Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I determined from looking at images projected during the Leica Akademie in Wetzlar last week that the 6-bit coding business is primary a marketing gimmick. The only realistic reason evident was to have the lens focal length included in the image file EXIF data. There were many images taken by average joes with a variety of lenses with no visible vignetting. I even took some with the VC 12mm lens that at least on quick review showed little or no vignetting. The 6-bit code does not distinguish between, for example, which of the three focal lengths a Tri-Elmar may be set to, so what processing can the camera actually do? None. It cannot apply the same vignetting or other algorithm at 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Furthermore, it's not clear at this point that different versions of the same Leica lens at a given focal length will have a different code -- so a new 28mm lens may have the same code as a 1950s version. So, again, there is no practical optical correction that the camera's processor can apply. And no one from Leica indicated that this coding was essential. All the cameras we had that day had the 6-bit code detection feature turned off. So, buyer beware. Dave. -- My Photography: http://www.david-keenan.com My Blog: http://www.david-keenan.com/euroblog