Soft Release

I had a MSR on every Bessa I had, they felt great. Without them they did not feel anywhere near as good without them.

Oddly had Nikon AR-9s on both of my Ms. Not sure why, both (the MSRs and AR-9s) felt perfect for that camera.

B2 (;->
 
I have several Nikon AR-9s to, one on each of my cameras. I got them years ago, before i knew about Tom's much more beautiful softies. They really do make it easier to handhold long exposures, even on my Olympus OM slrs
 
I just ordered 2, one mini and one classic to use on my M6. They're both great, but I'm leaning more towards the classic. I find it A LOT easier to take "button down" vertical pictures since it makes the shutter release button much taller, you dont have to search for that button anymore!
 
My initial reaction to the softie was that it was kind of pointless. But after reading so many positive comments, I threw one in with a lens I was purchasing. Now I can't stand to shoot without one!

Also, 10 years ago I was skeptical of that new scroll wheel that were being put on computer mice at the time. Shows what I know.
 
Couldn't imagine my M4 without my softie.

Tom A, I do have one issue though: I happened to spill a small amount of water from a water bottle onto the softie and area around it (overzealous drinking + trekking at the same time). No issues with the M, but the softie quickly developed a ferric looking oxidization on the top. I was under the assumption they were just 6061 or something similar and didn't expect it to be an issue after I wiped it off, but even months later it still has this annoying metallic stain that looks ingrained within the polish. Any advice? I had considered just fine sanding it but hadn't bothered yet.
 
Clearly, Tom A. is selling fraudulently mispresented merchandise. Probably has a UBS account to boot. God knows what your Softie would look like if you'd spilled some Glenlivet on it instead of water...

The most amazing thing I've found for plastic is Honda's spray cleaner and polish. Designed for use on motorcycle plastics, it does a proper job on most non-mc stuff. Just a thought.

But you might try buffing it out.
 
Chiming in to say that I am loving my Classic soft release. I got a black one for my M6 Panda at Photo Village last week and have been enjoying its benefits since. I haven't had the M6 for too long but it was long enough to notice how much easier it is for me to reliably hand-hold down well below the threshold of 1/FL (1/15, 1/8 etc.). The convex design is really smart and the finish feels great under the finger. I haven't had mine come loose yet and I don't think I'll be needing any mild adhesive like Loctite/Permatex or Elmer's. Once I get my CV R3M and R4M, I'll be trying out the mini versions.
 
Tom, after using the softie for a few years now let me say thank you for a marvelous piece of ingenuity and craftmanship. Can't imagine using an M without one. The softie helped me make this one second exposure, hand held, with Kodachrome. Would not have been possible without it.

3099dc3a.jpg


Full magnification:
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mich8261 said:
I have one for the Bessa and Canonet. I wish someone would develop a no-release for the M2. I keep firing off blank shots when the camera is back in the camera bag. Could probably use a soft release and add little feet or a cylinder that would extend out and down from the edge of the "head" so that when screwed in place the shutter cannot be depressed.
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I changed my habbit.

I advance, and click, then keep in bag.
 
I have an O-ring collection at work and found that a 2-112 size O-ring snaps over a Softy Classic to provide a shutter lock that works like a hair band.

Tom, I use another Softy Classic on a Nikon F3, but it did not screw all the way down to the shoulder. I added a washer to take up the space and add some structual integrity.

It took a little time to get use to. Took a few inadvertant shots, when I was just trying to activate my light meter on my M6. Takes a lot less effort to trip the shutter. To me it is like having a hair trigger. Now I can't live without my Softy's.

Calzone
 
I've had a lot of experience with my local Massage Envy franchises and I know for a fact that they have very scrupulous screenings for massage therapists. You could do a LOT worse than to go to one of these clinics. If you have something very specific, you could call in and ask to consult with a therapist about the injury first. I can almost guarantee you'll leave satisfied
 
.JL. said:
I found them useful, but I keep losing them...
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Also my problem. Love them but they keep falling off. Should I try this?
"They don't fall off if you put some glue on the threads and let it try before screwing it on. I use Elmer's. Does not stick to camera, softie comes out when you want to take it out, otherwise stays in. "
 
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I used a bit of locktite. But before that it never came loose anyway.
 
I had them on all my Leicas. Until, on an M2, the release shaft bent. My repairman tells me it's a common problem. Understandable if you look how thin the brass release shaft is.

I'm without softies now, but use the same technique (shutter press with finger joint) and have the same effect (easier hand-holding). My advise is to stay away from soft releases for Leicas if you want a reliable camera.

Roland.
 
ferider said:
I had them on all my Leicas. Until, on an M2, the release shaft bent. My repairman tells me it's a common problem. Understandable if you look how thin the brass release shaft is.

I'm without softies now, but use the same technique (shutter press with finger joint) and have the same effect (easier hand-holding). My advise is to stay away from soft releases for Leicas if you want a reliable camera.

Roland.
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I had that same problem with an M7.
 
If you apply excessive pressure to the relase - it can bend the shaft, but in my experience, you really have to "whack" it hard. I have never had a problem - and I have been using them longer than anyone else!
 
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