To 6-bit code or not

[kuau]

So, as I am still learning to use my M9, If I decide to purchase a non coded 50mm lens, I better send it in, or use the sharpie?
How long does DAG usually take?

Steven

 

[a_summarita]

How long does DAG usually take?

Long.

He quoted me 1 month for my Canon .95 conversion and it is still with him after 3. I think when he says '3 weeks to do the coding' it actually means 'when I get the time to finally start working on it, it will take 3 weeks.'

Don't get me wrong; Don is a great guy and the quality of his work needs no further reconfirmation. But he is kinda swarmed right now (always is).

 

[cam]

That's only part of my point.
Thomas has it
The real point is that you need to turn off the coding in the menu if you're using non-coded lenses. This is fine with your nice uncoded Nocti, until you put your wonderful 24 'lux on and forget to turn it back on again . . . and have a huge batch of badly damaged photos

huge batch of badly damaged photos??? can you elaborate?

i have exactly one single lens coded. period. and i swap them sometimes, back and forth, and don't always remember to turn on/off the recognition. and i honestly can't tell the difference if i have or haven't.

you warned me that i'd need the UV/IR filters and i did and do -- those do make a difference in clarity, imo. but coding??? really?

(as for knowing which lens -- i make a notation when i import the card what lens i used and that's that. just like film, no big deal. unless you're lazy.)

maybe i don't notice because most of my photos are destined for b/w? maybe because i don't have one of the fancy-dancy new lenses where it makes a difference? maybe because my C1 profiles (Jamie Roberts) are so good?

 

[jdavidr]

I hand-coded the following lenses with a dremel myself:
CV35 1.4
summicron 50mm
summilux 75mm
tele-elmarit thin 90mm

I took my time, and the whole job was about 2-3 hours including marking, drilling, testing, and cleaning up. The results aren't as pretty as having it done professionally (especially the 75/1.4 -- the mark overlaps a screw and it really looks like a hatchet job), but they all register perfectly and consistently.

Resale value was of no concern as I have no intentions of ever selling these lenses. That said, the 50/1.0 I recently bought used was already coded. This is the one lens that I would have considered sending in.

 

[ramosa]

i favor having coded lenses for current use--and it seems to help resale quite a bit. the problem for me would be NOT wanting to send a lens off to get it coded. i fear it'd take a long time ...