Leica LTM Did Leica Make A Soft Release For Barnacks?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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chuckroast

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Did Leica ever make a soft release for the IIIf?

I ask, because the Nikon AR-2 cable threads right in an works fine. But, when I try to use the generic soft releases from my Nikon F bodies, the walls are too thick and they won't go into the IIIf's shutter release "well" to thread onto the mechanism.

Was there ever a Leica branded one? Should I try getting a Nikon AR-1 release?
 
Maybe this?

Leitz SOREI
fotohandeldelfshaven.nl

Leica Leitz SOREI soft shutter release for Screw mount cameras - Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics

Inkoop / Verkoop. - Vintage camera store in Delft - Rare NY made SOREI soft shuter release without engraving. Fit's early Leica screw mount cameras up to IIIB. Comes in good condition with some regular age related wear. made in the late 1940s. Collectors item but also a pleasure to use. - 177540
fotohandeldelfshaven.nl fotohandeldelfshaven.nl
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Vintage Leitz / Leica SOREI Soft Shutter Release, c.1949 NO RESERVE. | #1722381447

Leica LTM - cool accessories for barnacks...

Eeeewwwww....... 🤮 Leica MQUOO Mouth Release https://classic.leica-camera.com/at/en/lcc/Leica-MQUOO-Mouth-Release/9498-8
rangefinderforum.com rangefinderforum.com
 
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It looks like that is installed by removing the existing collar and putting this in place of it. Beyond the fact that it's collectable and insanely expensive ;) I'm looking for something that will thread into the stock release assembly/collar like the Nikon AR-2 cable release does.
 
chuckroast said:
It looks like that is installed by removing the existing collar and putting this in place of it. Beyond the fact that it's collectable and insanely expensive ;) I'm looking for something that will thread into the stock release assembly/collar like the Nikon AR-2 cable release does.
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Early Leica accessories all operated that way - remove the collar, screw on the accessory. The problem that you're running into is that the "non-removable" collar on the later Leicas doesn't leave enough free space around the thread to accommodate those accessories - I have a Leitz self-timer that doesn't fit on anything past a IIIb as a result.

However! You can still unthread the shutter button surround that's on the IIIc through the IIIg and mount those earlier accessories, as they unscrew exactly the same as the collar on the early Leicas do. Replacing one with a SOREI would be easily done, but I'm not sure it's particularly worth it, personally. I've never liked the "funnel" style release surrounds. In fact, that's what the seller Raydm6 has linked to has done, as the SOREI is shown mounted on a If.
 
This may be already covered, but Steve Gandy was selling "soft release" on his site.. whether they work for Barnack?!?

FOR SALE Just there... didnt' list any Barnack modfels :(
 
There were plenty of these made in softish aluminium by other makers than Leitz, not particularly nice or well made. I wouldn't bother.

In the past I have made shutter button collars from the little ring nuts that hold traditional style bicycle inner tube valves in place on the wheel rim. I thought they added a certain 'je ne sais quoi'.
 
I was looking for a soft release button for my screw mount Leicas to use them with thick gloves when hiking winter mountains. I found one mounted on a Leica If but I don’t need another camera so I started looking into other options. The Nikon AR-1 has a similar thread but is too short. Therefore I came up with the idea of cannibalizing a cable release and use some parts of it to make a DIY shutter release button. It took some work with a Dremel, some grinding and drilling but finally I came up with a working copy.
IMG_0709.png
 
maddoc said:
I was looking for a soft release button for my screw mount Leicas to use them with thick gloves when hiking winter mountains. I found one mounted on a Leica If but I don’t need another camera so I started looking into other options. The Nikon AR-1 has a similar thread but is too short. Therefore I came up with the idea of cannibalizing a cable release and use some parts of it to make a DIY shutter release button. It took some work with a Dremel, some grinding and drilling but finally I came up with a working copy.
View attachment 4854451
Click to expand...
Looks like you did a very nice job there!
 
Darinwc said:
Looks like you did a very nice job there!
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Thank you very much! So far it works, will test it soon in the wild. My only concern now are the lubricants in the camera, noticed overexposure the last time I was on a mountain at -5℃.
 
There was some debate about that but I think the consensus was that it is something of a flight of fancy.

Having said that there are or at least were quite a few about.
 
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