About the shutter release button on the M8...

[Carterofmars]

Am I the only M8 user that finds the shutter release button a little difficult to half depress for exposure/memory lock?

I try to gently press the button half way, looking for that ever so slight resistance, then wham o, the picture is taken.

ugh!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yeah, it's kind of rough. I thought mine was broken when I got it...definitely not what you're used to if you've used film Ms. But I've gotten pretty accustomed to it now. At least you don't waste film when you press too hard!

 

[jaapv]

It depends - there is a bit of sample variation between cameras. Some users have unscrewed the shutter button assembly and buffed the shaft of the button, reporting a very smooth action afterwards. It will get smoother anyway as the camera runs in.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

It will get smoother anyway as the camera runs in.

Good to know!

 

[pkreyenhop]

Well, if you think the M8 shutter button is rough, try a Bessa - that's what I call rough!

 

[MCTuomey]

Am I the only M8 user that finds the shutter release button a little difficult to half depress for exposure/memory lock?

I try to gently press the button half way, looking for that ever so slight resistance, then wham o, the picture is taken.

hamfinger!

seriously, other than normal wear making it smoother, would a softie help here?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I use a softie, and it does indeed help, for me, anyway.

 

[Rob-F]

The M8's release has "affectionately" been called "notchy." Among other things... 😉

Does that mean it feels like an M7 release? I find the M7 shutter release comes to a hard stop, or point of resistance, just beyond the AE lock point. I'm sure that's to protect against accidental release. But for me, it also seemed to protect against taking the picture at the right moment, unless I jammed the button down a little extra firmly; in which case I tended to get some camera shake.

Is it like that?

 

[alecgold]

My M8 has clear differences in resistance, without being hard to push.
It's very predictable. But I've been testing, trying and learning to know the exact point where it releases on a sunday afternoon on the couch. That helped me to get to learn the exact point. And it is really, really predictable. Nothing like cheap compacts.
But I have to admit, my M6 was more smooth. And 25 years older 😀

 

[Keith]

Mine was unpredictable and consequently discouraged me from ever using AE. Ten thousand actuations on it's much improved and now I use the camera regularly in AE ... it's a very fast way to shoot once you become familiar with the meter.

 

[MCTuomey]

Rob, the M8 is stickier (or "notchier") than the M7 (I have both bodies), but both share the 3-stage actuation: 1/3 meter on, next 1/3 AE lock, next 1/3 shutter release. But the M8 seems to become smoother with use, at least I think mine is.

Does that mean it feels like an M7 release? I find the M7 shutter release comes to a hard stop, or point of resistance, just beyond the AE lock point. I'm sure that's to protect against accidental release. But for me, it also seemed to protect against taking the picture at the right moment, unless I jammed the button down a little extra firmly; in which case I tended to get some camera shake.

Is it like that?

 

[Jeff S]

My M8.2 shutter release has been smooth since new a year ago...no change.

But, wish I still had the quiet manual advance (without motor sound) of my M6s and M7s.🙁

Jeff