Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

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I’m a convert. After using my new Tri Elmar for a week or so, I have come to appreciate and actually prefer the focusing tab and wish that my other lenses (50 ‘cron and soon to arrive 90 Elmarit) had one too. During the R series chat didn’t Leica mention that they plan to have a chat forum every quarter or so? If and when they schedule a chat for the M series, why don’t we propose that Leica drill and tap the focus ring of ALL lenses so that if someone wanted to add a tab to a 90 Elmarit or other lens, it would be a simple matter to buy the tab from Leica and screw it on. Those that like tabs could have one and those that don’t, don’t have to have one. Do you see any reason why this would not work?

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), April 09, 2001

Answers

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

The only reason it might not work is that some of the lenses have significantly larger diameter focus rings, and the radius on the inside of the tab may not fit the ring properly. But hey, I still like the idea as I love the focus tab too!

Regards,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 09, 2001.


Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

Open drilled & tapped holes migh be viewed as a source of grit, grime, and maintenance problems until the "optional" tab was mounted.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), April 09, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

Leica could make different radius tabs for different size focus rings. Regarding the empty screw holes, why not just fill the holes with flush mounted screws or slightly counter sink the screws?

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), April 09, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

I think the best solution would be if Leica offered focus tabs as an in-house upgrade, similar to having older R lenses fitted with ROM strips (that don't do a heck of a lot). That way anyone who wants the tabs can have Leica drill and tap and screw at their expense. My 35's are the only lenses I own with the tabs and I know that if the focus rings were wider and ribbed, I'd gladly pay to have the tabs removed.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 09, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

The problem with a post sale Leica upgrade, is that it might detract from the resale value. Also, an after the sale upgrade from Leica would no doubt cost a small fortune where as if all lenses came with the option built in, it would neither detract from the value of the lens nor increase the original cost much when done as SOP during the manufacturing process. Keep the feedback coming. I wonder how the majority of Leica owners would feel about this?

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), April 09, 2001.


Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

I liked the tab on my 35 cron and wished my 50 had one. So I took a plastic cable binder (is that how you call it in English? It is meant to tie a bunch of cables tightly together with a mechanism sort like a handcuff's). I found a black one, soft plastic, nice feel. Chopped off the lose end - and now have what I needed for 5 cents. Next I made a daisy chain out of 6 of them for my 75. Nice grip on the focus in every position. Might put some pix on the net to give you a better impression, if wanted. Cheers.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), April 10, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

With Lutz on the case will it be long before we see an add-on for tabless lenses? Looking forward to what you can come up with Lutz.

-- Jim Shields (jim.shields@tasis.ch), April 10, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

The "cable binders" are actually called "cable tie's". Not only are they like handcuffs, two of them hooked together are used as handcuffs when arresting people at demonstrations and the like.

Eventhough I've only been using a Leica for several weeks, I like the focusing tab as it keeps my hand out of the viewfinder.

Dave

-- Dave Blackburn (davidb@latticesemi.com), April 10, 2001.


Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

OK Lutz, I just cinched a black cable tie around the focusing ring of my 50mm 'cron. I put the 'nut' at about the same infinity position as the 35mm 'cron. I'll shoot a few rolls and report back...

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), April 10, 2001.

Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

Jim, this one is "on the house". ;o)

Enjoy, Lutzm

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), April 11, 2001.



Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

O.k. - this is a test. (Never tried to post a pic here before...) As I promised I would like you to show what the cable-tie-focus-tab (1) looks like on my M6:

Please inquire about an explanation of all the other accessories - and a back view...;o)

Cheers,

Lutz

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), May 01, 2001.


Response to Focus Tab – Suggestion for Leica

Lutz: I had thought of the cable tie trick myself but was never brave enough to actually try it ...! Congratulations. And , please, yes: show us what more inventions you have thought of in order to improve your Leica. I saw some items that I felt interesting. Explanations will be most welcome.. Thanks in advance, Lutz.

Ivan

-- Ivan Barrientos (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), May 06, 2001.


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