infinity lock Like it? Hate it? cool? Uncool?

[Dektol Dan]

10-4

10-4

I'm probably wrong but I thought that they were originally mainly useful on LTM's to help remove/mount the lens. On the M's I find them rather a pain - especially on my 35/2 V1. That one I don't think is as easyt to remove or disable as the ones on say the 50's. I do however like the tabs (or spurs as RH calls them) on some lenses.
If they are not primarily for helping remove/mount an LTM lens, I'd be interested in hearing the reason for them
Cheers

Same for M's too. It way easier swap lenses at infinity. The things just fall into place (Surprise! Just like they were designed!). With a DR Summicron on an M6 it's manditory. It's just like learning to march, dance or copulate. Some never get the first step right, those folks can mange but are always a bit klutzy.

 

[Shac]

One of the handling aspects of my Summitar I like is that unlike lenses such as the first 2.8 50 elmar & others, I have the option of using the infinity tab or the knurled focussing ring (absent on most other (I think) Leitz infinity-locked lenses).

 

[Vics]

I have the Collapsible Summicron with the focusing tab. If that's what you mean, I like it a lot. It's great for "ballpark" focusing. I bought a DR recently and really I wish I had bought the Rigid, same lens but without the near focus feature, but WITH the tab. Maybe somebody wants to trade? I have the goggles.
Vic

 

[rbiemer]

For the Kievs, would the 50mm made for the Kiev 5 (Helios 94?) work on the earlier models? You could then put together a kit of all external mount lenses and not have the focus lock to be concerned with. I think. Was there a version of the J-3 made for the Kiev 5?
Rob

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I don't hate and don't like, i'm indifferent. I own the Leitz Summitar 50 mm f/ 2 and Leitz Summaron 35 mm f/ 2,8 with the infinitity lock and don't find many trouble.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[Mean Panda]

thank you for all your votes. After reading all your responses carefully, I think inifinity locks is a useful for some, but some really hate it. My summilux 35 with the lock does not give me any problem, but I am thinking about selling it, because this lens with the lock seems very desirable for collector. I saw one sold for more than $1500. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170172393131
I will be pretty happy if mine can sell it for about 1400, since I brought mine for only 1000 4 years ago.
Thanks again for all your replies.

 

[jky]

I had an elmar years ago and I hated the darn things (inf lock).... well, just wasn't used to them. Always forgot to press then turn... missed a few shots 'cause of it.
So... user error I guess.

 

[hans voralberg]

It's ok on my summar, actually quite like it. On the Fed is a whole new story those, hate it

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The "clip" locks on the Canon LTM lenses are really annoying if they're mounted on an M-mount body.

Other than that, it's a great design; how else do you think you can quickly and easily unmount that lens!

 

[Andrew3511]

I have been out today with the rigid Summicron 50. There's no problem with the lock, you know it's there and put your finger on the button to focus the lens. If the lock is on it does make it a lot easier to change lenses.

One thing about Leica lenses, I have a lot of Zuiko lenses for the OM system and they all follow a common layout, aperture ring end of lens in half-stop clicks, then rubberised focussing ring, release for bayonet and button for stop down always in the same place. Leica M lenses may be inconsistent because of the length of time they were manufactured over but I have some with infinity lock on a spur (rigid summ 50) one with infinity lock on a tab (summaron 35) several with no infinity lock at all and no tab (summi 90, s'lux 75, s'lux 50 Elmarit 135) and one with a tab and no infinity lock (S'lux 35).

I suppose you just have to get used to it. Each lens has it's own characteristics and the handling quirks are part of that?

 

[Tom A]

I dislike the infinity locks! You always end up forgetting it and try to focus. Youthen have to grab the lock and depress it and start all over again. There is also a Murphy's law that comes into play. The subject you are focussing on is just at the end of the throw - and suddenly the lock goes "click" as it slides over the cam!
I usually remove it and sometimes grind off the "catch" part - voila - a perfect focussing lens with no "hang ups' (pun intended).

 

[Viktor Sebastian]

I was thinking of removing the lock from my Summarit and grinding off the excess metal. But perhaps it is best just to buy a summilux?

 

[Chris101]

Annoying and uncool. I am definitely the kind that presets focus to the max for a given f-stop and situation. But then I rarely look through the view/range finder.

 

[dfoo]

I hate the infinity locks. I love focusing tabs though! I don't get why anyone would hate the tab actually...

 

[kossi008]

I voted "annoying, hate it" as it gets in the way every time I try to focus on something, say, 20 m away or so... it snaps right back to infinity... :bang:

 

[elmer3.5]

Canon

Canon

Hi, the only problme i got was with the rf canon 50 1.2, very distractive so i just flipped the spring to remain always open!

In the other lenses specially elmar type and so it´s very useful to unscrew from camera.

Bye!

E

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I like the focus tab on the collapsible summicron. The tab stops right at 50ft or so before it locks into infinity which is just the right distance to focus across the street. Pretty handy for quick focusing.

 

[jamato8]

My first real camera was the IIIC with a Summitar. I had the locking device and never gave it a second thought. I am neutral, don't care or care, I just used the camera and still have it. :^)

 

[helen.HH]

on my 1966 35 lux its not a problem...
on the 1959 35 summaron its a PAIN...
😀

 

[Rico]

On my '59 Summaron 35/2.8, the infinity lock has a very light action and is disengaged transparently when using the tab. The design allows focus right up to infinity - unlike my Elmar 50.