Making life a little simpler, I roughed out the layout of the 6bit codes in Corel draw and tossed a sheet of cardboard in my laser, then a bit of glossy photopaper for the actual stencil. the result is a simply lock in place paper stencil.
More pictures and layout for DIY types or purchase a ready to use template after the link.
Backside made from corugated cardboard to get a bit of grip on the edge of the lens mount, I made a tap for easy positioning.
The top side made from heavy glossy photopaper to prevent the sharpie from destroying it when used multiple times. The two little holes are for positioning when gluing the pieces together.
The result: CV 35 1.4 coded and ready to go, and yes it works.
By the way, note the groove in the mount where the black marks is, this is a new feature on some Voitlander lenses, the recess protects the sharpie marks from being worn off when mounted on the camera..
DO IT YOUR SELF Click here for the original JPG file of the layout, you can print it and cut it out of a piece of cardboard with a xacto knife. OR right click here and select save file, to download the coreldraw file. You can definitely make this template yourself in about 5 minutes with a printer and xacto knife. Enjoy.
READY TO USE. I have laser cut and assembled a couple of these. PayPal me 5 bucks and I will toss one in the mail for you. note this is only the template as pictured above, no suggestions for codes and no sharpie included.
People much smarter than me have created a list of lens codes Click here for M lens codes
You will need these codes for coding your lenses manually.
Here is a very straight forward way to code your lens by hand Click to read post on LUF.
There are more than one way to skin a cat - read about my experiment with sticky coding-strips.
For those with no fear, pull out your Dremmel tool and make groves for coding. Click to read post on LUF.
Original tread about lens coding on the Leica User Forum Click to read
DPreview have a posting of the original press release about Leica lens coding. Click to read
There is also a excellent code kit from Match Tech
which includes the list of codes and a sharpie in a very nice case.
Bo,
I received the stencils that you sent me. One did not work the other worked perfectly on my CV 35mm f/1.4. Thank you very much. Since they are delicate the way you make them, I am going to order another pair to hold for the occasion of my next non-Leica lens; probably a Zeiss 50 planar.
Thanks again,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Blumer | February 16, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Hello Mark,
You are the first to have a problem with one of these, Im sending you replacement right away, no need to order another.
Thank you for the feedback.
Bo
Posted by: Bo Lorentzen | February 19, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Hey Bo... when i print out those jpg's the size is bigger in the cutout than the lens... trying to code the CV 35 f2.5 sokpar PII. Thanks, Howie
Posted by: Howie Feller | March 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I just ordered the template from you.. My exacto days are long over!
tks, howie
Posted by: Howie Feller | March 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Hi Bo,
I would like to order your M8 coder.
If I use the Buy Now button I can pay with paypal.
However, I live in The Netherlands - should I not add shipping costs?
Thanx.
Franc.
Posted by: Franc de Vocht | June 18, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Hello Bo, I want to buy one of these but I live in Iceland. Would you ship there and how much would that cost extra?
Regards,
Petur.
Posted by: Pétur Geir | September 02, 2009 at 05:56 AM
Hello Petur,
The template is really small and is shipped in a regular envelope with a piece of cardboard for protection, PayPal me $6
REMEMBER - avoid the "fine-point" sharpie and stick to the traditional one as it make a more juicy mark.
Bo
Posted by: Bo Lorentzen | September 02, 2009 at 06:55 AM
I would like to get one shipped to Finland. Is $6 enough?
Posted by: Markus Puustinen | September 21, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Hi Bo,
how much would you charge for the m8 coder to send to Belgium?
best regards
Posted by: Karel Swinnen | October 18, 2009 at 12:56 PM
hey I just sent you paypal for one of your encoder cutouts. That's awesome! I just purchased a pre-asph 28mm elmarit and going to self-code it for my M*
Posted by: dan valente | October 24, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Hi, how long does delivery usually take? I'm in San Francisco and need to have it by the 9th. Hope to hear back!
Posted by: Joe | October 29, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Hi Bo,
I am in Singapore and wish to buy one from you. Please let me know the total cost including international air mail charges.
Regards
YPC
Posted by: Yow Peng-chee | November 07, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Hello YPC,
I have just added a paypal link for international. See above.
Bo
Posted by: Bo Lorentzen | November 07, 2009 at 09:17 AM