Soft Release?

they don't seem to be as popular as they once were, perhaps due to electronic shutters/releases.

i bought a bunch from ebay and then bought a few from gandy, the tom abrahamson ones. they are very nice. i use the mini soft release on all the canon p's.
there is no provision fro use on the bottom feeder.

joe
 
A cheaper alternative [under $3] is available from Adorama. I've also seen the same item repackaged by Kalt. The top isn't domed like the Abrahamsson but has a concave depression. I use them on my FED 2 and Zorki 5/6 since even after CLA the shutter release is still not as "soft" as on a Bessa-R or Leica M. But this won't work on a Bessa R since it does not clear the shutter speed dial. AFAIK only the "mini-soft release" works on this camera.
 
Given the location of the shutter release on Feds & Zorkis, "soft" releases would seem to be a help. I have them on a couple of my old SLRs, and this thread must might cause me to try them on the Zorkis. They do elevate your touch on the release a little, and would seem more comfortable. True, they won't work on electronic releases without a cable-release socket.
 
I have built my own homemade soft releases using "Prym" press fasteners 15mm. Between them and the shutter release button I put a slightly less than 15mm circular piece of leather. Then I stick the compound to the upper borders of the shutter button, taking care that the rubber glue doesn't enter the shutter screw.

These home made soft releases I have on my Kievs and Oly 35sp. The late one can be regarded as the proof of fire since those aquinted with this camera know the hardship of pressing its shutter button. In a rough and subjective estimation I have reduced the camera vibration and noice by 70%.

Using rubber gum allows you to easily un-glue the soft release in case of repentance.

Unlike the Oly 35sp, the Kievs have a very soft release, but the in the models before the 4am, the shutter button has unpleasant teeth, therefore the need for a softer top.

BTW, the Prym black press fastener is quite elegant .

Cheers,
Ruben
 
ruben said:
I have built my own homemade soft releases using "Prym" press fasteners 15mm.
{deletia}
Using rubber gum allows you to easily un-glue the soft release in case of repentance.
Click to expand...

Ok {wheels turning} let's try this!

I just took a washer, just a plain one from the fix-it kit, about 1/2" round, thin, flat. Then I very carefully applied a ring of contact cement to the inner part of one side of the washer, and to the top of the release button on the Frankencamera. Then I waited {the way-aay-ting is thee hard-est-part} the requisite 15 minutes, and very carefully joined them together. Voila! Instant Soft Release<tm>, or at least one I can use to decide if I want a real soft release or not.

BTW, the Prym black press fastener is quite elegant .
Click to expand...

This one ain't elegant, in fact it looks like a kludge, and it's not really soft, but neither are the ones I saw on Adorama. I figure I'll just use this to see if I like the concept. I can always pull it off and clean off the release button with some NPR.

With this one, I could even still screw in a cable release if I wanted to. 🙂

Thanks for the idea. 🙂
 
Holy smokes guys, put away the JBWeld!! I was just askin' opinions / experiences - I leave for the afternoon and you guys are draggin' out the wrenches! LOL!! dmr436, you're killin' me man. Get the belt sander out and clean the gluuuue off that shutter release!

Okay, I've got my breath now ~~ thanks for all the great tips, links AND construction ideas. Yeah, I was thinkin' along the Abrahamson mini soft-release line or something of that sort. I wonder if the regular size Abrahamson soft-release would be too big / too much / too....... anything?

On my Zorki 1, the shutter release is actually quite a short-throw hair-trigger in it's natural state. But the Z3M & 4 both take quite a deliberate push to fire the shutter.

And ooooooo....... Abrahamsons come in colors!! Eeeyowzaaa! 😱
 
"This one ain't elegant, in fact it looks like a kludge, and it's not really soft..."

Hi dmr,

1) What is a "washer" ?

2) The best way to apply the glue to the top of the shutter button is just to screw beforehand the shutter button with an un-usable cable release or any more or less fitting screw, and at the right moment to unscrew it in order to insert the softie.

3) I strongly recommend the use of the leather circle piece, between the Prym fastener and the camera shutter button, as it will further cushion the vibration and noise up to olympic delights

Cheers,
Ruben
 
BTW, my homemade "Prym" softie will not fit old Feds or any other shutter button surrounded and non protruding a concave base, since the Prym insertion conus is not long enough for those cameras.

But it definitely will be excellent for any shutter release button like the one displayed on this thread, at the avatar of member CVBLZ4.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks justin ... I think that would be the way to go, don't you? We're talkin' 10 bucks here, c'mon.

~P.S.
ruben said:
excellent for any shutter release button like the one displayed on this thread, at the avatar of member CVBLZ4.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm going to have to get a pretty one so I don't screw mp my avatar. 😎
 
Last edited:
Well, they would be the one of the best I've used. An alternative would be the Nikon made soft-release. It would be listed as an AR-9. I bought mine for $12 (Singapore Dollars) after losing my Tom A. MSR.
 
CVBLZ4 said:
Holy smokes guys, put away the JBWeld!! I was just askin' opinions / experiences - I leave for the afternoon and you guys are draggin' out the wrenches! LOL!! dmr436, you're killin' me man. Get the belt sander out and clean the gluuuue off that shutter release!

Okay, I've got my breath now ~~ thanks for all the great tips, links AND construction ideas. Yeah, I was thinkin' along the Abrahamson mini soft-release line or something of that sort. I wonder if the regular size Abrahamson soft-release would be too big / too much / too....... anything?

On my Zorki 1, the shutter release is actually quite a short-throw hair-trigger in it's natural state. But the Z3M & 4 both take quite a deliberate push to fire the shutter.

And ooooooo....... Abrahamsons come in colors!! Eeeyowzaaa! 😱
Click to expand...

I bought an Abrahamson at Photo Village in NYC with the intention of using it on one of my Bessas. Somehow, It did not seem to improve things at all so I put it on my Fed 5B. Voila!!!; highly recommended. 😛
Kurt M.
 
Hey Scarpia, did you get the mini or regular?
~~
BTW, I found this info via the web in case others are interested. I assume you place with the check your preference of regular or mini and color. etc.

Tom Abrahamsson's SoftRelease

The cost of an individual Softie is US$ 10. Dealers who buy in larger quantities -20 or more- get them at $ 7 each. Both prices include shipping by Airmail.

How to get your Softrelease:
The way you get your Softrelease(s) is to mail us an address label with your name and address written on it and your check drawn on a North American bank. We can also accept payment by VISA or International Money Order. Once your order with the address label has arrived, your Softrelease(s) will be on its (their) way.

Tom & Tuulikki Abrahamsson
One-Off Industrial Designs
#203-1512 Yew Street
Vancouver, BC, V6K 3E4
Canada
Click to expand...
 
ruben said:
"This one ain't elegant, in fact it looks like a kludge, and it's not really soft..."

Hi dmr,

1) What is a "washer" ?
Click to expand...

It's just a small metal ring that normally gets put under a screw or a nut. That's what we call them here in the States, anyway.

After trying several air shots and a few real ones this morning, I'm not sure if I like this one or not. I peeled it off after a while, and the button by itself feels a bit more natural to me, although I have to admit it seems to make it smoother with it on.
 
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