shutter soft release

[madsolitaire]

Mr Philip Tay runs a reputable service in Singapore, restoring classic cameras to its former beauty and function. I can attest to his expertise in this area.

Recently, i got one of Philip Tay's shutter soft release for my Leica and I am very happy with it. If I may just quote from his website:

"A good shutter release is crucial as it allows the photographer to capture the exact moment he wants with minimal force on the camera shutter, thus reducing the vibration on the camera at low shutter speed (which is very important in indoor & low light photography),

Most of the shutter soft releases sold in the market today are pretty large covering almost the whole diameter of the entire camera body shutter release, hence they look obtrusive. Mr Tay feels that the shutter soft release should allow photographer to have a good feel on the camera body shutter release, yet not spoil the cosmetics of the camera.

The Philip Tay Soft Release measures only 8mm in diameter, spot a fine diamond cut finish on the side, allowing a better feel even with fingers are on the edge. With the concave top, it allows the index finger to sit nicely giving a good feel the moment the release is pressed. Made with very high quality brass, plated with nickel, this soft release will is made to give trouble free usage for many many years to come."

More details can be found on his website: De Camera Consultant

 

[jky]

Looks like a nice piece... like it was there to begin with.
But to each his own I guess as i preferred the larger convex releases. I found this particular type was smoother for my purposes as the shape (convex) resulted in a natural progression when I press the trigger. There was less "digging" involved with the tip of my index finger.
I'm sure though that many people out there prefer this type - thanks for the link.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I prefer tom's convex ones myself; I have one for my Canon P and it makes that P's rather stiff shutter release very comfortable.

 

[back alley]

i like tom's mini, perfect for my dainty fingers😉

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I'm not sure what the point is of a soft release almost the same size as the original release button. It is the additional size and shape of the soft release that make it effective. Tom's work great and, regardless of size, certainly don't ruin the esthetics of a camera.

I'd feel undressed without one now.......so make them for all my cameras from
high-grade stainless steel,-here's one on the humble Fed.

Dave

 

[Nikon Bob]

I prefer tom's convex ones myself; I have one for my Canon P and it makes that P's rather stiff shutter release very comfortable.

I too use tom's convex soft releases on a Canon P but not because the shutter release was stiff without it. It keeps my ham fingers from touching the camera during release and did make the release feel slightly softer/easier. My friend has a P also and the release on his is in no way stiff.

Bob

 

[newspaperguy]

I have both a concave style soft release, and a Tom A version from Stephen.
The latter lives on my "P."

For me the 'Tom' allows me to squeeze longer hand-held exposures then using my finger tip on the concave version. But, that's me. Try it yourself and see.

 

[ruben]

The perfect soft release is still to be manufactured.

In my opinion it should be convex, although concave ones should be made too for the folks to choose.

The most important part of a soft release is its head. Unfortunately no manufacturer has shown the brightness to produce the heads from a somewhat soft material, like some hard rubber or anything of the like.

Personally I have filled the gap by introducing a small ring of rubber or leather at the top of the softie's screw, thus cushioning between the softie top head and the sutter release. What a difference this makes !

But the hard rubber top soft release is still waiting for a manufacturer.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Mike_C]

A bit late...but there does exist a soft release with a hard rubber top. I don't know who made it, but mine came my way with a Rollei 35. It's about 8.2mm tall and 14mm wide, convex, and with a threaded hole so that a cable release can be attached through it. I'll attach a picture, if anyone's interested (though I'm not planning to sell it).
Mike

 

[Roger Hicks]

And of course there are those who don't get in with even the finest soft releases, such as Toms's (though his trigger wind-on is another matter -- it's on my M2 full time).

Cheers,

R

 

[peterm1]

I have and love this one (the lady bug) pictured a few photos down on this link.
http://matchtechnical.com/Beep.aspx

I originally bought Toms and still have it and use it on my M3. I like it very much - it is well designed (convex) and well made. It also looks and works well.

But the cute little bug looks fantastic on my M8 - the red bug somehow complements the red Leica logo. (see picture of one on a black M8 here http://www.popflash.com/accessories/match-technical-bug-red-mini-soft-release-new/

I also particularly like the way in which the small round head nestles into my index finger. I find that promotes smooth release.

 

[JackForster]

I have and love this one (the lady bug) pictured a few photos down on this link.
http://matchtechnical.com/Beep.aspx

I originally bought Toms and still have it and use it on my M3. I like it very much - it is well designed (convex) and well made. It also looks and works well.

But the cute little bug looks fantastic on my M8 - the red bug somehow complements the red Leica logo. (see picture of one on a black M8 here http://www.popflash.com/accessories/match-technical-bug-red-mini-soft-release-new/

I also particularly like the way in which the small round head nestles into my index finger. I find that promotes smooth release.

I have two of Tom's soft releases and the only issue I have with them is that they make it a little too easy to trigger the shutter accidentally --probably just me but they seem to tend to go off in my bag pretty often.

J.

 

[mto'brien]

I have two of Tom's soft releases and the only issue I have with them is that they make it a little too easy to trigger the shutter accidentally --probably just me but they seem to tend to go off in my bag pretty often.

J.

Jack, That problem is easily solved by looping a cloth hair tie around your strap adjacent to the soft release. Just loop it between the softie and the shutter button before putting it in your bag and it won't accidentally fire.