Does anybody know which 50mm lenses have focusing tabs (other than the collapsibles)? Did the summarit, for example? I know that the penultimate summicron has a tab - but these seem to be scarce and very expensive (at least here in UK). I don't necessarily need state of the art performance (I've got some asph lenses already for that). Any thoughts?

-- steve (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), January 01, 2002

Answers

My 50 cron has a focus tab and is not collapsible. it is the most recent version of the 50 cron before the latest with the built in lens hood. it has the same optical formula as the new one (as do some previous to it) i like this more then the new one because of the tab, and because the hood is solid, reversible and actually provides some protection...

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), January 01, 2002.

I spent a half a year looking for a penultimate 'cron and finally found a mint one. Costed me less than half the price of today's model. All you have to do is mail or phone or whatever 2-3-4 reliable second-hand dealers (mine are all here in Leicaland) and tell them what you're looking for. E.g. I wanted mine in black and from the latest production version (of all penultimate 'crons) namely with an S/N of 326 1401 or later. I.e. 1981-1994. These have a concave tab, whereas those with earlier S/Ns have convex tabs. I had had a current model which I traded in on a current '35 cron. The simple reason -- apart from the fact that I guess I like 35 more than 50 -- is that I don't like the current '50 cron because it just doesn't have that tab (like my current 35 'cron and current 21). But that's my own problem. I also like my new (latest pen) 50 'con better than today's model because I like my latest pen 50 'cron's hood better than today's model's.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), January 01, 2002.

"I also like my new (latest pen) 50 'con better than today's model because I like my latest pen 50 'cron's hood better than today's model's."

Me too, because I like my latest pen 50 'cron's hood's slots' shape better than today's model's hood's slots' shape (because today's model's hood has no slots, hence no today's model's hood's slots' shape).

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), January 01, 2002.

The Leica screw mount 50mm Zeiss Sonnars have a tab on them.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), January 01, 2002.

50mm 3.5 and 2.8 Elmars have infinity-locking buttons that are easily moved with the index finger. So do the 50mm Summar and Summitar, and the collapsible and "rigid" Summicrons. (But that doesn't include the D.R. Summicron or 1969-79 model.) I can't remember for sure, but I think the Summarit did, too.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 01, 2002.

am i the only one who doesn't like focussing tabs? if it would be an addition to a regular focus ring i would accept it, but i hate to be forced to grab the lens at a preset spot.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), January 01, 2002.

The advice above to contact a few used Leica dealer and wait is a good one. People don't part with their tabbed Summicrons if using the tab has become part of their shooting style-especially if the Summicron is the latest optical version (penultimate mechanical version.)

I can't imagine shooting without those tabs. The index finger stays on the tab, and flexing the joints focuses. Its almost as fast as autofocus.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), January 01, 2002.

Stefan: I agree completely with you. I don't like focus tabs *at all*. The problem I have with them is they are horrible to use when the camera is turned for a vertical shot. I sold my tabbed 50/2 the moment the current version became available. I still have a pre-tab version from about 1973, and on both of these lenses I can focus by simply running my left index finger right or left along the underside of the focusing ring; the ring moves easily and there's enough friction from the serrations. The add-on hood on the tabbed version sheilds the lens better especially when a filter is mounted, that much I'll say in its favor. My '73 version is tab-less but has the add-on hood and I like it very much.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 01, 2002.

>>>My '73 version is tab-less but has the add-on hood and I like it very much. <<< This version of the summicron is the third version #11817. Leica for some reason seems to have alternated tab and tables summicrons the second version rigid chrome summicron had a locking focus tab #11818 but the dual range of the same vintage #11918 did not have a tab. The #11819 4th version had a tab and the current version with the sliding hood #11826 does not have a tab. I used the tabless #11817 since 1974 when I got rid of a chrome rigid model that I always regretted selling. It is in at Golden Touch getting cleaned etc. I have the tab version now and may eventually get rid of the #11817 version. There has been a lot written back and forth bu Irwin Puts and a couple of other guys about which was their favorite and best version but I think they are all good with the tabbed and current versions being the best yet. Cheers!

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), January 01, 2002.

I can adapt to either style--and have both. I think, though, that since the wideangle lenses generally are tabbed, tabs become a way of life with the Leica, so that it is not unreasonable to have one on the 50 as well. One's habits can thus be more consistent from lens to lens. One advantage is that you can't confuse the aperture and ring focusing rings when you have the tab model, because there's no focus ring. As to optical quality, I'm currently having a great time exploring a recently aquired DR Summicron. It's cutting very sharp images! I'm also partial to the 1969-79 version. I find the focusing action very light and smooth, and it leaves nothing to be desired for image quality.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 01, 2002.

Bob, thanx for the last answer (yup, there may be more to come). Best response anybody has ever given to the tab stories.

Stefan, I don't hate having to be forced to grab the lens at a preset spot, I love being allowed to do same.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), January 02, 2002.

My 50mm f/1.8 Serenar has both a tab and a focus ring, with an infinity lock, and a cool blue coating. It does pretty well for a 50 year old lens (since you don't need state of the art performance), and should be easy to find for less than $150. I don't suppose that helps you a lot, though.

-- John Morris (jtmorris@slb.com), January 02, 2002.