Is there a benefit to having a soft release?

visiondr said:
I don't understand why these things proliferate either. For those who use Leica M series cameras, the collar around the shutter release seems a perfect place to rest the pad of the finger. It provides subtle resistance and thus promotes a gentle squeeze to force the shutter trigger down to the release point. To me, it is somewhat like the other useful design decisions made when the Leica M was created.
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I totally agree. I can only speak for the M6 but if you squeeze down on the collar and roll slowly on the shutter release while maintaining that pressure on the collar it trips VERY softly. If your technique is such that you're stabbing the shutter release then sure I can see where a soft release may help you. But hey to each his own and what ever works best.

Peace
 
I can only speak for the M6 but if you squeeze down on the collar and roll slowly on the shutter release while maintaining that pressure on the collar it trips VERY softly
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I've tried that, but it doesn't work for me - I guess the sizes and shapes of people's fingers must play a part.
 
Tom A said:
The RFF logo can be done, but it would have to through Stephen as he is the RFF owner. On the Bessa Mini it would be small. I would suggest either a black or a red base-color with the laser engraving in silver (base color). There has to be at least 100 ordered to make it feasible. Setting up the laser and all of that is not cheap! The guy who does it for us is good though. The resolution on the laser is 7 micron's. One could probably write down the instructions for using it and the camera in very small text - probably need a microscope to read it thoiugh!
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As you mention it on your web site I was thinking this was something in the works. Maybe all of us who want one should nicely PM Stephen and ask about it?
On a little different note, I've seen things(pocket knife scales/handles) that are anodized to have a smoky or tortoise shell effect--multi colored patterns I've seen are brown and black--any chance of that kind of colors for the SR?
Rob
 
I've got the M6 and never had a problem with the shutter release position or the collar itself. I'm certainly intrigued at the prospect of an extra 1/2 -1 stop though, for the small price I may try one out and see how I get on with it. I actually have the shakiest hands a fit and healthy 33 year could have so maybe it might help?!
 
OurManInTangier said:
I've got the M6 and never had a problem with the shutter release position or the collar itself.
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Me either. Yet I found the soft release to make it even better. In other words, it wasn't bad before but the feel did improve with the soft release. That's why I just ordered a couple more (for my M3 and CL).

-Randy
 
spiderfrank, you're entitled to your opinion, but not to the use of the pronoun 'we' at the end. Bang your head on a wall if you like, but although I don't need the soft release, I see it as neither ugly nor useless. My fingers work well, but for me, it improves the feel, & I'm quite sure I can hand hold more successfully, more consistently, at low shutter speeds with it. I got mine as a freebie at the Montreal meet-up last weekend, put it on, & within 5 minutes experienced the two major difficulties with it. I almost immediately took a shot of the ground, then a few moments later wondered what that shiny thing on the ground was. My soft release... made both mistakes one more time, screwed it back in a little more tightly. I may try one of the recommended fixes & take care it doesn't fall off, but it's staying on my M2. I've always wound on just before taking a photo anyway. My opinion is mine; keep yours & shoot happily with it.
A big thanks to Tom for the goodies!
 
OurManInTangier said:
I've got the M6 and never had a problem with the shutter release position or the collar itself. I'm certainly intrigued at the prospect of an extra 1/2 -1 stop though, for the small price I may try one out and see how I get on with it. I actually have the shakiest hands a fit and healthy 33 year could have so maybe it might help?!
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it's not that the M's shutter release is bad. it's excellent.

it's that just to most people who have tried it, Tom's Soft Release noticeably improves the the M's shutter release feel. it improves more if you release the shutter with your middle finger on the Soft Release, because that gives you a better grip on the camera.

all this may not make sense to you reading it. but giving it a try is another matter. that is why Tom has sold tens of thousands of the Softies and Minies. They just WORK.

Stephen
 
the undressed shutter button goes off at the bottom of the well, and softies take away from the sense of when the shutter will trip. they're good for non-action shots, though.
 
I spent a whole day yesterday out shooting with my M6 and a Tom A soft release, and it really did make a difference to me. With the soft release, the position of my shutter finger naturally fell so that my finger tip was lying on the camera top plate just in front of the shutter speed dial with the second joint of my finger lying across the release. And then it was just a gentle squeeze to fire the shutter. (And I had no problems with the meter-engage position - the difference in pressure between switching on the meter and shooting just wasn't an issue).

I did try without the soft release, and I found I had to use my fingertip to shoot, with my finger in a less relaxed bent position.

I think I might try a couple of mini soft releases for my Bessa bodies now to see if raising the finger position on those helps too.
 
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