Focusing Tab on 7artisans / DJ-Optical 50mm f1,1?

[krötenblender]

Hello all,

I know, many here have the lens already and since a few days I have mine in silver. So far, I really like that lens.

I noticed, that there was a rubber focusing-tab included, that can be put onto the lens with adhesive tape. Did anyone here try this?

A focusing tab is an essential help for good focusing for me and I like to have all my lenses with a tab, but I'm not sure, if 1. rubber is such a good idea for a tab and 2. if the adhesive tape is strong enough to hold the tab safe and for a long time stable on the lens (I doubt it).

Any experience with that, or may be better alternatives? (btw: I know the Taab focusing tabs and have them on my Zeiss lenses, but I'm only "half happy" with them...)

Thank you in advance for any useful comments!

 

[nhchen]

Ive used the tab on mine since the lens came out last year. I've gone through maybe 20-30 rolls with it on my M5 and it’s managed to stay on so far. The adhesive isn’t too strong because the tab can a little bit sometimes, but I just readjust it back, although it hasn’t fallen off yet. I don’t know what alternatives there are, but the tab does make the lens easier to focus.
Nathan

 

[krötenblender]

I don’t know what alternatives there are, but the tab does make the lens easier to focus.
Nathan

Thank you. I'm sure, it makes it easier. I'm totally used to focusing tabs and want nothing else... However, I noticed, that this lens is easy to focus since the drag is pretty low and the focus ring is easy to move. Nevertheless, a focus tab would be better.

One alternative is to add a real focus tab. I'm currently trying to do that for my Zeiss lenses: I'm constructing focusing tabs using a 3D program and will have them made from aluminium with a CNC machine. I have to test, how well this works. But having a simpler/cheaper alternative, would be nice...

 

[Chris197]

Hey Krotenblender,

I've used these in the past and have found them useful as a quick fix alternative to gluing or self adhesive for focus tabs. The largest one fitted just fine on my Voigtlander 50mm Nocton, so should be okay on your 7A. Cheap enough to experiment with -
https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/taab-focus-tabs/8867-leitz-telyt-20cm-f45-viso-lens.html

More sizes here - https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/336-taab-focus-tabs

 

[krötenblender]

I've used these in the past and have found them useful as a quick fix alternative to gluing or self adhesive for focus tabs. The largest one fitted just fine on my Voigtlander 50mm Nocton, so should be okay on your 7A. Cheap enough to experiment with

Thanks, I cite myself from post #1: „ I know the Taab focusing tabs and have them on my Zeiss lenses, but I'm only "half happy" with them..“ 😀

 

[Sumarongi]

To the collectors' eyes this certainly looks kooky and barbaric, but I don't care, since it works like a charm: occasionally, I use *Jubilee Clips* for that task.

What is a *Jubilee Clip*?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Clip

It's a sophisticated, Great Britain made, hose clamp 😀
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_clamp

(Duh, the collector could put some self-adhesive felt into the clamp's inside to avoid scratches.)

 

[krötenblender]

What is a *Jubilee Clip*?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Clip

Nice idea, I never tried that, although I had the idea also. But I think, the metal-thingy, where the screw is, doesn't feel very comfortable to the finger. Also, this misses the notch, where to put the finger into. Instead, you can only push from either side. That makes it slower than a real tab with a notch.

It's a sophisticated, Great Britain made, hose clamp 😀
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_clamp

We have those in Germany also, made in Germany with special Diesel-Software.

 

[Sumarongi]

Nice idea, I never tried that, although I had the idea also. But I think, the metal-thingy, where the screw is,

... nut, I presume, but I'm not an expert regarding the terminology ...

doesn't feel very comfortable to the finger. Also, this misses the notch, where to put the finger into. Instead, you can only push from either side. That makes it slower than a real tab with a notch.

Hm, actually, *to me* there's not such a big difference --

this

or that

have both multiple notches, but I guess you mean *one* large finger-tip rest so to say?

We have those in Germany also, made in Germany with special Diesel-Software.

Oh, I guess that's the place where a polite person has to answer: *Congrats to your, erm, new gubmint!* (It's April 1st, after all 😀)

 

[krötenblender]

Hm, actually, *to me* there's not such a big difference --
...
have both multiple notches, but I guess you mean *one* large finger-tip rest so to say?

Yes, that is what I mean. A focusing tab like the ones many Leica-M lenses have (and Voigtländer and others).

To me, this is a big difference in focusing speed and handling ergonomics. Indeed, that is one reason, why I avoided Zeiss lenses for many years, although I often prefer their character and optical performance to some of their Leica-counterparts.

The tab coming with the 7artisans has the right shape, but for one, it is rubber and I don't think that it will hold very good with the adhesive tape. I tend to focus fast and with some force, and I don't want to have this thing falling off in the middle of using it.

Oh, I guess that's the place where a polite person has to answer: *Congrats to your, erm, new gubmint!* (It's April 1st, after all 😀)

I tried to look it up unsuccessfully: what is "gubmint"?

 

[Doug]

I tried to look it up unsuccessfully: what is "gubmint"?

A mispronunciation of "government", I think used here just for humor. 🙂

 

[Huss]

I've had no issues with the stick on rubber tabs that came with the lens. The only thing I don't like about it is it is too soft. For my taste there is too much flex in the tab. It has no issues staying on the lens, but I just wish the material was harder.