Cable Release

[JeremyLangford]

I am planning to start using the Minolta Autocord that I'm borrowing and I think I'd like to get a cable release to make self portraits possible. Is it going to matter which one I get? Should it work on all of my cameras? I was thinking about getting this one just because it was the longest one I could find of eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/XTRA-LONG-Remote-Cable-SHUTTER-RELEASE-39-100cm-NEW_W0QQitemZ360215351971QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Cables_Cords?hash=item53de8212a3#ht_726wt_1167

 

[payasam]

The long, pneumatic type of release can be used for self-portraits.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Does the Autocord have a self timer? If not, you might look into one of the little self-timer units that screw into the cable release threads. I have an old one made by Canon, and I've seen similar devices sold new now under names like Hama and Kalt. The Canon one I have is much nicer looking though, and fairly common used (its from the 60s I think).

 

[JeremyLangford]

The autocord I have has no self timer. I just ordered the cable release that I linked.

 

[BillBingham2]

If you scrounge around in old junk bins you might find a selftimer that fits on a cable release.

Payasam's right, long pneumatic works fine and usually are inexpensive.

Go get one and make Cindy Sherman proud!

B2 (;->

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The autocord I have has no self timer. I just ordered the cable release that I linked.

Oh ok, I wasn't sure if it had one or not. I've only seen on autocord in my life. A woman I worked with at a camera store in Santa Fe had one that she'd covered in some crazy looking blue leather she bought from cameraleather.com and it looked COOL. I didn't pay much attention to if it had a timer though. I have an ancient pre-war Rollei that has a timer but it no longer works, the mechanism of the timer is gummed up so I never use it.

 

[JeremyLangford]

Oh ok, I wasn't sure if it had one or not. I've only seen on autocord in my life. A woman I worked with at a camera store in Santa Fe had one that she'd covered in some crazy looking blue leather she bought from cameraleather.com and it looked COOL. I didn't pay much attention to if it had a timer though. I have an ancient pre-war Rollei that has a timer but it no longer works, the mechanism of the timer is gummed up so I never use it.

One day I'm gonna spend a lot of money at cameraleather.com and make my Minoltas look awesome. I shot my first roll with the autocord and I love looking down onto the ground glass to compose and focus each shot. It definitely made me take my time and focus more on composition.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

One day I'm gonna spend a lot of money at cameraleather.com and make my Minoltas look awesome. I shot my first roll with the autocord and I love looking down onto the ground glass to compose and focus each shot. It definitely made me take my time and focus more on composition.

REminds me of when I got my first medium format camera, which was an ANCIENT pre-WWII Rolleiflex with uncoated lenses. That huge focusing screen is awesome. The prints you'll get from it will make you forget that 35mm exists!

 

[JeremyLangford]

Does the Autocord have a self timer? If not, you might look into one of the little self-timer units that screw into the cable release threads. I have an old one made by Canon, and I've seen similar devices sold new now under names like Hama and Kalt. The Canon one I have is much nicer looking though, and fairly common used (its from the 60s I think).

I think I'm going to have to get one of these self-timers units. I received my cable release today and it's just not long enough for self portraits. The only thing I'm worried about is the self timer being too long and extending into the FOV of the taking lens.

What does it mean if the self-timer is a "pull-in" type.

 

[Keith]

I think Pitxu (bows head with respect) used a neumatic release for his excellent self portraits ... I remember him mentioning it in a thread!

 

[charjohncarter]

Jeremy, I really don't like those plastic coated cable releases. I've have times when they actually move the camera, they are too stiff. I like the clothe sheathed cable release, they nice and loose.

I found them to be especially bad with TLRs. The shutter release is on the front of the camera so there is a bend, this moves when you push the CR.

 

[stompyq]

The very best cable release i've tried is this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800670876-USE/Konica_Minolta_8003200_Cable_Release_II_.html

I have it on all my LF lenses and they are fantastic. I picked a few up on ebay for the price B and H is selling one of them new.

 

[bagdadchild]

The Pentax cloth covered cable release I purchased broke after less than a year of use. The cloth material wears out at the joint. Instead I was recommended a metal weave cable release. I haven't used it for very long but it does indeed look like it will last a lot longer.