edge100
Well-known
My experience exactly.
Do you still use a soft-release?
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My experience exactly.
Jason Sprenger
Well-known
I use a concave one on my M8.2 because the shutter release isn't smooth like that on the Leica M2 or Zeiss Ikon.
The release doesn't become smooth with the softie but easier for me to use.
Moving back to the other cameras, I often use it also now that I'm used to it.
The M2 sometimes photographs the inside of the bag but that doesn't bother me so much. It would if the camera went in and out of the bag a lot during use.
For the ZI and M8.2, it's not an issue for me as they have On-Off switches.
The release doesn't become smooth with the softie but easier for me to use.
Moving back to the other cameras, I often use it also now that I'm used to it.
The M2 sometimes photographs the inside of the bag but that doesn't bother me so much. It would if the camera went in and out of the bag a lot during use.
For the ZI and M8.2, it's not an issue for me as they have On-Off switches.
Tony Whitney
Well-known
I use Tom's soft releases on every camera I have that will take them, including Leicas and my X100. I use some ancient Nikon soft release on my S3, but it's a bit bulky and I wish Tom would make some in that design - perhaps with an RFF logo...TW
kermaier
Well-known
Sorry, i use a Match Technical Bop (small, concave) on my X100, and it does have a tendency to unscrew. But the improved shooting stability offered by the softie plus a Thumbs-up EP5S is worth the irritation, IMO.
::Ari
CosmicCharlie
Established
have used original Tom A for about 15 years on daily m6, it does help me below 15th, never a problem.
mdarnton
Well-known
I had a couple on my cameras about 40 years ago, but ended up getting too many shots of my elbow and the inside of my bag. Haven't used one since, and don't really miss it, either.
Michael Markey
Veteran
Yes on both my M3 and M2.
tomtofa
Well-known
Can't help, I'm afraid - had one for my x100, it fell off after a day or two and I didn't replace it . . .
back alley
IMAGES
i use tom's mini on both my fujis...still there from day one!
zuiko85
Veteran
Never used them. Totally unecessary.
Observe the dished shutter release surround on Leica M (and Minolta SRT for that matter). With a little practice you use the ball, not tip, of your index finger to bring the top of the shutter button flush with the top rim of the surround. A further 1/2mm of depression releases the shutter. You have to look very hard to even see my finger move at the moment of release. My OM-1 operates the same with a collar around the release. The goal is to take up the free travel of the release first, then release the shutter at the optimal moment. Very natural and offers the best for steady shooting at medium to slow shutter speeds.
Observe the dished shutter release surround on Leica M (and Minolta SRT for that matter). With a little practice you use the ball, not tip, of your index finger to bring the top of the shutter button flush with the top rim of the surround. A further 1/2mm of depression releases the shutter. You have to look very hard to even see my finger move at the moment of release. My OM-1 operates the same with a collar around the release. The goal is to take up the free travel of the release first, then release the shutter at the optimal moment. Very natural and offers the best for steady shooting at medium to slow shutter speeds.
furcafe
Veteran
Never had the need to use one in the 1st place. It's not like Leica shutter releases are particularly difficult to press without shaking the camera!
rich_
Established
Everyone has their own preferences but for myself, I'd rather use a soft release rather than not. I have a larger concave type one on my M9p.
Joe AC
Well-known
I tried one on my M2 but ended up having to take it off due to too many accidental "misfires".
Then I put it on the M9 and could not use the meter without tripping the shutter. Now, it on display on a shelf. Oh well, I tried.
Joe
Then I put it on the M9 and could not use the meter without tripping the shutter. Now, it on display on a shelf. Oh well, I tried.
Joe
porktaco
Well-known
asiafish
Established
Convex on my M6, concave on my M8.
peterm1
Veteran
I use a mini release on my M8 (one that looks like a ladybug and being bright red goes wonderfully well with the Leica red dot on the front of the camera.)
It helps in one respect - it makes it a little easier to fire the shutter smoothly, especially at low shutter speeds.
One thing it does not much help with though is that the M8 has a dreadfully clunky and ineffective half lock position on the shutter button (used for locking exposure).
Given that the M8 metering is pretty primative by modern standards, I often point the lens at the ground to meter, then try to lock the exposure before composing the shot then firing the shutter. But its very difficult to do this with my M8. Either nothing happens and the meter is not properly locked - if the button is not pressed quite enough. Or pressing a tiny bit more causes it to fire the shutter. The difference between not locking the exposure at all and overdoing it causing the shutter to fire is so tiny that mostly its just a PITA. Of course, Leica being Leica there is nothing as simple as an exposure lock elsewhere in the camera either (as found say in Nikon DSLRs which allow the thumb to lock the exposure via a button high on the right hand rear of the camera).
Nothing helps with this problem and this is one further reason why the M8 is frankly not up to the standard we have come to expect of Leica and to be honest I rather regret buying it.
It helps in one respect - it makes it a little easier to fire the shutter smoothly, especially at low shutter speeds.
One thing it does not much help with though is that the M8 has a dreadfully clunky and ineffective half lock position on the shutter button (used for locking exposure).
Given that the M8 metering is pretty primative by modern standards, I often point the lens at the ground to meter, then try to lock the exposure before composing the shot then firing the shutter. But its very difficult to do this with my M8. Either nothing happens and the meter is not properly locked - if the button is not pressed quite enough. Or pressing a tiny bit more causes it to fire the shutter. The difference between not locking the exposure at all and overdoing it causing the shutter to fire is so tiny that mostly its just a PITA. Of course, Leica being Leica there is nothing as simple as an exposure lock elsewhere in the camera either (as found say in Nikon DSLRs which allow the thumb to lock the exposure via a button high on the right hand rear of the camera).
Nothing helps with this problem and this is one further reason why the M8 is frankly not up to the standard we have come to expect of Leica and to be honest I rather regret buying it.
Ronald M
Veteran
It kept going off in the bag so I took it off.
ayewing
Member
Like others I found that a soft release button tends to fall off or cause inadvertent shutter release.
I did find it helpful when using a Visoflex as it provides a larger target area for the adjustable screw on the release lever.
I did find it helpful when using a Visoflex as it provides a larger target area for the adjustable screw on the release lever.
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
I have used one in the past but have stopped.
Why? I talked with Sherry Krauter about soft releases. She pretty much told me they were accidents waiting to happen.
Sherry told me that she had repaired several Leica M cameras over the years that had either been dropped and landed on the soft release or had the soft release smashed/banged/mashed down while attached to the camera.
She said the amount of damage caused to the internals of the cameras was "astounding."
I have not used a soft release since.
Good point...
awbphotog
Well-known
I had a small softie on my Bessa R and a regular softie on my Fuji G690BL for a time before they both came off while shooting and were lost to the Rochester gods of nature. I enjoyed shooting with them and would still be if they didn't unscrew themselves. Next time I'll use nail polish to keep them in place!
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