m8 framelines

[paisatge]

so, how do you set the correct framelines on the M8 with an un-coded lens?
does the lever in front does something like those on a bessa where you can select the framelines or that lever just allows you to quickly "preview" the composition with different framelines?

[Cactus jACK]

the 6-bit coding doesn't have anything to do with the frameline selection, that has to do with the physical lens mount. the mounts differ very slightly (24-35, 50-75, 28-90), and they will physically shift the frame selector to adjust for the framelines (as dictated by the lens mount).

the 6-bit coding is read by the m8 via the sensor at the bottom right of the camera mount. if you have enabled lens detection from your menu, and assuming your lens is coded, the sensor would read the binary (black and white... well, actually only the black) to identify the lens being used. this is for writing it into your exif data, as well as auto jpeg adjustments.

e.g. even though all leica 50mm lenses would choose the 50mm framelines, the 6-bit coding can help distinguish among the 50trielmarit, 50summilux, 50notilux, 50summicron, 50summarit, etc.

[paisatge]

oh I see.

thanks very much for the explanation

[gommy]

You also need the lens to bring up the right frameline & the correct 6 bit coding for the firmware to correct the cyan shift when you use UV/IR filter. As an example, take ZM21Biogonf2.8, the original mount that came with the lens brings up if I remember correctly, the 50/75 framelines on M8. If you just code the lens without changing the mount (ie, one that brings up 28/90 framelines just like the elmarit21asph), the firmware can't correct the cyan shift.
So if you have ZM21f2.8, you need to order a mount from Zeiss that brings up the 28/90 frameline, then you can code the lens with the new mount.
Hope this will not confuse you.

[paisatge]

thanks very much gommy for the clarification.

so, is there a "manual" way to bring up the framelines instead of just depending on the mount?

[K3N]

Originally Posted by paisatge thanks very much gommy for the clarification. so, is there a "manual" way to bring up the framelines instead of just depending on the mount?

Yes, you can push a lever located on the front of the camera body and below the viewfinder but it will not stay in place. You have to hold it there. Once you release the lever, it'll move to the framelines brought up by the mount.