markers could be read by the sensor. Thus began a quest to come up with a method to code non-Leica lenses using permanent markers accurately.

This is where our hero, Tim Isaac, comes into the story. An engineer and CAD specialist, he had already made a name for himself in the Leica community with the development of his Thumbs Up grip adapter for the M8. Applying the same rat cunning to the problem of accurately marking lens codes, he developed his M-coder System.

The kit consists of a sturdy plastic tool (the M-Coder) that serves as the guide for placing the marks on the lens flange. The tool is keyed to the alignment holes on the flange so it is very easy to place correctly. Next is a guide wheel to tell you what codes to apply to the lens (the D-Coder). Lastly, Tim’s kit provides you with a Japanese Zebra industrial marking pen that writes well on metal and can be read by the sensor on the M8. Finally, the whole thing is neatly stored in it’s own carrying case (complete with CAD images of Tim’s lenses).

I tried the M-Coder on my newly acquired Zeiss ZM 50mm Biogon f/2. The lens is M-mount, so it’s compatible with my Leica M8, but cannot be coded by Leica as it is not a Leica brand lens. I slipped the M-Coder onto the lens mounting flange, checked the D-Coder for the appropriate code, (I had to surf to http://www.digital-leica.com for a lens compatibility list), and using the Zebra marker, added the two black marks needed to convince my M8 that I had just mounted a 50mm Summicron IV f/2 lens instead of the Zeiss. A couple of test shots later showed 50mm in the EXIF data confirming that the marks were successfully read.

Tim’s documentation states that his kit provides temporary lens coding and that is correct. Considering the tight tolerances between the lens and body flanges, I would expect the marks to come off after 3-4 lens changes. In order to make this permanent, you need to send the lens flange off to be milled. Neither Zeiss nor Cosina offer this service, but there is a gentleman named John Milich who will do this work for you for a minimal fee. The only catch is that you have to remove the flange yourself and mail it to him. When he sends it back (John generally has a 1 week turnaround) you will have to remount the flange yourself. The complexity of this task varies from lens to lens. I have done this on two of my CV lenses (40mm Nokton & 25mm P Color Skopar) and one was much simpler than the other. YMMV. You can reach John by e-mail and his address is jm at milich dot com. Tell him that I sent you.

In conclusion, Tim Isaac proves once again that he is the “go to guy” for designing gadgets for the Leica M8. His current projects also include a “coldshoe” version of the Thumbs Up (with one or two coldshoes) and a new battery charger for the M8. Tim’s website is http://www.matchtechnical.com and you can e-mail Tim at TimI at matchTechnical dot com.

A Matter of Perspective

Photo Essay No Responses »

Jan 162008

A Matter of Perspective
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

Black and white photography can bring stark contrast to even the most ordinary of objects. It’s proper use allows more artistic freedom than one would expect.

Newer Entries