Some time ago I acquired an M6 TTL with two lenses, the 35 Summicron ASPH and the 50mm Summicron (current generation). While I'm very happy with the system overall, I wish my 50mm lens had a focusing tab like the 35mm Summicron.

Is there a known way of adding a focusing tab to a lens that doesn't already have one?

-- Maestro Logos (maestro_logos@mac.com), February 03, 2001

Answers

Maestro

I've just bought a 90/2.8 which doesn't have and never did have a focussing tab. I'm going to have someone machine a collar with a tab on it to mount to the focussing ring.

This is probably cheaper than going to Leica to have them install one directly to the ring. And quicker!

I find the tabs extremely useful, plus when you have one on most of your lenses, you want them on all of them. The only drawback is I find they sometimes get moved by my hand when I'm using the rapidwinder.

Rob.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), February 03, 2001.

I don't have any problem working the focusing ring of my Leica M lenses with one finger, there seems to be enough grip and the rings turn easily enough. The focusing ring on the 35's are so skinny they benefit more from the tab.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 03, 2001.

Yes there are a couple of ways to add a focusing tab. Leica can add a focusing "post"; which is an adjustment knob from some enlarger part. They disassemble the lens, drill a hole in the focusing ring and away you go. You will probably have to talk to a service tech directly as it is not a normal service procedure.

The other way is to order the focusing tab from the earlier version of the 50/2 from Leica. It is meant to be held on by a screw and two locating nubs. Rather than again disassembling the lens, the easiest way (and least expensive) is to just mark and drill the holes for the locating nubs*, rough up the surface of the ring and affix it using epoxy glue.

*Mask the lens carefully! You do not want ANY filings inside!

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), February 03, 2001.

To John Collier :

Do you know what Leica charges for the tab? Do you have a part number? Drilling the focus ring sounds risky, can you share any other wisdom or advice before I attempt this? Like Robert, I miss having the tab on my new 90mm APO, so any advice is appreciated!

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 03, 2001.

Jack,

I am a big fan of the tabs, (I'm kepping my next to the last 50mm Summicron because of the tab being removed from the new one), but there might be a limitation as far as the longer lenses. The tab is only efficient over a limited range of rotation... both my 35mm and 50mm Summicrons have a rotation of about 95 - 100 degrees, just about 45 degrees from the 6 o'clock position. A small tweak for the left index finger.

My 90mm Elmarit M had a rotation of just about 180 degrees. I'm not sure I could swing my finger through that much movement without adjusting my left hand grip. The tab might not be as usful for the larger lenses... just my opinion.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), February 03, 2001.

Al, that's one reason I prefer the collar approach - you could adjust it to the useful position, which I imagine would probably be tab vertical with the focus set to 2 metres or so. Then the remaining travel to infinity would be about equal to that of the 35/1.4 asph. Anyway, I'll see how it goes and let you know. Rob.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), February 03, 2001.

I wonder if this is possible: Order a focusing ring for the previous generation summicron 50 and a focusing tab. Pre-install the tab onto the ring, and then replace onto lens. Will this work?

-- Maestro Logos (maestro_logos@mac.com), February 03, 2001.

Oops, sorry for disappearing for awhile there. The 90/2 is considerably fatter than 50/2 and the tab would not fit on. There was no 90/2 with tabs nor on any lens that fat around with a focusing tab. So you would have to carve your own. I think hobby shops would have blocks of suitable plastic and with a little time and a sharp whittling knife, you could have your tab. The idea for the tab came from a fellow Leica-user and I modified a six element 50/2. I do not remember the price (was not that expensive though) nor the part number but Leica should be easliy able to supply the part. If you are in the USA, use this email: leicaparts@ juno.com.

The focusing pin idea came from a professional photographer's post to the Leica-users so I cannot comment on it personally.

With fat lenses, I do not miss the focusing tab but on the thin lenses like the new 50/2, six element 50/2 and the thin 90/2.8TE, I think it is a good idea to add one.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), February 03, 2001.

That is a good point about the travel of the focusing ring Al. I guess that the lenses higher than 50 would not be good candidates for a tab.

Maestro:

The latest 50/2 mount's focusing ring would probably not be the same as earlier one. It is much easier to do the carefully drilling I mentioned than disassemble the lens. It also would be easy to trade your present lens for an earlier one with a tab and, as a bonus, you get a real lens shade.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), February 03, 2001.

To John and Robert:

FYI: I just measured (roughly) the angle of rotation of my 90 f2 apo/asph... it is equal to my 35 and 50 @ approx 135*(+/- 5*). Locating the tab for the same orientation at infinity as the smaller lenses, places the tab in the vertical position at about the 2.5 meter focus point -- not bad. I'm going to order the tab and try it out; I may have to modify the inner radius of the tab to fit the lens, but it could be worth the effort!

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 03, 2001.

I have the current Summicron as well. I ordered the tab from Leica in New Jersey right over the phone with a credit card. I glued mine on with epoxy. (Crazy?) I removed the locating tabs and lightly sanded the underside. I used the clear epoxy and used just enough to produce the tiniest amount of squeeze out when clamped. I used an old-fashioned woodworking clamp to do the job, just enough pressure to hold the tab in place. I use the camera everyday and the tab has been on the lens for two years and is as solid now as it was then...

-- Jeff Voorhees (debontekou@yahoo.com), February 03, 2001.

Hasselblad used to have a plastic ring with molded-on focus lever, as an accessory. You slipped it onto the lens, tightened a screw, and you were in business. Sounds like one of these would make a great aftermarket product. Feeling in an entreprenurial mood, anyone?

Idea #2: Starting with Jeff's glue-on idea, how about a nice do-it- yourself focus tab made out of something exotic, like African Rosewood, Andaman Padouk, or something like that? A little woodcarving in the basement might result in a nice focus tab. The base could be spread out broadly so as to afford a large glue area.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 03, 2001.

Hi to all of you fellows; for me having tabs in long lenses like 90īs may afect the valance of the camera, I may think the focusing barrel is steadier on this lenses, on wide angles is comfortable and a must since the small they are, on the 50īs I find the latest summicron (no tab) very useful focusing with one finger on the focusing barrel like if there were a tab, of course you canīt anticipate where the lens is focused but is pretty easy to move it with one finger; I donīt know whatīs the felling on a 50īlux, does anyone need a tab on that lens?.

-- Roberto Watson-Garcia (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.

Is the feeling about the lack of tab and the retractable hood on the latest 50 summicron so strongly against it? I was thinking a couple of years ago to change over. In the end I didn't, but the retractable hood seemed like a good idea.

-- Jim Shields (jim.shields@tasis.ch), February 04, 2001.

Jim:

IMHO: I feel the older style with the rigid hood offers more protection against impact than the retractible hood on the newer lens. Also, I happen to like the convenience of the focus tab on the older style, as you can learn to pre-focus by feel with a bit of practice.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 04, 2001.

Why not get the "earlier" generation Summicron, used?

Its optically the same as the "new" Summicron without the tab. You'll save a few bucks...

BTW, I find the current 35 Summicron lens hood matches that older Summicron perfectly, with the great convenience of the push on lens cap...The hood is deep enough to keep fingers off the front element surface, and since the cap pushes on, you never have to take the hood off.

A dot of rubber cement (removable) keeps the hood from rotating.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 04, 2001.