R8 / R9 : electric switch vs manual cable release

[rsolomon]

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i have notice the electric cable release Catalog # 14254. is there something you can do with the electric switch that can't be done via the cable. The only difference i see is that the extensions can be added on for longer length - but is that all ? i do have the DMR & Winder

 

thanks

Rich

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[rick_dykstra]

One can make sharper images with the electronic cable release, with extreme macro or telephoto setups. The manual cable release causes some vibration as it is used, just from the hand shaking and the mechanical release. There is still some camera vibration that occurs with the electronic release, though it can be largely controlled.

 

Best images can be made by using the mirror pre-release function and a cable release. If you are only using standard lenses in the wide angle to say 180mm range then a mechanical release will be just fine.

 

There are three kinds of electronic releases:

- the electronic release with timing functions

- the electric cable release with 30cm cable

- the electric cable release with 5 meter cable.

 

Then there are 25 m extension cables for these, though I made up a 100m extension myself (which is a bit long some times!)

 

Have fun - ask other questions as you need. Rick.

[andybarton]

You can also use the cable release to release the self timer and avoid the shakes.

[gvaliquette]

Rich:

 

The only reason to use a mechanical release with the R8/R9 is if you don't have an electric release! The electric release is much smoother, it can activete the meter by pressing half-way with essentially no risk of triggering the shutter prematurely, and there will be less camera motion. You can also use the electric cable with the "old" grip with the shoulder stock.

By the way, I got the Motor Drive, rather than the winder, for my R9 because the ergonomics are the same as for the DMR. Any problem going frm the Winder to the DMR and back?

 

Andy:

 

I presume you got yourself an electric release for use with your grip with shoulder stock and your 560 mm "slip-grip". How do you like it?

 

Guy

[andybarton]

Andy:

 

I presume you got yourself an electric release for use with your grip with shoulder stock and your 560 mm "slip-grip". How do you like it?

 

Guy

 

Nope - I bought a normal cable release and will lash up a solution next time the weather is suitable for what I want to do with the lens and the stock.

 

For the amount of times that I use a remote release, the electric version is just far too much money.

[gvaliquette]

Andy:

 

The electric release is $139.95 at B&H in NYC; I imagine prices are comparable in the UK. I never regretted my purchasing it. How much was your 560?

 

Guy

[andybarton]

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IIRC, the electric release is over £200 over here, which is roughly what the lens cost me (after a trade-in).

 

I have cleared my study this week and all my Leica stuff is now sitting on a shelf of its own. I think that I have now spent quite enough on "kit" for now It's horrifying how it all adds up...

 

(Edit: The price over here is £229 including VAT, plus delivery. $140 is around £70 at current exchange rates. Methinks that someone is being taken for a ride here...)

[gvaliquette]

Andy:

 

B&H will ship internationally, and you can order on the web!

 

Just a thought.

 

Guy

[rsolomon]

i looked at the prices on B&H website and there is something strange.....

 

 

Cat # 14255: 16.5 foot electric release is $135

 

and

 

Cat # 14254: 1 foot electric release is $140

 

the release that is 15feet longer is $5 less ? is that right ? i beleive both are for R8/R9 and work with winder/drive/DMR

 

thanks for any guidance

[robsteve]

Richard:

 

One of the remote switches only has one set of contacts, the other two. I have noticed this with a set I have here. One has three wires and will wake up the camera or lock the meter reading with a gentle press, fire the shutter with the next press. The other has two wires and only fires the shutter.

 

I suspect the shorter one has the two position switch. A call to Leica will confirm which is which.

[gvaliquette]

Richard, Robert:

 

I have the shorter 1 foot electric cable release. You are correct, Robert: the short cable does have both position releases - press halfway to wake-up the camera and activate the meter, press fully to trigger the shutter. I do not have the longer cable.

 

If you think about it, it makes sense. One would use the short cable on a tripod or with the grip with shoulder stock and would have the eye glued to the viewfinder. On the other hand, if the photographer is 16.5 feet (15 meters) away from the camera, no-one is looking through the finder! In fact, the finder shutter should be shut.

 

Guy

[leicamr]

I have just done some interior shots with my DMR, cable release free. I pre release the mirror and then select the 2 second timer. The exposure is made without any contact with the camera. With the R8 / R9 / DMR the above can be done very quickly and easily. Of course, sometimes it is necessary to trip the shutter at a precise moment, hence the prefered use of cable / electric release.

 

Mark

[robsteve]

I have just done some interior shots with my DMR, cable release free. I pre release the mirror and then select the 2 second timer. The exposure is made without any contact with the camera. With the R8 / R9 / DMR the above can be done very quickly and easily. Of course, sometimes it is necessary to trip the shutter at a precise moment, hence the prefered use of cable / electric release.

 

Mark

 

Mark:

 

I don't know if you knew, but you can set the swich to prerelease, set the timer and then press the shutter button all the way down. The mirror will trip, then start the two second timer.