[Leica] Coding the Noctilux?

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

Hi Ken,

When I first got my M8 my Noctilux didn't focus correctly, and I 
intended to have it adjusted. But I found I was shooting a lot with 
the camera and really didn't want it out of my hands for any length 
of time, so I put it off. Then, when I got a second body used which 
had been adjusted, I decided to take the plunge and sent off my 
original body, the Noctilux and 3 other lenses for adjustment and 
coding. The coding for the Noctilux was more of 'I might as well 
while it's there' than anything else. I would not have bothered if 
there had not been any other issue.

In any case I sent off this package in late spring, and had 
questioned the LUG on how to best send this to Germany. The result 
was that I sent it ExpressPost without full insurance and everything 
worked out, although there were some anxious moments. The only 
reasonable alternative would have been to fly to Germany myself.

The Noctilux and the 75 Summilux now focus dead on with both bodies 
wide open. There is of course the back focus when stopped down, but I 
rarely use the Noctilux between f/1 and f/5.6, so I can make 
adjustments the few times I do use those apertures.

At f/1 the Noctilux is a delight and needs no coding to work. The 
vignetting in the corners is cut off by the crop, and the lens is, if 
anything, more appealing to me on the M8 than on film. I use it a lot.

So, as others have noted, get lenses 28 and shorter coded, and if you 
can spare the 35's for a while, maybe get them coded. I haven't, as I 
wanted to have some lenses between 50 and the WATE here on the other 
body while the rest of the lenses were having their vacation in Solms.

-- 

    *            Henning J. Wulff
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