Pindy
Member
I use a 35 Summilux ASPH and love the tab. I rented a 50 Summilux ASPH and loved it but think the smaller, lighter Cron is going to suit me better. Between the v4 and v5 Crons, would you take the tab over the ring? Don't care? I probably need to rent a v5 current Cron to really know, but I'm guessing it would be difficult to not have the beloved focus tab if my fingers expect it to be there. I borrowed a 90 ASPH and didn't like the focus ring nor the stiffness of the turn.
damien.murphy
Damien
Depends on how you use a 50, if you ask me. A 50mm is the lens I use for contemplative shooting and don't mind/ miss a focus tab, whereas I shoot quickly unfolding street-type events with a 35 and for that I definitely prefer a focus tab.
Pindy
Member
That's a perspective I hadn't considered.
rbrooks
Established
I liked the tabbed version
rogerzilla
Well-known
This probably goes against the grain of Leica lore, but a tab doesn't work too well on a tripod - at least, one with a large baseplate.
I'm a fan of tabs on lenses with short focus throws... if it has a long focus throw, the tab annoys me.
horosu
Well-known
No tabs for me. Switching between aperture and tab is a nightmare I feel (maybe because I work in manual mode but do not use a lightmeter).
retnull
Well-known
Tabs are great. For a year I used my tabbed Summicron exclusively, and by the end of the year I was able to focus just by knowing where the tab should be.
sanmich
Veteran
a lot depends on the lens size.
Imagine focusing a summicron 35mm without a tab...
Imagine using one on a 90mm...
also, there are quite some differences between tab types: convex, concave, small lever that you pinch between your thumb and finger.
I think I had a v. IV cron 35mm with a round tab, which is nice since it allows you to keep the syme type of contact with your finger along the throw.
The cron asph has a concave tab which is very well designed with an angletowards the front.
The Hexanon-M 35mm has a tab which I find less ergonomic.
the best is really to try them for a while. The idea of renting is certainly good...
Imagine focusing a summicron 35mm without a tab...
Imagine using one on a 90mm...
also, there are quite some differences between tab types: convex, concave, small lever that you pinch between your thumb and finger.
I think I had a v. IV cron 35mm with a round tab, which is nice since it allows you to keep the syme type of contact with your finger along the throw.
The cron asph has a concave tab which is very well designed with an angletowards the front.
The Hexanon-M 35mm has a tab which I find less ergonomic.
the best is really to try them for a while. The idea of renting is certainly good...
alun severn
Established
The tab on my V4 35/2 seems perfect to me and life without it is unimaginable. The tab on my 28/2.8 ASPH by comparison seems too shallow and my finger often slips out of it when focusing over the longer focus throw. On the other hand, I never really got on with the tabbed version of the 50/2 I had and swapped it for a later untabbed.
I think the use of tabs is highly personal but I think the overall design and ergonomics of the lens also plays a huge part. And as another poster has said, generally they work better on shorter lenses and even better on those designed to have a short focus throw.
I think the use of tabs is highly personal but I think the overall design and ergonomics of the lens also plays a huge part. And as another poster has said, generally they work better on shorter lenses and even better on those designed to have a short focus throw.
Pindy
Member
Nuanced and reasoned replies, all of you. Thanks. Some renting will take place. I think the 50/2 is my next purchase, which is reputed to be a short-throw focus. I'll do my best to find a tabbed and current model to try out.
umcelinho
Marcelo
well said.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I like them with and without focus tabs. You get used to it. No big.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I like tabs. I even have one on my 35/2.8 Biogon-C.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
DAG put a tab on my latest version 50/2 and I absolutely love it. Quite reasonable cost. I would say to avoid the flat tab version unless you can give one a try. I had that 50/2 for a while and really disliked that tab.
sleepyhead
Well-known
ditto for me.
hexiplex
Well-known
This is so true, my second version Summicron has an aperture tab as well as a focusing tab and both of them really help me with focusing and changing aperture. By feeling where the tab is I can determine what f/stop I am at.
myM8yogi
Well-known
I too fell in love with tabs after using the 35 cron ASPH extensively with an M8.
Now I have added tabs to my ZM21/2.8 and even my CV35/1.2. Would not be without them!
Now I have added tabs to my ZM21/2.8 and even my CV35/1.2. Would not be without them!
. Works perfectly, and matches my Gen 4 50mm Summicron in ergos as well as contrast/sharpness. 
