Soft release or not?

[DougFord]

When I had an m6 I used a very small button sized soft release. Now I use that accessory on my Minolta cl, a camera that I don’t use too often. My cle has a slightly raised shutter button that won’t accommodate a soft release and the camera that I use the most, contax t3, has a nearly flat shutter release button. So I don’t know what to tell you. Try it out for yourself to see whether or not it works for you.

 

[MinorTones]

I had one and lost it far too easily in a field. I didn't notice a big difference with it's use so I never bought one again. They are too expensive imo for what they are, and far too easy to lose.

 

[Tom A]

I should pipe in here as I am probably responsible for most of the Softies around!
It was designed as an assist in shooting at slow shutterspeeds - and it will help. You gain, after some experience, about 3/4-1 f stop of "shake free" shots.
The fact that it will release, IF your shutter is cocked when you put it in your bag is a drawback, but I make a habit of sticking the camera in the back uncocked. I know that it is uncocked when i pull it out and just advance as I am taking it out.
It also helps with "quick" shots as you dont have to orient the finger against the release - just hit the Softie anywhere and it will trigger the shutter.
Some people love it - some people cant get used to them - but then some people are using HP5 and others TriX - to each his own.
Myself, I cant imagine using my M's or Bessa's without it - and not just because I designed and make it.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Well....I quite like 'em! - mainly because I can turn one up in about ten minutes!....but perhaps I'm getting a bit 'tight' in my old age, and pension status, because I would probably not bother if I had to shell out around $15 for 'em! 🙂
Dave.

 

[ghart]

I'm a fan too! Bottom line for me is whether you keep an accessory or ditch it. My Tom A release has remained on my MP from the time I first attached it. Makes firing the shutter slightly more controllable and predicable, for me at least.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I only have one word for soft releases:

"EVAR."

 

[RichardB]

Waste of money!
For long exposures, you must activate the shutter as a rifle shooter does. Take a breath and let it out part way and hold. Press the shutter smoothly and steadily until it activates. You should not know the exact moment of activation. A competition rifle shooter can feel the pulse bounce in his arm and trigger finger and learns to shoot between the bounce. With practise, this can be done with any camera. A soft release will not solve any problems that a proper technique will, which does not require a soft release. So why have one?-Dick

 

[rbiemer]

I like them. But I don't have a Leica and so can't say whether they would be useful on one or not. On my Bessa cameras, I like that the shutter button is effectively raised so I can reach it better. On my FSU cameras, they make the shutter release seem/feel smoother by distributing the pressure over a broader area. Basically, on the cameras I use them on, they give me finer control of the shutter release and help me position my finger for a more natural motion.
Rob

 

[Pablito]

Dear Pablito,

Yes there is. There is the right way (proper) and there is the wrong way of taking a snapshot. You are getting off the subject here because of your pompous mindset however I will humor you.

On second thought I'm going to pass on the above. You are right and I am wrong.

Wishing you all the best with your photography,
George

Dear George,
You're quite the clever fellow!
Best Regards,
Pablito

 

[photo4ls]

(Well....I quite like 'em! - mainly because I can turn one up in about ten minutes!....but perhaps I'm getting a bit 'tight' in my old age, and pension status, because I would probably not bother if I had to shell out around $15 for 'em! 🙂
Dave.)
I have been using one from Dave on my M3 and I love it.
Money well spent and I never put my camera in the bag w/the
shutter cocked.
Nelson

 

[Pablito]

Waste of money!
For long exposures, you must activate the shutter as a rifle shooter does. Take a breath and let it out part way and hold. Press the shutter smoothly and steadily until it activates. You should not know the exact moment of activation. A competition rifle shooter can feel the pulse bounce in his arm and trigger finger and learns to shoot between the bounce. With practise, this can be done with any camera. A soft release will not solve any problems that a proper technique will, which does not require a soft release. So why have one?-Dick

Cos I like it?

 

[BillBingham2]

Requested Shots

Requested Shots

... al/bill -- care to show a photo of this that you speak of? i'm having a hard time visualizing...although i probably do this already...

On shot is my old Nikkormat FTn with an AR-1 on it in the hands of my oldest last Dec/Jan. The same soft shutter release works on my S3 (sorry not pictures). The top is concave, not convex as Tom A's are. I think the AR-1 might even fit an old screw mount leica, though I've never tried.

The other two shots are of my old M4-P with an AR-9 on it. This is the same shape finger-wise as the AR-1 but was built to screw into a standard shutter release screw. There really is such a thing, different manufactures use somewhat different designs, but good designers (e.g. Tom A) make products that do work well on just about every camera. You can see it does not stand up as tall as the AR-1, but for me it worked.

The MSR on my old L will be on my next post.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

.....al/bill -- care to show a photo of this that you speak of? i'm having a hard time visualizing...although i probably do this already...

Here is the MSR (Mini Soft Release) that I think Tom A built. This was my carry everywhere kit and worked great. The MSR, like all of Tom's releases is convex (poking up in an arc). I never really liked the AR-9 on the Bessas, the MSR just felt better. Why, I have no clue. On my Ms (and M6 also) the AR-9 was best.

This is of a feeling, quasi-religious sort of thing that is different for many users. Kind of like, dare I say it, like putting a UV filter on the front of the lens to protect it?

Hope this helps.

B2 (;->

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I don't mean to offend anybody, but I find it rather amusing to see that some people who don't want a soft release for themselves seem to think that everyone who uses them lacks the technique and experience to properly use their camera and the ability to handle their money.

 

[BillBingham2]

Simon,

An interesting observation. One of the things you will find here is that there are a lot of passionate folks that come down on one side or another of different issues. I believe part of that traces back to the issue of being an artist, other parts trace back to a not as positive aspect of human nature. By in large the volume of negative writers has increased here at RFF over the past year and a half or so. Do not throw out the baby with the bath water. An American saying I think that speaks to trashing the good with the bad that is there, perhaps we stole it from somewhere. You can often find points of great insight in some of these posts.

The moderators here are among the best I've ever seen, they do a pretty good job at keeping the folks here under control.

B2 (;->

 

[Colman]

Don't like on R3A - messes up my technique (such as it is), love on Mess Ikonta - improves that immensely.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I didn't mean to go that deep. I just think, whether you love or hate soft releases, there might be others who do the contrary without being wrong about it. I use them all the time and I love it, I can use the camera in some ways I can't without one and it's by no means a waste of money (except if you can make soft releases yourself maybe, but I can't). nonetheless I can perfectly understand if someone does not like to use them at all. that's what I meant to say.

 

[Damaso]

I think it is personal. I happen to find them helpful, others do not. I think the only way to know is to try one. At $20 it is perhaps the least expensive experiment with Leica related gear one can ever make.

 

[Pablito]

I don't mean to offend anybody, but I find it rather amusing to see that some people who don't want a soft release for themselves seem to think that everyone who uses them lacks the technique and experience to properly use their camera and the ability to handle their money.

Yes, hilarious, isn't it?

By the way, a good trick which I learned from Tom a long time ago is to coat the threads of the soft release with glue and let it dry before installing on the camera. The soft release will stay put, you are far less likely to loose it. But when you remove it, the dried glue stays on the soft release and does not stick to the camera. I use Elmer's white glue, it works perfectly. Those who do not like the soft release, please feel free to ignore this tip 😀

 

[gcsk76]

I have more soft releases then cameras.