soft release and Leica M body.

[geetist]

Hey guys, in this thread I want to discuss a little bit about the issue with using soft release buttons on leica rangefinder bodies. I recently purchased a clean M4 and I have this little button that makes the shutter feel much better due to its concave shape. However I remembered a conversation I had with Youxin Ye earlier this year in which he told me that using shutter releases are actually harmful for the leica bodies. Here is his quote:
" I do not recommend people to use soft release on M3 since the shutter button has a thin brass tube under it, the soft release button is too big, it cause uneven shutter release force and bent the tube underneath, resulting change the entire shutter release button. I have had too many repairs caused by using the soft release buttons. "

So what are your experiences? I am assuming that all M bodies would have identical mechanical structure for the shutter button and thus the info does not only to the M3 alone. Have you ever encountered any problem associated with the usage of a shutter release button? Thanks.

-Jack

 

[icebear]

I am using soft release (Tom A's) buttons on all my Leica Ms and never had issues other than a photo of the inside of the camera bag. But that was before I wrapped a hair rubber around it to prevent the button to pressed down when in the bag. I never heard about the kind of damage you are describing. If Youxin on the other hand is claiming this, then there might be something to it, as he has a good reputation. Maybe people used cable releases and forced it to damage the camera release mechanics?
Whatever, I use Softies without any issues on film and digital bodies.

 

[maddoc]

From my experience a soft release does not do any harm to the shutter release mechanism if it is of small size and the camera not stored in a bag applying lateral forces to the soft release. However, following the lever principle, an extended shutter release bears indeed the risk of bending the internal parts of the release mechanism.

The safest method would be to unscrew the soft release when not using the camera.

 

[geetist]

I am using soft release (Tom A's) buttons on all my Leica Ms and never had issues other than a photo of the inside of the camera bag. But that was before I wrapped a hair rubber around it to prevent the button to pressed down when in the bag. I never heard about the kind of damage you are describing. If Youxin on the other hand is claiming this, then there might be something to it, as he has a good reputation. Maybe people used cable releases and forced it to damage the camera release mechanics?
Whatever, I use Softies without any issues on film and digital bodies.

thanks Klaus for the reply. I am only asking because I really want to use a button a my new m4 but at the same time worry that it would do harm to the camera. Its good to hear that you havent run into trouble with the softies and maybe I will give it a shot.

 

[geetist]

From my experience a soft release does not do any harm to the shutter release mechanism if it is of small size and the camera not stored in a bag applying lateral forces to the soft release. However, following the lever principle, an extended shutter release bears indeed the risk of bending the internal parts of the release mechanism.

The safest method would be to unscrew the soft release when not using the camera.

Yea I guess the case for the release cables sounds more reasonable. But what is a small release button anyways, aren't the screws supposed to be the same size? and that it triggers the shutter differently from the cables because it actually move the original shutter button together whereas the cable usually just have a stick sticking out to trigger the inner shutter mechanism? I need to ask Youxin for details lol.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I asked this question to both, Sherry K and Don G. Sherry is adamant against softies because, like Youxin Ye, she says they cause internal damage to the camera. Don, however, says they're not harmful and sees no damage resulting from their use.

I chose to believe in Don because he's saying what I want to hear. In fact, I won't tell Sherry that all my Leicas have softies, with the exception of the M3 because it doesn't seem to need it.

There you go. Pick your version of the truth and run with it! 🙂

 

[peterm1]

I have never had any problems but I must also admit to having heard that if the camera is dropped, perchance landing on the soft release it will forcefully drive the shutter release button down and doing, according to the report I read, major damage. I have no way of knowing if this is true and needless to say I have no desire to find out first hand.

I still use a soft release as I find it assists smooth release of the shutter. This is especially a requirement with the M8 I find, as the shutter release is very poor by comparison with my M3 - it feels a little "gritty" and crude. Anything that helps improve release with this camera is a sufficient benefit for me to persist. It can also help a little with the half release on this camera - which is needed to lock exposure. This is a good idea but is badly, badly, badly executed for a camera as expensive as the M8 - the half lock position is so imperceptible that mostly I fire the shutter by mistake or just fail to achieve proper lock. Another reason why my affair with my M8 is love / hate.

 

[mfogiel]

The only thing I can say with confidence about soft releases, is that they tend to fall off and get lost, depleting your cash reserves. Recently, I've bought a new one for use with Leica R bodies, as their shutter release is a total PITA without them, but I only intend to use it inside the studio.

 

[kshapero]

I use them all the time but one did cause me a costly repair on an M7. So use at your own risk. I do.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143803

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143803

I think they are pointless.
Most likely to get caught on something,causing damage.
The Leica M or any well made camera,
doesn't require those buttons.
i live in Canada where winter means gloves and for me,
the summer sun means gloves! Rats!
The shutter release on my cameras, always precise.
Never felt the need for one.

 

[peterm1]

The only thing I can say with confidence about soft releases, is that they tend to fall off and get lost, depleting your cash reserves. Recently, I've bought a new one for use with Leica R bodies, as their shutter release is a total PITA without them, but I only intend to use it inside the studio.

True. I recently lost a "ladybug" one that was cute but expensive. This was only the latest in a line of such losses.

 

[Pioneer]

I bought one, tried it on a film M and my M9, and took it back off both of them. Some obviously like to use them but all they did for me was just move the location of the shutter release. I like my M camera shutter releases as they are and have no problems with the factory setup. To be honest though I didn't make this decision because I thought it would hurt the camera.

But, as with most things, everyone makes their own decisions and then accept the results.

 

[burancap]

I like them as I like to drape my finger over the release and then straighten my finger to fire. I do wonder about potential risk and was thinking of trying a small rubber self-adhesive puck to accomplish the same finger position without any risk.

 

[Tom A]

The Softie is one of those things that you either find essential - or pointless. It all depends on your shooting style! It does give you more control of the release action - which translates to advantage of shooting at slower speeds than without it. I, use them obviously' on all my cameras - and can't imagine not having them on - but then I am biased of course.
As for damaging the camera, never had it happen to me. As for technicians pooh - poohing them - what are they going to say about the $65 Softies from Leica.

 

[Michael Markey]

Have them on both my M bodies for years ... no problems.
I`d not be without them.

 

[rulnacco]

I'd think that using them probably wouldn't harm the camera--after all, they're designed to reduce the amount of force necessary to trigger the shutter. However, if they take a knock from any direction, or get snagged on something, I'm certain the results probably wouldn't be pretty.

I have Tom A's large soft releases for both my M6 and M3. But they stay in the bag except in situations where I'm shooting at slow shutter speeds (1/15th or slower), when they are very useful indeed.

Like any piece of photographic gear, used selectively and appropriately, they help you get the job done. I certainly wouldn't leave one on the camera all the time, though.