byroncheung Posted February 7, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 7, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I own 3 lenses: 35mm lux asph, 50mm lux non-asph and 75mm lux. Only the 35mm is tabbed and I like the tab a lot, just a lot easier to know instantly approximately where the lens is focused to as soon as you pick the camera up, and helps me to focus faster. What are the options or people experience in tabbing the lenses themselves? I googled a bit there seems to be a few options. But it wasn't a lot of information. Wonder why this isn't more common, tabs are nice aren't they? Byron Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Hi byroncheung, Take a look here adding focus tab DIY?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
suey11 Posted February 7, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 7, 2014 If it's of any help I have seen on one of the fuji forums a 3d printed focus tab for the excellent Fuji X100S looked a bit crude but some of the users loved it, could possibly be something to explore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterbengtson Posted February 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 8, 2014 someone on this forum did it about a year ago and posted a DIY tutorial. search for the post Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSo Posted February 8, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 8, 2014 try "heavy star" tabs on e-bay Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted February 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 8, 2014 What are the options or people experience in tabbing the lenses themselves? I've seen all sorts of DIY attempts on various lens, including using this material: Photography - the future needs fixing - sugru There's also the 'Steer' that some people seem to like: www.leicagoodies.com Both of the above are removable (although the Sugru requires cutting away after its hardened; I've used it for various projects but not as a lens tab.) But personally I'd just have a Leica tech install a focusing tab. It will be professional looking and fully functional like any of the tabbed factory Leica lenses. Plus it won't risk impacting the value of the lens like a DIY attempt might do; it will more than likely even add value. DAG (Don Goldberg in the US) can do it. He used to charge 70 USD for the job. That was about 7 years ago but I imagine it's still probably under or maybe right at 100 USD now. Anyway, try contacting a good Leica tech and ask about getting it done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted February 11, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 11, 2014 I have done two different types: Here is a Summicron 50mm and here a Summicron 40mm 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matlep Posted February 11, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) You can buy focus tabs from DAG and glue it on the lens. Easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted February 11, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 11, 2014 I recommend this. https://sugru.com (I have no connection with them, but I've used it for several things and it's brilliant, in that it really does what it says it does.) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 11, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 11, 2014 (edited) If you're not worried by looks, try a plastic cable tie. Wrap it round the focus ring, pull tight and cut off the excess. Use the small square-ish piece as the tab. No plastic surgery on your lens either! Edited February 11, 2014 by LocalHero1953 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bideford Posted February 11, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 11, 2014 If you're not worried by looks, try a plastic cable tie. Wrap it round the focus ring, pull tight and cut off the excess. Use the small square-ish piece as the tab. No plastic surgery on your lens either! + 1 James 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted February 11, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 11, 2014 I recommend this. https://sugru.com (I have no connection with them, but I've used it for several things and it's brilliant, in that it really does what it says it does.) Thanks for posting! Looks very good for DIY projects 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
run23 Posted February 21, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 21, 2014 Heavy Star focus tab, use 3M automotive tape to stick on. It works PERFECTLY. And, if you wanted to take it off it leaves zero trace. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2014 Share #13 Posted February 22, 2014 Heavy Star focus tab, use 3M automotive tape to stick on. It works PERFECTLY. And, if you wanted to take it off it leaves zero trace. Don't bet on that! Selling my M9 after having had my thumby-like-artcle-of-undisclosed-source removed by a reputable Feinmechaniker led to an additional loss, due to the paint damage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
humerc Posted February 22, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 22, 2014 I went to my Leica Dealer and ordered an original Tab from Leica. It comes with 2 little screws. I placed it with double sided tape on an Summicron 50 (latest Version) it looks nearly original (from the two small sides you can see the white tape, i think its not available in black) and works since a few months without a problem. And the best: Leica sent the tab for free!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 22, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) Posted a bit earlier. The lens has a tab but the ring gear lets you focus without the tab. Good for injured hands. I have these on all my lenses. Edited February 22, 2014 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
run23 Posted February 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted February 23, 2014 Don't bet on that!Selling my M9 after having had my thumby-like-artcle-of-undisclosed-source removed by a reputable Feinmechaniker led to an additional loss, due to the paint damage. Trust me, the 3m double sided auto tape leaves no trace or sticky stuff and doesn't take off the paint. I just took one off a summicron that was on for a year (selling the lens). I feel your pain on the loss -- my screen protector cracked and when I tried to take it off I ended up peeling off the back LCD of the M9. I basically glued another screen protector on and it looks like crap. Oh well, I'm not planning to sell the camera anyway. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrisRose Posted February 24, 2014 Share #17 Posted February 24, 2014 I think I could probably design some focus tabs that didn't need gluing on, if someone wanted to PM me to provide measurements and test it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tri-Elmarit Posted February 26, 2014 Share #18 Posted February 26, 2014 Posted a bit earlier.The lens has a tab but the ring gear lets you focus without the tab. Good for injured hands. http://www.digoliardi.net/steer_35mm_2.jpg I have these on all my lenses. Where can I get ring like that ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 26, 2014 Share #19 Posted February 26, 2014 Where can I get ring like that ? This one came from a model car store. It was a drive gear which I bored out to fit, then cut to clear the focusing tab. Sent from my Etcha-sketch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplynate Posted April 7, 2015 Share #20 Posted April 7, 2015 Sorry for resurrecting this old post. But there is a new lens focus tab product that may be beneficial. Check out lenstab.com 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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