having problems making friends with my soft release...

Kahnlund

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Apr 22, 2010
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I very much like the softie when it's screwed on and I have the camera in my hand but the problem is when I want to put the camera down in my bag, then i would say it's a fifty-fifty chance that the softie will get pushed against the inside of the bag while walking around and then release the shutter and one frame is lost...
the alternativ is ofcourse to not wind up after taking a picture but I have tried that and somehow it just don't work out...(dont ask me why...)
Any one else experienced the same issue and how did you come around it:confused::confused::confused: I guess this is not what you would call a major issue, but it would anyway be interesting to here how you are dealing with it...

Thanks!
Matt.
 
A thick hairband attached to the nearside strap ring (or through the strap lug) and tucked under the rim of the softie will stop it from being depressed, and you can flick it out of the way whenever you get the camera ready for action.

(a trick I learned on RFF)
 
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I stopped using a soft release because it happend too often that I took the camera to the eye and pressed the shutter....nothing happened.....because I took a photo by accident when the camera was hanging over the shoulder. 3-5 wasted frames per film :-(
 
I had the same problem and just couldn't make myself get used to winding before shooting instead of after. I tried the hair bands, and found it too much trouble. Finally just took the softies off and put them in the bag. Like you I did like having them on while shooting. Lately I've stopped carrying a bag, so I may add a softie back to my M3. I really like not using a bag, BTW. An idea I got from Ken Rockwell.
 
Never liked the idea of a softie, but the downward travel of the M6 shutter button is so long to trip the shutter that I might have tried it for that. The M2, M4, M4-2 and M5 trip the shutter mid way down which I find just perfect. Agree with not carrying a bag - only when absolutely necessary.
 
maybe start a project called: "frames that were almost lost from the softie but i saved them" and fill it with pictures you take everytime you want to put your camera away.
just take pictures of what you see at that moment you are puting the camera away.
:D
 
when I put it into the bag, I take the softie off my camera and keep it in this kind of little pocket: http://www.public-domain-image.com/miscellaneous/slides/blue-jeans-pocket.jpg
it really helps to wear trousers that do feature these pockets though, because if you put it in other people's pockets is not always easy to get it back when you need it, especially if these other people are complete strangers, BELIEVE ME I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT OKAY?
anyway, I rarely have any problems, but I admit it took a little while to get used to not slamming the camera into everyone and everything top plate first to avoid the accidental exposures.
 
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It is not a good idea to store the camera with the shutter cocked. Just don't advance the film before you put the camera in the bag and that's all it takes. Of course, do it when you take it out of the bag and it'll be always ready.

Have a fun day! :)
 
maybe start a project called: "frames that were almost lost from the softie but i saved them" and fill it with pictures you take everytime you want to put your camera away.
just take pictures of what you see at that moment you are puting the camera away.
:D

Oh, now that's not a bad idea!
 
maybe start a project called: "frames that were almost lost from the softie but i saved them" and fill it with pictures you take everytime you want to put your camera away.
just take pictures of what you see at that moment you are puting the camera away.
:D

Thats the best idea so far!
I'l give it it a try (will remember mention your name when I have them on exhibition on some fancy gallery :D:D)
 
I simply don't leave my shutter cocked. When I'm ready to shoot I cock the shutter, until then I don't. I treat my M like a gun and don't put one in the chamber until I'm ready to shoot. The number of shots I've ever missed by not being pre cocked is vastly outweighed by the film I have not wasted, at least in my opinion.

Many people seem to get great results with the hair band trick.
 
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