JPH1962 Posted May 12, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear all Just a thing that I dislike on the current 50 Lux Asph I just bought is the focussing tab.. Focussing on my lens is just so smooth that I believe it would be nicer without. I wonder if out there someone got his lens modified and got this focussing tab removed. Any thought? Any experiences? Thanks for your input! rgds JPH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 12, 2011 Posted May 12, 2011 Hi JPH1962, Take a look here Lux 50 Asph without focussing tab?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
01af Posted May 12, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 12, 2011 I am glad it has a focusing tab because focusing with the tab is so much nicer than without. I only wish the Apo-Summicron-M 75 Asph also had such a tab. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 12, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 12, 2011 Wouldn't be without it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 12, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 12, 2011 Hi Ergonomics are important, either trade the lux for ZM sonnar trade the lux for Nikon rfdr f/1.4 & M adapter trade the lux for pre asph lux trade the lux for a CV f/1.5 alter your grip on lens have surgery use cold chisel get a repair person to remove. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH1962 Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted May 12, 2011 Thanks so far for the input! As Noel said, ergonimics are really important - I want the lens to be a no-brainer extension when using it... trade the lux for ZM sonnar -> No, I want this lens and its character trade the lux for Nikon rfdr f/1.4 & M adapter -> as above trade the lux for pre asph lux -> I have it trade the lux for a CV f/1.5 -> I have it too alter your grip on lens -> Thought about this, but I like to be able to return to the original state... have surgery -> as above :-) use cold chisel -> as above get a repair person to remove. -> CS would modify it, checked already. Well - I will try to get used to it, but it does not feel right for the moment... Well I'll post the outcome! rgds JPH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 12, 2011 I agree with you JPH, the focusing on my recent Summilux is so silky smooth (almost like my well used 50mm Summicron) that the tab gets in the way and works against quick and accurate focus (if I use it). I'm trying to grab the focus ring first time every time but sometimes naturally the tab is in the wrong damned place. But until this thread I've almost forgotten about it, it's not going to stop me using the lens, and I think you may forget about it also if you just use it enough. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
horosu Posted May 12, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) JPH, I was in a similar predicament as you: I loved the ASPH but hated the focusing tab. I waited until I found a used one from the MP3 set. Just beautiful and so much more ergonomic (IMHO) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted May 12, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 12, 2011 I am glad it has a focusing tab because focusing with the tab is so much nicer than without. I only wish the Apo-Summicron-M 75 Asph also had such a tab. Me too, the tabs are very nice to get hold of, and even more useful if they lock at infinity they provide a good grip for removing the lens. I fitted the optional little lever to my Voigtlnder 28 /1.9 for this reason, although it doesn't lock unfortunately. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 12, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 12, 2011 These smoothly focussing lenses with tabs allow one to focus with the left index finger, providing a more ergonomical grip on the camera. I always use it that way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 12, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 12, 2011 In general, I like focusing tabs. However, my Summilux 50 asph still has a very tight focus turn (not silky smooth like some other lenses), making fine adjustments with the tab more difficult than turning the ring. I've sent the lens to Leica service, but they admit that many are just the same as mine due to tight tolerances with the floating element, and that further loosening is not possible without creating other problems. I really don't mind much, though, as this continues to be one of my favorite lenses. And maybe it will loosen over time, making the tab focus on this lens a bit more enjoyable. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 12, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 12, 2011 It will loosen up. Mine was quite tight when new and smoothed up considerably with use over the last two years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 12, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 12, 2011 It will loosen up. Mine was quite tight when new and smoothed up considerably with use over the last two years. But I got mine before yours, and in fact recommended it to you and others at the time. Leica did say some loosen up, some not. I admit that, although I love the lens and use it frequently, the 28 Summicron asph sees much more frequent use on my M8.2 based on my shooting style. So, unless I get an M9 and use it more, it might be a while before I find out if it loosens. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 12, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 12, 2011 There shouldn't be differences between lenses in this class, but it appears it is unavoidable. Of course, once you know how the smoothness of the focussing is implemented by Leica it becomes clear. There is a group of three or four ladies, who have boxes of lens mount parts and will select and fit the focussing rings etc together, judging the smoothness and tightness by hand and experience. So if yours was done by a stern and strong lady, mine may well have been done by a petite and gentle one.... Note - this is not a joke, but fact! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 12, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 12, 2011 I don't doubt it, Jaap. I sent mine to Leica NJ, however, and I think the ladies have been replaced by men, and we know men don't do things as well. (Yes, I know the lenses come from Solms.) I did actually speak by phone with the technician who worked on my lens, just to better understand what he did to try to fix it, and to learn about possible distinctions between lenses. I even asked him about potential differences between silver and black versions (mine is black). He said the the black and silver versions were done on different lines and could in fact show differences. And, even with lenses done on the same line, presumably by the same people, tolerances are so tight (he cited the fractions of a mm that I can't recall), that focus tension sometimes varied, even when tolerances seem equal. I appreciated that he admitted to not fully understanding why, despite his training and broad experience with these issues, rather than making up some tale. Jeff PS I remember your ladies ...see post #20 and #23. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted May 13, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 13, 2011 I have the chrome 50 Lux. I have found that if I return the focus to ∞ each time I put the camera down, and then use the index finger of my left hand on the tab, and thumb on the gnurled top of the focusing ring, focusing down to closer distances is easy. However, pushing away with my index finger (ie, back towards ∞) is harder - the thumb on top helps a lot in that direction. It's not that my lens is not smooth, there's just more resistance in that direction. I've resigned myself to this with this lens. I'd quite like a tab on the 21 Lux as well. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 13, 2011 Share #16 Posted May 13, 2011 Mine felt initially a little firm and I managed to loosen it by abusing it with a few thousand full cycle operations while watching TV. Fast forward 2 years and it developed unacceptable play in the movement. The Customer Service Division Head and one of his technicians both operated it for a few seconds each and immediately said that it must be fixed. They did and for free and it is now still perfect nearly two years later. Incidentally there were three men on lens twiddling duty the day Jaap, some other members and I watched them in action. I delivered a smart salute from outside their window and was rewarded with a grin. Sadly I was not allowed to photograph them or any part of the assembly area. We were allowed to take photos on the earlier Forum tour though at Customer Service. Here is a twiddle in action. Leica technician Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 13, 2011 Share #17 Posted May 13, 2011 I was in a similar predicament as you: I loved the ASPH but hated the focusing tab. I waited until I found a used one from the MP3 set. Just beautiful and so much more ergonomic (IMHO) This is the solution to the OP's question. I also have this LHSA lens and agree with Horea; much better ergonomics. The only issue is that Leica copied the Summilux v.1 right down to the 43mm 0.5mm thread pitch filter size. Below are silver and black copies on the right with a v.2 pre-ASPH Summilux. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/151542-lux-50-asph-without-focussing-tab/?do=findComment&comment=1671521'>More sharing options...
4X5B&W Posted May 13, 2011 Share #18 Posted May 13, 2011 This is the solution to the OP's question. I also have this LHSA lens and agree with Horea; much better ergonomics. The only issue is that Leica copied the Summilux v.1 right down to the 43mm 0.5mm thread pitch filter size. Below are silver and black copies on the right with a v.2 pre-ASPH Summilux. Nice Peter, I have a chrome copy myself, has to be the best of the best.......classic design with the best optics from today's technology. BTW, the LHSA Summilux sells for outrageous prices these days, seeing as they were a limited edition lens I guess that plays into the cost as well Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/151542-lux-50-asph-without-focussing-tab/?do=findComment&comment=1671741'>More sharing options...
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