Tab on a 50 cron

[Lance]

I like my current 50mm cron. But I am beginning to think that it would be nice with a tab like the 35mm has for tactile reasons. It would be much easier to focus if I could feel where the lens is at.

I read about some drill in metal tab that some do, but I want concave thingie.

Can I get it? Where can I get it? Can I mount it myself? Why not? 😛 Is the original mounted one glued on or what?

Thanks

 

[alexz]

Well, admiring the quality of 35mm ASPH I own, I still can't quite get used to its tab (and tab focusing in general), this is after about a month and half of using. Still prefer regular ring just like on my 50mm 'Cron, found it both more convenient and quicker..

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I love the tab also.
I have a summicron with tab for sale. It is the latest optical formula but with the tab and a separate hood which is included.
cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[Lance]

Alex: Maybe I can have the tab from your 35. That way we both will be happy... maybe not.

Michiel: Good offer, but I will not part with my perfect new version. I just want to tab it.

There is good and bad in both camps as I see it. Without the tab I find myself not knowing where the focus is and then either looking at the distance scale or turning the focusring all the way to either side to start from there.


... now i'm thinking... is it a tab or a tap?

 

[John Elder]

I have read that Dag will install a tab. Try contacting him.

 

[alexz]

Ilan, as far as I understand, the 35mm ASPH tab is an integral to the lens, it is unlikely to be removed harmlessly and replaced with focusing ring. Besides, the ring would be too narrow for secure gripping for quick shots. I guess I just need to get accustomised to the tab, probably just a matter of getting used to...

As about ring focusing, I do not remember me needing to throw the focus to infinity prior to focusing in order to get to know where it is. The image splitting direction hints quite clearly where to which direction the focusing ring should be turned to get in focus..

 

[Krosya]

I like my current 50mm cron. But I am beginning to think that it would be nice with a tab like the 35mm has for tactile reasons. It would be much easier to focus if I could feel where the lens is at.

I read about some drill in metal tab that some do, but I want concave thingie.

Can I get it? Where can I get it? Can I mount it myself? Why not? 😛 Is the original mounted one glued on or what?

Thanks

I really don't like tabs. Don't know why - every lence I tried with one just doesn't feel right for me. But I still may be ab;e to help you with your tab issue. Well, maybe a little. Instead of drilling/glueing your lens, you could try a largish version of thos plastic ties they use to tie in a bundle computer (or any others) wires together. It can be found at many shops such as Wal-Mart or any kind of home improvement type stores, here in USA it would be Home Depot.
And it costs like $4 for a pack of 10-20. Just wrap it around the barrel of the lens and little plastic lock will function as a tab, well sort of. Just may work - I know several people that did that and it worked for them. Plus you can always take it off if you need to.

 

[payasam]

Krosya has suggested an excellent solution. Another possibility is to attach a tab -- possibly a piece cut from a rubber eraser -- with an adhesive that can be removed without leaving traces.

 

[Lance]

I heard about the plastic tie thing. I would not mind the solution to look good too though. I want it looking like the tab on the 35. Anyone know if it's a spare part that can be ordered from Leica or others?

 

[Krosya]

Well, in that case I think you are better off just getting a tabbed version of the lens - better, possibly cheaper and far more reliable. I really wouldn't want to mess with the focus ring too much anyway.
Just my opinion.

But if you still want to do this - I'd contact DAG - he would know, I think.
Here is his website : http://www.dagcamera.com/

 

[Lance]

I wouldn't want to mess too much either. If there was an adhesive or glue solution, then maybe that would be it. Maybe I should just learn to know when I focus.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I had a similar problem except that I don't like the tab but had a tabbed Cron. I found another member who wanted a tabbed one so we did a swap. 😉

Kim

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have read that Dag will install a tab. Try contacting him.

He does. I had him install the tab on my 50 Summilux pre-asph. I would have liked the position of it to be the same as my 50mm tabbed Summicron (relative to the focusing throw), but it works just fine.

I love the focusing tab. The bump/tab/thingie in the Zeiss models works well, but sometimes you just need that very secure, sure grip on your finger doing the double-feedback. A chacun son goût 😉

 

[rlouzan]

The late Sal DiMarco´s 50mm Summicron-m w/Pin

http://photo.net/bboard-uploads/008X7t-18369784.jpg

Sal,

Happy snaps!

Robert

 

[Vics]

A short story with a long lesson: I bought a Gibson Byrdland Guitar in 1963 for $450. As my musical career evolved, I found I needed a different sound. Instead of buying the instrument that made the sound I wanted, I had a shop modify my (built-in-Gibson's-custom-shop) Byrdland. In original condition, that guitar would be worth $12,000 or more today. As it is, it's worth about what I paid for it. Don't go modifying the lens you have! Buy the one that has what you want!
Vic

 

[Lance]

A short story with a long lesson: I bought a Gibson Byrdland Guitar in 1963 for $450. As my musical career evolved, I found I needed a different sound. Instead of buying the instrument that made the sound I wanted, I had a shop modify my (built-in-Gibson's-custom-shop) Byrdland. In original condition, that guitar would be worth $12,000 or more today. As it is, it's worth about what I paid for it. Don't go modifying the lens you have! Buy the one that has what you want!
Vic

Good point. 'Nough said.