Pindy Posted November 13, 2009 Share #1  Posted November 13, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm borrowing an M6 TTL and Summilux 35mm ASPH.  I realise all of you are sniggering at this question, as though the focusing tab is most natural thing in the world. It's not to me, as it seems like it's in the wrong place on the ring. Are you supposed to pinch both sides and move it that way? Or are you supposed to make use of the scalloped middle part? Either way, my hand doesn't naturally fall onto it so I figured there was a bit of technique involved.  Seriously—what the hell? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Hi Pindy, Take a look here Focusing Tab: how to use it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
redbaron Posted November 13, 2009 Share #2 Â Posted November 13, 2009 Pindy, welcome and good on ya for asking. Download the instructions for the MP and all will be revealed. Just don't expect to give the camera back after about 5 rolls! Â Leica Camera AG - Downloads Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pindy Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share #3 Â Posted November 13, 2009 Well, according to the M9 manual, it's officially called the Finger Grip. More than that I was unable to find in the MP, M7 and M9 manuals as well as a few of the Summilux PDFs. There certainly was a diagramme of a woman holding the M "correctly" but nothing on the grip. I take it it's provided for precision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 13, 2009 Share #4  Posted November 13, 2009 Cradle the camera in your left hand on your palm and middle to little fingers  Use your left forefinger in the indentation to focus the lens. Keep the lens set at infinity when you are not using it, then you will only have to focus in one direction.  The lens shown in the MP instruction book doesn't have a focussing tab.  I didn't like it when I first bought a lens with one, but now I miss it on lenses that don't have one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
holgerf Posted November 13, 2009 Share #5  Posted November 13, 2009 Cradle the camera in your left hand on your palm and middle to little fingers Use your left forefinger in the indentation to focus the lens. Keep the lens set at infinity when you are not using it, then you will only have to focus in one direction.  The lens shown in the MP instruction book doesn't have a focussing tab.  I didn't like it when I first bought a lens with one, but now I miss it on lenses that don't have one.  Well said - same to me.  Best Holger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted November 13, 2009 Share #6 Â Posted November 13, 2009 It's a really useful feature to have on lenses, primarily because you can learn the lens focus distance setting from it and quickly adjust to that distance and in-between settings. Â On most lenses, but I've found not all, when the tab is at the bottom position, i.e. 6 o'clock, the lens will be set at 4 feet. That's true for each of my tab lenses. So, whilst I normally revert the lens to infinity after each shot, if I approach a close encounter, I'll move the tab without looking to 4 feet and I'm in the vicinity of focus I need. I can then estimate my distance from the subject and shoot without the need to focus, or indeed use the VF at all. Â With a little practice, one can always learn, and quickly refresh, the in-between positions, so 6 feet might be at the twenty past, ten feet at the quarter past etc. Â Very useful for street photography. Â Enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 13, 2009 Share #7  Posted November 13, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) It's a really useful feature to have on lenses, primarily because you can learn the lens focus distance setting from it and quickly adjust to that distance and in-between settings. On most lenses, but I've found not all, when the tab is at the bottom position, i.e. 6 o'clock, the lens will be set at 4 feet. That's true for each of my tab lenses. So, whilst I normally revert the lens to infinity after each shot, if I approach a close encounter, I'll move the tab without looking to 4 feet and I'm in the vicinity of focus I need. I can then estimate my distance from the subject and shoot without the need to focus, or indeed use the VF at all.  With a little practice, one can always learn, and quickly refresh, the in-between positions, so 6 feet might be at the twenty past, ten feet at the quarter past etc.  Very useful for street photography.  Enjoy.  You took the words right out of my mouth. That's exactly what I do with the 5cm Elmar on my II. I often find myself subconsciously adjusting the focus by feel as I walk along when I am right "in the zone".  Regards,  Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted November 13, 2009 Share #8 Â Posted November 13, 2009 And the ball of your thumb plays rollsies on the f/stop. Tabs are left off lenses with large throws. Untabbed lense .... s are not much fun by comparison. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
moikle Posted November 13, 2009 Share #9 Â Posted November 13, 2009 Â I didn't like it when I first bought a lens with one, but now I miss it on lenses that don't have one. Â What he said. Â Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pindy Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share #10 Â Posted November 13, 2009 I just gained more insight. Another "by feel" aspect to Leica photography I hadn't considered. Excellent replies! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 13, 2009 Share #11 Â Posted November 13, 2009 All part of the service. Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauribix Posted November 13, 2009 Share #12 Â Posted November 13, 2009 You go figure... Still I didn't buy the new Nocti 0.95 just because it doesn't have that finger cradle. :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted November 19, 2009 Share #13 Â Posted November 19, 2009 would like to try the Steer focus ring aide--does anyone know if LeicaGoodies is still in business? I have not had my emails returned. Has anyone attached it without adhesive? Â I just ignore the focus tab; it does not get in the way. I've read that some have had it removed; others have added it. Some will use a plastic "tie-down" strap in place of it. I really like the scalloped rings, but I don't like the old-style small ring with an infinity lock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pindy Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share #14 Â Posted November 19, 2009 You go figure...Still I didn't buy the new Nocti 0.95 just because it doesn't have that finger cradle. :D Â I can think of ten thousand other reasons Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pindy Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share #15 Â Posted November 19, 2009 A few weeks in, I have a good feel for it. I tend to have my index finger inside and thumb on whichever outside point necessary, so that I'm just pinching either of the 2 points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheewai_m6 Posted November 19, 2009 Share #16 Â Posted November 19, 2009 A few weeks in, I have a good feel for it. I tend to have my index finger inside and thumb on whichever outside point necessary, so that I'm just pinching either of the 2 points. Â there's no rule to how to use it. it's there to be used the way you feel comfortable. Â Â I didn't like it when I first bought a lens with one, but now I miss it on lenses that don't have one. Â what he said also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 20, 2009 Share #17  Posted November 20, 2009 It's a really useful feature to have on lenses, primarily because you can learn the lens focus distance setting from it and quickly adjust to that distance and in-between settings. On most lenses, but I've found not all, when the tab is at the bottom position, i.e. 6 o'clock, the lens will be set at 4 feet. That's true for each of my tab lenses. So, whilst I normally revert the lens to infinity after each shot, if I approach a close encounter, I'll move the tab without looking to 4 feet and I'm in the vicinity of focus I need. I can then estimate my distance from the subject and shoot without the need to focus, or indeed use the VF at all.  With a little practice, one can always learn, and quickly refresh, the in-between positions, so 6 feet might be at the twenty past, ten feet at the quarter past etc.  Very useful for street photography.  Enjoy.  Rolo  Sond advice I know is echoed by brett aso. How does one manage with the 75mm cron though? Much longer 'throw' and no tab! Suggestions welcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted November 20, 2009 Share #18 Â Posted November 20, 2009 Leica lenses with fat and deep focusing rings, like the .95 Nocti I had a chance to try a couple of days ago, do not have tabs. Most of these have too much friction in their helicals anyway to focus comfortably with a tab. You need your thumb too. There is also the matter of the long focusing throw of lenses like the 75mm Summilux and, yes, the Nocti. You will often have to change your grip on these lenses when you focus them close-up. Â I agree that lenses on standby should be set to infinity, maybe because I introduced that trick in this here forum. (Some people did already know that, of course.) Â The old man from the Age of the Collapsible Summicron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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