Focusing Tab... and Ergonomics.

[JFH]

Hello, I'm new here and am on my second day, first roll of film, with my new Bessa R3A (my first RF) and 40mm Nokton lens. First impressions are very good, and I'm looking forward to the experience after using only SLR's (Minolta SRT101, and a couple of Olympus E-1's) for... forever.
A question now for those experienced in such matters: I often like to use a Manfrotto monopod (and tripod) with quick detatch plates. I noticed that when a plate is installed on this camera, the focussing tab on the Nokton lens, while it clears the plate rotationally, is extremely hard to reach. For me, this just about kills the usefulness of the monopod in any "fluid" situation requiring refocussing. Are there any accessory parts or "workarounds" available for this? Lack of knurling on the focus ring doesn't help either.
I'm perfectly prepared if the answer is either, "Just live with it," or, "RF's aren't really meant to be 'tripod cameras' anyway so just hand hold it and use your other cameras on the 'pod's." But among other things I was thinking of trying some slower b&w film in conditions that would require support, so I'm hoping that there's some kind of reasonable accommodation. I was almost considering epoxying a small piece of velcro or two on the focus ring where I could reach it, although I hate to take anything brand new and do something like this.. but maybe that's the only reasonable solution. Thoughts, please?
Thanks in advance for the help...

 

[kshapero]

Get a Voightlander sidegrip or a grip handle. cameraquest has them.

 

[JFH]

Ok, I can see why either the side or vertical grip would aid in steadiness, but I don't see how either has any ability to mount on the Manfrotto QD plate... or a tripod. i.e., I can't see any 1/4x20 mounting holes in either. But you have given me an idea... perhaps a 1/2" thick aluminum plate with screw to attach to the camera and a socket for the plate screw... this might raise the camera enough to provide clearance and at the same time could be offset to allow the lens to overhang more at the front and allow the tab to clear...

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

My trigger winder for this camera has two tripod sockets, and of course raises the camera away from the tripod anyway.

 

[JFH]

Thanks, Jon. That would work for me. A bit pricey for my budget right now but something to think about for the future. Actually, the "spacer" I consider in the above post would look something like the central 2 or 3 inches of the winder cut away from the rest... the thought process continues....

 

[minoltist7]

I had the same problem when used tripod - focusing lever obscured by detachable tripod plate. It seems that lenses with levers like this, was not intended to use with tripods. But it isn't a big problem - you can rotate lens ring by hand