Phigment Technologies LM-NEX Instruction Manual

LM-NEX Lens Adapter

v1.2

WARNINGS/DISCLAIMERS:

This device is not associated or approved by either Leica or Sony Corp.

DO NOT OPERATE WITH DATA CABLE WHILE MOUNTED ON THE CAMERA. This will likely not cause a problem, but this is not a mode of operation. Results are undefined when used in this configuration.

FCC INFORMATION TO USERS

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment

Table of Contents

1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 4

2. Quick Start / Basic Operation ........................................................................................................... 1

2.1. Identifying Adapter Version ..................................................................................................... 1

2.2. “Coded” or Registered Lenses .................................................................................................. 1

2.2.1. Changing a lens................................................................................................................. 1

2.3. Non-Coded Lenses.................................................................................................................... 1

2.3.1. One time configuration ..................................................................................................... 1

2.3.2. Normal Operation ............................................................................................................. 2

3. Features ............................................................................................................................................. 3

4. Advanced operation .......................................................................................................................... 4

4.1. Registering a Lens..................................................................................................................... 4

4.2. Define a custom lens id............................................................................................................. 5

4.3. Using Peripheral illumination correction .................................................................................. 5

4.4. Defining Peripheral illumination correction ............................................................................. 5

4.5. Firmware Upgrade .................................................................................................................... 5

5. Technical Information....................................................................................................................... 6

5.1. CONFIG.TXT ........................................................................................................................... 6

5.2. STATUS.TXT........................................................................................................................... 6

5.3. LENSINFO.DAT ...................................................................................................................... 6

6. Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................ 6

6.1. Camera is using the wrong lens ................................................................................................ 7

6.2. Focus assist is not working ....................................................................................................... 7

6.3. Adapter not recognized by camera............................................................................................ 7

1. Introduction

This manual describes the use of the Phigment Technologies LM-NEX adapter. This adapter mounts a Leica-M mount compatible lens on to a Sony E-mount camera. The Phigment LM-NEX automatically detects compatible lenses and presents the appropriate data to the camera. The Phigment LM-NEX Version 1.1 will not recognize lens coding without lens “registration”. Using this adapter allows for focus assist as well as storing EXIF data in to the captures images.

The adapter is easy to use, but also highly configurable. This manual will help you quickly configure your adapter.

2. Quick Start / Basic Operation

2.1. Identifying Adapter Version

The original Phigment LM-NEX contained an ID sensor capable of reading Leica 6-bit codes. The Phigment LM-NEX Version 1.1 contains an ID sensor requiring registration of lenses.

The only physical difference between these adapters is the omission of 3 light sensors. The differences can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2 below.

Figure 1 - Phigment LM-NEX

Figure 2 - Phigment LM-NEX Version 1.1

2.2. “Coded” or Registered Lenses

•

Mount Lens on LM-NEX adapter by lining up the “alignment dot” to the “release tab”

• Mount adapter on camera

• Turn on camera

• The adapter should auto detect the appropriate Leica lens with the correct focal length and

aperture value recorded in the image EXIF data

• The camera will allow the aperture to be changed, but this will not change the physical aperture

of the lens

2.2.1. Changing a lens

In order for the camera to recognize a lens has been changed, you either need to disconnect the adapter and reconnect it, or you can power down the camera and turn it back on. Some cameras may take a while to send the “shutdown” command to the adapter, so if power cycling the camera, a few seconds may be required before turning the camera back on.

2.3. Non-Coded Lenses

2.3.1. One time configuration

• Plug in the adapter to a computer's USB port

• Open CONFIG.TXT in a text editor and update the “id” field to the desired default lens

• <optional> To ensure that the sensor does not pick up a faulty reading an interpret it as a coded

lens, set the “sensor” field to “0”

2.3.2. Normal Operation

• Disconnect the adapter from the data cable.

• Mount Lens on LM-NEX adapter by lining up the “alignment dot” to the “release tab”

• Mount adapter on camera

• Turn on camera

• The lens should use the default id as selected in step 2.

3. Features

• Nickel plated brass mounts

• Anodized aluminum body

• Precise 27.8mm register distance

• Automatically recognizes 6-bit coded lenses (original Phigment LM-NEX)

• Recognize up to 10 “registered” lenses

• "Rangefinder coupling"

• Optional Lens peripheral illumination profiles

• Fully user configurable

• User firmware upgradeable

4. Advanced operation

4.1. Registering a Lens

Ensure lens has unique markings where the 6-bit code resides (you can use a black marker if you don't have a coded lens)

Mount lens on adapter

Attach adapter to computer via USB cable

Edit 'CONFIG.TXT': add a line 'register X', where X represents the lens ID between 1 and 10 inclusive

e. f.

Save the file

Detatch adapter from computer

Re-attach adapter to computer

View 'STATUS.TXT' to verify an entry exists for the lens ID previously selected. This entry should be similar to the current 'r'ead value.

j. k.

This lens is now registered and will be recognized as the lens ID specified

4.2. Define a custom lens id

The file LENSINFO.DAT contains the lens information. Please use the lens info generator at

http://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/ to generate and update lens information.

You can load your existing lens file using the “load” button. After this is complete you will need to download the adjusted file and copy it onto the adapter to overwrite the LENSINFO.DAT file.

4.3. Using Peripheral illumination correction

Lenses have the option of defining a peripheral illumination profile. To use the supplied profile (if present) set the “profile” option to “1” in CONFIG.TXT. To disable lens profiles, set “profile” to “0”.

4.4. Defining Peripheral illumination correction

The peripheral illumination correction parameters can be entered via the configuration generator at

http://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/

4.5. Firmware Upgrade

Please see instructions that come with the firmware upgrade Visit the downloads section at http://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/ for more information.

5. Technical Information

attached lens identification data and store the data as

5.1. CONFIG.TXT

The following fields define the general operation of the adapter:

(Please note, the parameter names are case sensitive)

Parameter Valid Values

id 1-62 This selects the default lens id when no lens is

recognized or the ID sensor is disabled.

sensor 0, 1 0 – Disable the lens ID sensor

1 – Enable the lens ID sensor

focus 0, 1 0 – Disable the focus change sensor

1 – Enable the focus change sensor

profile 0, 1 0 – Globally disable lens profiles

1 – Enable lens profiles if enabled for the present lens

cast 0, 1 0 – Globally disable lens cast correction

1 – Enable lens cast correction if enabled for the present lens

threshF 1-255 This is a hidden value and is used to determine the

threshold on when a focus change operation is detected. Typical values are 3 to 5.

display 0, 1, 2 What do the LEDs display while connected to USB:

0 – scrolling 1 – Currently detected lens id 2 – Track focus distance

Description

identification for the specified lens ID.

5.2. STATUS.TXT

This file contains the current firmware version number and the lens serial number. Depending on configuration parameters, some seemingly random numbers may be present after the serial number. This data may be useful in troubleshooting.

5.3. LENSINFO.DAT

This file contains the lens information for each lens programmed in to the adapter.

Adapters using the 6-bit identification mode contain 62 lens entries. Adapters using the ‘register’ module contain 10 lens entries and registration data.

6. Troubleshooting

6.1. Camera is using the wrong lens

•

If you are using non-coded lenses it is recommended that you turn OFF the id sensor.

•

In CONFIG.TXT set “sensor 0”

•

The lens id sensor may be disabled; adapter will use defaults programmed in CONFIG.TXT

• The lens info file may be incorrect. Use the lens info editor at

http://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/ to analyze the file

6.2. Focus assist is not working

•

Focus assist may be disabled in the camera. See camera manual about re-enabling focus assist.

•

Focus may be disabled in the adapter configuration.

• Camera may be set to non MF mode.

• Focus assist will only work down to 0.7m

6.3. Adapter not recognized by camera

•

Check contact pins are free of any dirt

• Is the adapter recognized by a computer? The name of the MSD should be LM-NEX VXX

where XX is the firmware version number. If XX equals “00” then no firmware is installed and only the bootloader is present. Please apply a firmware update.

• The adapter may require reload of firmware [NOTE: do not do this unless you have a

firmware file to present to the adapter]

• While connecting the pins as shown in Figure 3 - Entering Bootloader Mode, plug in the data

cable. This will reset the device to a bare bootloader and an MSD should attach with name LMNEX V00. You can now disconnect the pins. Drop the latest firmware onto the drive and ensure it is named “FIRMWARE.FW”. Once copied, disconnect the cable and reconnect. After a few seconds you should see the standard MSD files. Disconnect and try again on camera.

Figure 3 - Entering Bootloader Mode

Phigment Technologies LM-NEX Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual