"trigger Softener"

asianhombre

asianhombre

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Jan 15, 2009
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I saw some "trigger softeners" for sale on eBay, which apparently screw into the shutter release button like a bulb attachment. Just as a sort of cover, lile those plastic covers you put in unused lightsockets to avoid shocking accidents...anyone use one of these? Not that I think it's totally necessary, but I never really thought about it either.
 
Why would anybody want to cover the release button? I suspect they're a vaiation of the so-called "soft release". That's an over-sized thingie that's supposed to make it easier to gently squeeze off your shot. I wouldn't waste my money on one. Others swear by them.
 
I have used them in the past, and lost them too. They do work, kind of. I never did feel that they made a difference in the "softness" of the shutter release, but it did make it feel, diferent. Were they ever a worth while investment? Well for me no, but if you have a big finger you may like one.
 
If you are talking about soft releases, they work for me and my big fat fingers but YMMV. The only way to find out is to try one.

Bob
 
I quite like the soft-release, again it's the fingers. With a soft release I get motion free exposures at 1/8 easily, 1/4 if I'm really un-caffeinated, without one I'm good to 1/15 at very best, 1/30 reliably. I can hold the camera with the tip of my index finger on the shutter speed dial and squeeze the release rather than having to press it. Works for me.
 
The soft releases are not just for those with large hands/fingers - instead of my finger curled over for the end to press down on the shutter (bessa r3m) my finger sits relaxed over the top of the shutter with the soft-release at about the first joint. Very comfortable.
 
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You just need to practice the finger movement to get steady releases. Arch your finger so you're pushing straight down with the tip. Practice moving the tip up and down without moving the rest of your hand. You don't even need a camera to practice. Do it on the steering wheel at red lights, drive people crazy by clicking a ball point pen, just make sure than no muscles other than in your index finger are moving.

Another consideration is all the film you waste by bumping into the button and photographing whatever. But then you just might be hailed as one of the greatest "street shooters" of all time.
 
One or two of my cameras have them on, - simply because I can turn one ( stainless steel ) in ten minutes, on my lathe. I don't think I would spend about $15 ?, on some of the cheap pressed alluminum ones on offer.
Dave.
 
Al Kaplan said:
But then you just might be hailed as one of the greatest "street shooters" of all time.
Click to expand...

He he!

I do use a soft release, but only with a motor. Don't know why, but I love the feel of a standard Leica - without winder - sans Softie, and I love the feel of an M7 with a motor and a Softie.

A Softie on a camera without a winder just feels completely wrong.

Cheers, Paul.
 
If you are constantly tripping the shutter accidentally with a soft release in place your style of shooting doesn't go with the soft release. I never advance to the next frame until I intend to shoot and I never put a camera back in the bag with the shutter cocked. Can't recall any accidental releases with a soft release in place.

Bob
 
if you have a camera with a really swampy release, a soft release can be really nice. I thought all M's were alike until I got someone's time capsule M3 and the release on that is crisper than any of my other bodies with a soft release, so I think the usefulness of a softie really has a lot to do with the integrity of the release on your camera in the first place. I have one M that I cant hand hold at a 60th...
 
I have softies on all my cameras. Like Nikon Bob, I never had an issue with accidentally releasing the shutter. I'm not sure if a softie will actually give me an extra stop but I find it more comfortable releasing the shutter using with a softie. When it comes right down to it, I just like big, colourful buttons. I'm looking forward to the Special Edition, Mr. B softie. :)
 
I just bought one. A red one. Curiosity really. Thought that at least it might brighten up the camera a bit.
Cost me fifteen quid !!
When it came it looked like an expensive tack pin. I thought " you idiot" but was suprised , it does feel nice to use. Don`t know if will make any qualitive difference as some claim though. Maybe not.
 
The story goes that before Henri Cartier-Bresson learned that stealthiness could help his carreer, he use a "hardie". The first verson was made from the tip of a cut-off nail, threaded and screwed into the shutter button. Upon firing the shutter, his candid subjects were alarmed by his, "OUI! OUI!", and he soon realized there would not be a version two of the hardie.
 
I love soft releases. Feel very comfortable to me, but it is clearly a personal choice. Relatively inexpensive so worth a try.
 
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