tdtaylor Posted June 9, 2010 Share #21 Posted June 9, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) While I appreciate a Legacy, I feel there are two ways to view this "Legacy." One view of the Legacy is always to provide a smooth operating device, as good or better than it's predecessors. There very well may be a way of developing a new shutter release button that was smoother than previous versions- I would support this "Legacy" of smooth operation/improved performance. Another view of this Legacy would be that it was built one way (which was excellent), and should not change from this proven design. One is a performance standard, one is a physical standard. Unfortunately, it appears they built it differently and it is not as smooth or smoother. In my mind, they failed either aspect of my comments above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 9, 2010 Posted June 9, 2010 Hi tdtaylor, Take a look here m9..shutterbutton question. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
diogenis Posted June 9, 2010 Share #22 Posted June 9, 2010 How is it different then? Who wants a soft button? I don't want it soft, but I do want it precise and that's what I DO get on my M. I know how much more I should press to fire that shutter. The button then stops and nests in that sculpted nest perfectly. And not that you don't get your soft button either. For those that want... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted June 9, 2010 Share #23 Posted June 9, 2010 I to desire precise (which I have been calling smooth, maybe incorrectly), but my M9 had an original shutter button (without screw in soft release) that was definitely "crunchy." After my fix, it does indeed work as you describe, and I can sense the stages in the button- not possible before the "fix." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted June 9, 2010 Share #24 Posted June 9, 2010 All the softy does, is "distribute" pressure to a bigger surface and thus change the pressure level needed for the last pressure stage, that is the actual shutter opening. However by doing so, you lose the "nesting" of the finger in that sculpted button. I know exactly where to bring the button to catch my moment, in the shortest amount of time, exactly when I want it to shoot. You can get this kind of precision with this mechanical switch with very discrete steps, but you don't have this when you use an electronic microswitch. What's more, the Leica switch, somehow manages to dampen the pressure of your finger so that you dont shake the camera more than is needed. It does this by having an extra large neutral distance until it settles. Electronic switch dont have that, and when you press them more than is needed because -say you are in a hurry- you risk shaking. For me, no softies, nothing on top of that switch. It works as if it is new, except if I want to take a shot using the B setting and a mechanical cord. It just works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 9, 2010 Share #25 Posted June 9, 2010 As several people have noted, this shutter release is different. Different as in not consistent with that legacy. Different as in not smooth, not precise, not well-designed -- not what existed for 50 years. Why defend details of this camera that clearly do not measure up to the legacy? Err.. Legacy? What legacy does an electrical switch have? The shutter release of the film Ms was a mechanical one that set a mechanical process in action. How can that feel the same as the pressing of a switch? The times, they are a-changin'... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share #26 Posted June 9, 2010 tdtaylor..thanks for the take apart info..how do you take the whole top piece off the camera to get to the innards? thanks diogenis..your m9 is obviously different than mine. you must have got one of the good ones. mine isn't up to anyones legacy standards, especially leicas. it's imprecise and grates all the way down..it makes it hard to know where those release points are. it has nothing to do with the accessory buttons you add..which in my case smoothed it out a bit. I revert to the soft option mainly so i don't have to deal with that cruncy shutterbutton. it's downright goofy in a piece of equipment like this.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlatkob Posted June 9, 2010 Share #27 Posted June 9, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Err.. Legacy? What legacy does an electrical switch have? The shutter release of the film Ms was a mechanical one that set a mechanical process in action. How can that feel the same as the pressing of a switch? The times, they are a-changin'... Don't be confused. Diogenis was claiming that to question the M9 shutter is to question a 50 year legacy. As if the M9 shutter has been around for 50 years. My point is just that current shutter button doesn't feel smooth or precise like the legacy. So someone who loves the legacy should presumably question the current button, not defend it as representing the legacy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted June 9, 2010 Share #28 Posted June 9, 2010 Erm, guys my M9 is actually a M8 If your's scratches as it presses, then send it in for service. Seriously the switch is amazing, Im not kidding. Jaap WANTS to use the soft shutter from the menu option, but this is his choice. Even if I had that choice on my M8 I would still used the button as it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted June 9, 2010 Share #29 Posted June 9, 2010 Don't be confused. Diogenis was claiming that to question the M9 shutter is to question a 50 year legacy. As if the M9 shutter has been around for 50 years. My point is just that current shutter button doesn't feel smooth or precise like the legacy. So someone who loves the legacy should presumably question the current button, not defend it as representing the legacy. Well, mine is Zlatkob. And is like some other Leicas I have tested, but I will test a couple more on that matter to see if there are differences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted June 9, 2010 Share #30 Posted June 9, 2010 tdtaylor..thanks for the take apart info..how do you take the whole top piece off the camera to get to the innards? thanks. Actually, the shutter assembly screws as a whole out of the top using the Flexi Clamp I referenced above. You do not need to remove the top, making it fairly easy to deal with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share #31 Posted June 9, 2010 got it..the shutter assembly unscrews from the top. thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share #32 Posted June 9, 2010 you can see that the wear on the button shaft is on both ends, from too much play between it and the tube allowing it to ride at an angle with any side pressure. a simple fix for leica . gonna put a little graphite on it and see what that does. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 9, 2010 Share #33 Posted June 9, 2010 you can see that the wear on the button shaft is on both ends, from too much play between it and the tube allowing it to ride at an angle with any side pressure. a simple fix for leica . gonna put a little graphite on it and see what that does. Hmm, well I wouldn't put graphite or graphite grease near any electrical connections..... I tend to think that because the shutter release gets better with use its because the dull plating of the release button needs to be polished. It will happen naturally if you use the camera. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted June 9, 2010 Share #34 Posted June 9, 2010 Well, I am new to Leica (got my M9 a few days ago) but I am very happy with the shutter release. Smooth, positive steps, and a beautiful finish to the stroke. Compares favourably with my Zeiss Ikon and is infinitely better than my D700 (to be expected, since there is no mirror slap). I have successfully taken shots, hand-held, at 1/4 sec. Maybe I just got a good one ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 9, 2010 Share #35 Posted June 9, 2010 Partly that, Viv, partly perception. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share #36 Posted June 9, 2010 cleaned it up and put a dab of syn oil on the shaft and that definately helped. will check back in 1000 pics from now and see if it's worn in or out. the shutter mechanism itself is extremely smooth...it's just that dang button.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted June 10, 2010 Share #37 Posted June 10, 2010 It is unthinkable for a premium firm, to jeopardize it's fame for a simple mechanical switch. There is a chance however that this switch is really broken, in which case warranty usually fixes the problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share #38 Posted June 10, 2010 Just read a review by Ken Rockwell, in his comparison of the m9 to the m3 comments about the lousy shutter button feel compared to the m3. He called it ratchety and rough, and other things. My original query was to find out if mine was defective, and had I read that review first , would not have bothered to post, as it seems that it,s the norm for the m9.........Unfortunately Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted June 10, 2010 Share #39 Posted June 10, 2010 I just set the camera to "soft, discreet" release, which complete eliminates one of the "steps" and makes it a hair-trigger. Feels much more like an M6 that way. You do lose exposure lock - but who ever shot an M6 with exposure lock? That's why Leica gave us that nice big shutter dial and the aperture click stops on the lens. Switch to manual and use either the internal or an external meter. In other words - shoot the M9 like an M6 and it feels like an M6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samalmoe Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share #40 Posted June 10, 2010 soft seems to be the workaround for this problem. Awfully glad there is a soft. Hmmm.....did they add soft because ......oh never mind..got to try out my new 28 elmarit...on soft of course Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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