What are the drawbacks to using a soft release button

[chippy]

just wondering what the drawbacks are and, why, using one VOIDS the warrantee of a camera that has been overhauled/serviced. (at least some service ppl i have recently noticed state this) .

not covering a warrantee seems to suggest that they can cause a problem of some sort, what problems can they cause? they are not saying problems caused by a soft release are not covered by warrantee (i.e. i imagine if one broke the thread off in the button), but that using one at all, VOIDS the camera repair warrantee all together

 

[BTMarcais]

Got me. The only "problems" I've had w/ using a soft release are (quite) a few accidental pictures, usually of feet, the inside of the camera bag, etc.
The release is sensitive enough (and easier to knock because of the bigger button surface) that I've had to get used to only cocking the shutter right before taking the picture, so I don't hit the darn thing by mistake and take another picture of the ground with my lens collapsed.
-Brian

 

[Al Kaplan]

I tried one years ago. It was a blessing when it fell off and got lost. I guess it would be OK on a digital but it'll cost you a fortune on a film camera!

 

[Tom A]

I have never heard that the Softie "voids" a warranty! If somebody states that - they have no idea what they are talking about. If anything, the Softies (mine and others) are reducing the stress on the camera.
And if this was true - dont you think that my friends at Leica would have informed me about it. Both the Rapidwinder and Softie are used by Leica employees - however, they are asked not to use them at Official Leica occasions - which makes complete sense.

 

[drsimonwong]

Can't for the life of me know why they would void a warranty. Would using a cable release void a warranty??
Downsides are accidental exposure or battery drainage as it is easier to trigger the shutter mechanism. I've overcome this issue by hooking one of my wife's hair ties under the softie until I"m ready to shoot.
Biggest downside is loosing one if it untwists unknowingly. There really is a large void left in one's life without it...🙂
Simon

 

[fixbones]

I am fairly new to film photography but all my cameras have one of them 'Tom A Softies'. I get more keeper shooting at slower shutter speeds with them on. Granted that i occasionally accidentally trigger the shutter but no where enough for it to be a contraindication to using them.

My only regret is that they don't have them for digital cameras (not that i have any right now) but i am pretty sure they will make a difference in my shooting experience back when i still had my D700

I really cannot understand as well how using a softie can void the warranty of a camera/CLA. ??????.

Can i live without the softies .... sure can
Would i go without the softies .. why would i......

Just my 2 little Aussie cents...................... 🙂

 

[gudlagoba]

The soft release is amazing! I have had one for three months and I like it so much that the camera simply does not feel complete without it.

I had the accidental trigger only once in the past three months. I usually wind before I shoot so I don't have that problem.

I need to buy a couple more from Tom.

 

[ruby.monkey]

In my case, wasted shots due to - how shall I put it - premature release, until I got used to its presence.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

To me, the only problem was losing my softies. Fortunately, Tom's wife gave me a tip about how to secure them: apply a dab of nail polish on the thread, let it rest for a second, then place on shutter release button. So far, all my softies are still in place... 🙂

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Hmmm

I've been using a soft release for quite awhile, frankly, cant do without it should it fall off!

Soft release makes the shutter much easier to press down to, very little pressure is required to fire the shutter.

Downside would be accidental shutter firing while holding my camera & walking about, its really sensitive 😀

 

[fixbones]

well you never know...

Accidental shutter firing may just yield serendipitous results........... So might not be a bad thing =D

 

[maddoc]

A camera technician told me to be careful when using soft-releases because they can slightly bent the pivot under the shutter button when to high lateral forces are applied. This can easily happen, when the soft release bumps into something. A slightly bent pivot lets the shutter button feel "sticky", and with metered M Leica cameras it can cause problems with the electronics. (Meter doesn't go off after releasing the shutter)

 

[picker77]

I think maddoc got it right. In profile, soft releases are just a T-shaped lever with quite a lot of mechanical advantage. The bigger the diameter of the soft release, the the longer the lever, and the more the advantage. I've even seen a few advertised that were 3/4" in diameter! Additionally, I suspect many use them by pressing down on just one side (or even just one edge!) to get a more "precise" feel to the stroke. This would place a large and unanticipated sideways stress on the thin metal vertical shutter actuating rod below the factory release button. Some wondered why cable releases aren't considered a problem--but look at your cable release--it screws solidly into the camera's release button, perfectly in line with it. And it's actuated by a small pin that extends (also exactly vertically in line) with the entire thing--the result is no side stress at all, no matter how hard you push on the release.

That skinny little actuating rod was designed for ONLY in-line down force, not bending force. Repeated over time, off-center pressure on a soft release could easily cause the shutter actuating rod to take a slight permanent bend or "set", resulting in a sticky release and a warranty trip back to the poor innocent CLA guy--accompanied by a complaint. I notice on Tom's website he recommends a straight down motion of the release, either with the pad of the fingertip, or with the pad of the second joint of the finger. In either case, nearly all of the down force is vertical as opposed to bending stress. If everybody followed that, the problem likely wouldn't arise. However, people being people...

 

[35mmdelux]

Not so tech here, but i hate accidental trigger. I dont carry camera bag anymore but just the same.

 

[35mmdelux]

apply a dab of nail polish on the thread, let it rest for a second, then place on shutter release button. So far, all my softies are still in place... 🙂

Wonderful. Might that be red or in pink?

 

[thrice]

well you never know...

Accidental shutter firing may just yield serendipitous results........... So might not be a bad thing =D

Like accidental self portraits!

 

[marke]

If anything, the Softies (mine and others) are reducing the stress on the camera.

Tom, can you explain hiw a Softie could reduce the stress?

Thank you.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

What does this mean?

1) I guess it would be OK on a digital but...
2) ...it'll cost you a fortune on a film camera!

Why different on digital?
Cost?

I WANT to understand, Al!

 

[MinorTones]

Mine fell off in a field of cotton never to be found again. I don't think I'll buy a new one. I think I bought it in a gear lust fit.

 

[kshapero]

I have never heard that the Softie "voids" a warranty! If somebody states that - they have no idea what they are talking about. If anything, the Softies (mine and others) are reducing the stress on the camera.
And if this was true - dont you think that my friends at Leica would have informed me about it. Both the Rapidwinder and Softie are used by Leica employees - however, they are asked not to use them at Official Leica occasions - which makes complete sense.

Never heard of this either. I have used softies and mini softies on RF's and SLR's for years and they are a great accessories. Period.