Lens coding with a Dremel / Proxxon

Post date: 28.12.2012 18:12:09

Today I successfully coded my first lens with a Dremel / Proxxon, the Voigtländer Nokton 1.4 40mm as a Leica Summilux 1.4 35mm Asph.

I marked the positions of the needed black pits with the MatchTechnical LensCoder Kit and marked the edges of the needed pits with a fine needle moving it around the holes of the LensCoder Kit (http://www.matchtechnical.com/Pages/coderkit.aspx).

I used a Proxxon Micromot with 5.000 to 20.000 rpm, costing around 50 Euro.

For getting a feeling for the machine I experimented a bit with

• 2,1mm and 2,3mm Tungsten carbide millers and
• 2,5mm cylindrical Carborundum grinding bits (Proxxon Nr. 28 774)

on a simple steel plate.

The grinding bits were far better to handle and control (no vibrations) and less aggressive on the metal.

I packed the lens into a plastic bag, secured it with two rubber bands, for preventing metal filings or grinds getting into the lens:

With the first try I have been a bit too cautious, so the M9 recognized the lens as Leica Elmarit 2.8 24mm.

And that's the final result (after only 30 minutes), the pits blackened with the pencil of the Coder Kit - in my opinion not bad for the first try:

(Sorry for the low qualitiy pics, but here the priority was another one)