Nikon AR-1 Soft Release

Bleux

Bleux

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I got a hold of a AR-1 Soft Release. It came into the shop that I work at and my boss told me I could have it if I wanted. Just wondering if anyone with some experience using one, can give me the pros and cons of using it. Thanks.
 
I used one on my Nikon F2 cameras years ago and found it very good.

Whilst not for everyone, it enabled me to squeze the shutter button very gently rather than stabbing it. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give though is that in all the years I had my Nikon F2 cameras I'd completely forgotten they were on the cameras - until you posted this!

John
 
I had a softrelease on my F3. While out one winter I slipped on a frozen bridge and when I fell the softie drove the shutter button under the body cover. Was stuck. Luckily I was able to recover it easily, no damage.
Not saying this is going to happen, just watch where you step when the softie's on 😀
 
Presumably you're thinking of using it with your Nikon S2?

I think it fits okay, but size wise I would have thought it may be a bit on the large size given that it was main purpose was for use on big Nikon SLRs.

John
 
If one has "fat fingers" it is a good sized soft release. Works real good on the F3 to compensate for the somewhat concave on-camera shutter release. It is a real PIA if one uses a cable release, however.
 
Bleux, It is a personal thing. I have it fitted to my rangefinders. I don't like to use the tip of my finger for both ergonomic and control reasons. The soft release works well for me under the first joint which feels a more relaxed holding position. I try not to drag it against brick walls.
 
I've had AR-1s on every Nikon/Nikkormat that would take them for the past 39 years or so. Put an AR-9 on my Leica M6 & M4-P as well as the FMs I owned for a while. And an AR-1 was on my S2 and S3 when I had them.

For me I prefer a concave soft shutter release rather than a convex (e.g. Tom A Mini Soft Releases). I did have MSRs on all my Bessas so perhaps I'm convex curious or something.

When I did some testing years ago in the SLR world I was able to get an acceptable shot at a full shutter speed slow with the AR-1 than without it. It did make my Nikon RFs look perhaps not as smooth, but I loved the feel of it.

As mentioned above it's a personal thing that for me works very well. Give it a try for a bit. The price is right and if you do not like it stick it in a drawer till you can pass it along to a home that wants it.

B2 (;->
 
I have two, one on my FM since 25 years or so and one on my S2. For me, it really improves the handling of the camera (slow shutter speeds).
 
The AR-1 works well on the Nikon Rf's. On the SLR's you still hve a problem with mirror-slap (unless you put the camera on mirror lock up). Only problem is that it is very tall and if you bang the camera against something it puts pressure sideways in the release collar. The good thing is that the Nikon's collar is sturdy enough to take it.
Very handy on S2's if you use a bright line finder or VC meter on top of the camera as it moves the release "up" a bit and less chance of getting the finger tangled up in accessories!
There is a clone of these made in Japan, picked some up a couple of years ago and, though still a bit tall, they work well.
I have been playing around with a design for it that would be spring-loaded and slightly lower - but so far no prototypes. A bit complex as it would require 5 different parts (collar, lock-ring, release button, spring and a complex shaft to hold the spring) which would make it quite expensive to make.
 
Yea, the AR-1 will work on your S-2, it does on mine. It has another possible advantage on the S-2 in that it keeps your finger from interferring with the shutter speed dial as it rotates on firing the shutter. I do like softreleases in gemeral.

Bob
 
Yes, it works great on an F or F2, especially with a Photomic head. I tried one on an S2 and wasn't happy with it - much too high for me.
 
it will significantly increase the number of keepers--certainly in the "inside of my bag" category

😎
 
I use it on my F2. In terms of soft release "feel", for me, there was not much difference between using it and the F2's stock release. What it did was to raise the height of the release on the F2 so that my finger position is more comfortable, not as bent.
 
I have one on each of my F2's...on one of them I was having a problem, at times, with the shutter release button sticking and I would miss some shots...after placing the AR-1 on it I haven't had that problem again...
As far as using them goes...after a while you forget they are there...
 
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