David.Boettcher
Established
OK, I'm not that dumb, I know that it is used to lock the lens focus on infinity.
But why? Locking a lens on infinity "loses" half of the depth of field for whatever f-stop is selected at the time.
I always thought that it is far more useful to keep a lens set to a median aperture and shutter combination for the current conditions, and the lens set to the hyperfocal distance for that aperture, then if an opportunity suddenly arises you can get off a quick shot and it is likely to turn out when you may have missed it messing about with the light meter.
No doubt there is some blindingly obvious reason for an infinity lock which I just can't think of.
Regards - David
But why? Locking a lens on infinity "loses" half of the depth of field for whatever f-stop is selected at the time.
I always thought that it is far more useful to keep a lens set to a median aperture and shutter combination for the current conditions, and the lens set to the hyperfocal distance for that aperture, then if an opportunity suddenly arises you can get off a quick shot and it is likely to turn out when you may have missed it messing about with the light meter.
No doubt there is some blindingly obvious reason for an infinity lock which I just can't think of.
Regards - David
Ranchu
Veteran
It's for unscrewing the lens, so you aren't putting pressure on the internals when putting on and taking off the lens. : )
dave lackey
Veteran
For my use, I find that keeping the Summarit on infinity lock, I always have a reference point from which I turn the lens in only one direction to the desired position...which is a very short distance, btw.
Just one less thing to think about and it becomes second nature very quickly. At my age, I like to keep it simple.
Just one less thing to think about and it becomes second nature very quickly. At my age, I like to keep it simple.
dave lackey
Veteran
David.Boettcher
Established
Nice theory, but the early models without interchangeable lenses had infinity locks on the body. It was only when interchangeable lenses were introduced that it moved to the lens mount.
It may be a use for it, but it wasn't the original reason for it.
Regards - David
Sparrow
Veteran
... that and it stops infinity getting too close
kossi008
Photon Counter
Probably for landscapes...
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
It's to add another layer of skill to RF use, another barrier-to-entry to keep the rabble out. Speaking of which, you are banned for even asking the question ;-).
Ranchu
Veteran
Thanks, I like it. Both interchangeable and non interchangeable cameras having the locks doesn't mean they had them for the same reason. Maybe it's to keep non interchangeable ones flopping around, maybe it's fashion.
Traut
Well-known
It was a means to lock the lens to facilitate lens changing. It started with screw mounts to keep the pressure/stress off the focusing mechanism plus to save time. I was not a "picture taking" device/improvement.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
It was expressly designed to tick me off when I least expect it.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
To infinity and not beyond?!!!
Bob
Bob
Beemermark
Veteran
I believe this one, especially when trying to focus just short of infinity.It was expressly designed to tick me off when I least expect it.
pagpow
Well-known
Beat me to it, Stewart. Nice to know there's someone else here w. a disorderly mind.
Giorgio
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
Then why have an infinity lock on a lens meant for newer mounts? (ie. non LTM lenses)
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear David,
True, but with collapsible lenses, there's still the need to pull the lens barrel out and lock it/unlock it without rotating the focusing mount.
Cheers,
R.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
Well, as my UK colleagues would put it-- the infinity lock is a feature designed to make an already complicated rangefinder even more "fiddly".
dave lackey
Veteran
Robin Harrison
aka Harrison Cronbi
The universe is expanding, so the focus distance of 'infinity' is always moving. The 'infinity lock' allows the photographer to transcend such cosmological trivalities and make sure that the boundary of the three standard space dimensions will always remain tack sharp. The complex mechanism was devised by Edwin Hubble circa 1927.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
ROTFLOL!!!!