focusing tab on 40 Nokton

[sf]

I said at some point that the focusing tab on the Nokton 40 was difficult to get used to. It sure has been a pain. But, I took it out to shoot some test rolls and brought a Manfrotto tripod with the standard plate which I attached to the camera for quick release. The focusing tab, because it is located on the bottom of the barrel, makes it impossible to focus when the camera is attached to the tripod. Absolutely impossible. I had to tweak the tab with two pens from each side in order to focus. Yikes. VERY annoying.

But, the R3A performed very well. I took it out to shoot in Seattle and around Monroe (rural) Washington. Shot 6 rolls. Maybe it was seven. It seemed to work very well, the focusing is nice, and I feel very confident in the accuracy of my focusing whereas I never felt confident focusing my manual SLRs like my Canon AE-1.

The shutter click is metallic and actually loudish. It is as loud as the AE-1, but with less shake. It shakes more and makes a great deal more noise than an M3 I recently held. The film rewind lever also wiggles. Oh well. It isn't a Leica. Now I see why those who have the $ do what they do and say what they say.

 

[aizan]

tripod? what's that? =)

if you'll be using a tripod often, the $160 trigger winder has a second socket to the side. plus, it's a trigger winder!

 

[peter_n]

I said at some point that the focusing tab on the Nokton 40 was difficult to get used to. It sure has been a pain. But, I took it out to shoot some test rolls and brought a Manfrotto tripod with the standard plate which I attached to the camera for quick release. The focusing tab, because it is located on the bottom of the barrel, makes it impossible to focus when the camera is attached to the tripod. Absolutely impossible. I had to tweak the tab with two pens from each side in order to focus. Yikes. VERY annoying.

Oooh! Good point!! I use a tripod and I never thought about this. Grist to the mill for the (small) membership of the Anti-Tab Brigade here! 🙂

 

[Doug]

Even the Bessa side grip would jack the camera up on the tripod enough probably to avoid the focus tab problem.

 

[sockeyed]

My side grip doesn't have a tripod socket, though. This always struck me as a bit strange.

 

[Doug]

Huh, yer right, inexplicable! 🙁 The Leica grip does, and of course the Bessa Triggerwinder too...

 

[DaveSee]

Yes, the focus tab on the CV Nokton 40--and Summicron 35--is not user-friendly when the
camera is mounted on a tripod. I too use a QR system, but do not have the required "dual
bic pen" issue... and on my Bessa-T I use a RRS "generic" L-mounting plate, so I just attach
the camera further out when shooting these tab-based lenses. The Leica M body is a bit more
elevated, but all in all--and because the tripod mounting slows the whole picture making
process--I am not *too* put off with these lenses and their focus tab.

I get along OK with the tabs when hand-held... after many years, I'm used to it.

rgds,
Dave

 

[Mark Swearingen]

Bessa tripod head woes w/40mm f1.4

Bessa tripod head woes w/40mm f1.4

Now that a couple years have gone by, did you find a solution to this problem?

 

[MtnPhoto]

If you are using an arca style release plate on your ballhead. The BPnS plate from Really Right Stuff will allow to position the camera so the focusing tab is accessable. It has the milled bevel on 4 sides instead of 2. It is also easy to remove if you want to avoid the stigma of tripod use from your street shooting friends.🙂
Dana.

 

[0bli0]

i love the wings - much better than nothing or the 'pin'. i'm glad they used it on the 21 pancake. i seldom use a tripod with this lens. when i do, i just use my fingers on the ring. it moves very easily that way.