Jump to content

Focussing aid for "stiff" lenses?


rdash

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have rather foolishly shattered my left wrist. As a result of surgery etc it does not work very well. I am as a result having considerable difficulty focussing my 24/1.4 and Noctilux. Is there any kind of handle or knob which can be attached to the focussing ring to give me a bit more purchase on the thing? I do not want to install anything permanent as I hope this is a problem which will disappear in time.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Robert

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have rather foolishly shattered my left wrist. As a result of surgery etc it does not work very well. I am as a result having considerable difficulty focussing my 24/1.4 and Noctilux. Is there any kind of handle or knob which can be attached to the focussing ring to give me a bit more purchase on the thing? I do not want to install anything permanent as I hope this is a problem which will disappear in time.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Robert

 

Check out www.leicagoodies.com and their product "Steer". It might make it easier. Haven´t tried it myself though.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The steer works well - I used this with my CV 35/1.2 in the past. It looks a bit funky but does make using stiff non-tabbed lenses much easier. It holds on via elastic tension and some double sided tape. You can easily remove it later when you want without any signs that it was on there.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I made a focusing tab (like that found on the 35mm Asph etc) for my CV 75mm and stuck it on with double sided tape. Works great and it can be removed if necessary. The tab was carved and sanded from polystyrene sheet (laminating a few sheets together), and the tape is the stickiest tape known to man, carpet tape.

 

Steve

Link to post
Share on other sites

Btw, another approach is to talk to one of the specialist Leica repair folks and see if they can fit a real Leica focus tab to your lenses.

 

I've certainly heard of at least one person here getting this done by Don Goldberg (DAG) in the US. In the UK you could have a chat with Malcolm Taylor who I believe is a similarly 'talented' Leica repair specialist.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Robert, I use the Steer on my Noctilux and I don't have a problem wrist. I consider the Noct 'useless' without the Steer. I highly recommend it as a permanent addition to the Noct. The price is very affordable and I would buy two while you are at it. Not familira with the the 24/1.4. I guess it does not have a focussing tab. In which case, put the second Steer on it.

 

The Noct actually becomes fast to focus with the Steer.

 

I have no affiliation with Leica Goodies by the way.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Another lo-tech solution that I've heard of but haven't personally tried is to use a simple cable tie and tighten it around the lens & clip off the excess so that just the end nub is left on the lens barrel. It provides something for you to push/pull against without necessarily being as large and intrusive into the viewfinder view as the 'Steer'.

 

As mentioned though, the 'Steer' works very well and it's useful having multiple ridges to grip against to turn the lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

+1 for erl's recommendation. i have a steer on the noctilux and 75mm summilux. they add quite a bit of "grip" without adding significantly to the bulk of the lens.

 

greetings from hamburg

 

rick

Link to post
Share on other sites

Many thanks for the suggestions. I will order a couple of STEERS and a KNOB which looks like an alternative to a Thumbs Up but will allow me to use a flash. I wasn't aware of Leicagoodies but I certainly am now. Thanks again!

Robert

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...