35's with round focusing rings?

[jmooney]

I posted this in the M section too but I'm reposting over here to see if Tom can offer some advice too:

I'm looking at Leica branded 35's and I'm trying to see if there are any that have a rounded focusing ring (ala' the 50 DR 'cron) without finger tabs/knobs/nubs/nodules etc.

I have arthritic finger issues that make the nubs and tabs tough to use but can use a large ring with an issue.


Take care,

Jim

[Disaster_Area]

I don't know about Leicas... the older 35mm Summaron might not have a tab. I know my 35mm CV Ultron doesn't... it's a dream to focus, I too hate focusing tabs. The Canon 35mm f2 doesn't have a tab either.

The newer 35mm Biogon is also tabless

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Jim,

The usual RFF 'I'm not answering your question but...'

The Ultron really is a very good lens. Better than my 35 pre-aspheric Summilux. But I prefer the Summilux because of the tab. Sorry to hear about the arthritis!

Cheers,

R.

[Tom A]

All of the 35 Summicrons have tabs of one kind or other. On the early f2's and the Summaron they are combined with the "Infernal" infinity lock.
However, all is not lost. Any good technician can remove the "tab" on a III/IV Summicron 35. As a matter of fact - a hard knock on it will do it (speaking from experience here).
The Ultron 35f1.7 does not have a "focussing tab" - the Zeiss 35f2 and 2.8 has the small bump on the ring.
Personally I prefer focussing tabs - but to each his own and I can see that arthritic fingers can cause problems.
If you find a Version III Summicron 35 and have the tab removed - just keep the tab stored somewhere and it can be remounted if you are selling the lens.

[jmooney]

Originally Posted by Tom A

All of the 35 Summicrons have tabs of one kind or other. On the early f2's and the Summaron they are combined with the "Infernal" infinity lock.
However, all is not lost. Any good technician can remove the "tab" on a III/IV Summicron 35. As a matter of fact - a hard knock on it will do it (speaking from experience here).
The Ultron 35f1.7 does not have a "focussing tab" - the Zeiss 35f2 and 2.8 has the small bump on the ring.
Personally I prefer focussing tabs - but to each his own and I can see that arthritic fingers can cause problems.
If you find a Version III Summicron 35 and have the tab removed - just keep the tab stored somewhere and it can be remounted if you are selling the lens.

Thanks Tom....that was going to be my next question: can you remove the tabs.

What about the infinity locks? can they be removed?

Jim

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You can't remove the tab from lenses with infinity locks cause the tab is metal and is part of the focusing ring....its all one piece of metal! You can unscrew the locking part and ditch the infinity lock but you'll still have the knob.

I have a Version IV Summicron. You wouldn't want it without its tab as the focusing ring is VERY SMALL and has no gripping surface. If I had the arthritis problem you do, I'd go for the one of the Zeiss Biogons or the Ultron or the old Canons that have been recommended.