kivis Posted July 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Soft release or mini soft release? Concave or convex? Black or another color? Or do you hate them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 19, 2012 Posted July 19, 2012 Hi kivis, Take a look here Soft release or mini soft release?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kokoshawnuff Posted July 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 19, 2012 I love the Abrahamsson mini on my M3 and M2, but it's gritty on my M7 (perhaps to do with the electronic shutter). I can get good photos down to 1/2 second with one of the softies...that number goes up to about 1/8th without. Worth a try for the $15 (though they aren't for everyone) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted July 19, 2012 Share #3 Posted July 19, 2012 I've been toying with the idea of a soft release too. I find that if I don't depress the shutter button on my M6TTL quite "vertically" with my fingertip but more diagonally, it doesn't fire until I begin to release the button. Perhaps this can be adjusted? Or is the button supposed to react only when one presses really vertically? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted July 19, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 19, 2012 I tried a soft-release button on my M9 for a few weeks (full size, convex) ... but then stopped using it, as it interferes with my ability to release softly. I can release much softer without soft-release button. The trick is not to push the button with the tip of the index finger. Instead, put the index finger's pad on the rim of the collar surrounding the release button ... or on the rim of the shutter-speed dial if you have big fingers. This way, the joint between the index finger's first and second phalanx will come to rest right over the release button. Now press the button by just stretching the finger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted July 19, 2012 I've tried soft releases on my M9 and M6, and didn't like them. As others noted "rolling" the finger gives a nice soft press without a raised button. However, my M5 has longer travel due to the meter flag mechanism, and has to push farther/harder than the other Ms. This is the one camera I've found that benefits from the soft release. (It could likely be adjusted by a good tech to release more like my other Ms, but the release I already had was cheaper.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted July 19, 2012 I really like using them on almost any camera that has a threaded shutter button. But IMHO do NOT use them with the M7. Also avoid using them in a chaotic crowd as they may get caught on something and damage your camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digbyhp Posted July 19, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) +1 on not using them on an M7. I used a big concave one on mine for several months - I quite liked it but then suddenly it started to jam intermittently. Took it off and the jamming became less frequent and eventually stopped altogether. The techs on the forum might be able to explain that one, but thank goodness I didn't need to take it in for service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted July 19, 2012 +1 on not using them on an M7. I used a big concave one on mine for several months - I quite liked it but then suddenly it started to jam intermittently. Took it off and the jamming became less frequent and eventually stopped altogether. The techs on the forum might be able to explain that one, but thank goodness I didn't need to take it in for service.I am told the shutter pin on the M7 is quite fragile so that a soft release can easily wack it out of alignment. so a no no. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted July 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 20, 2012 the bip works great on my M7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 20, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 20, 2012 The big convex on M3 and MP work well for me, when lost (major drawback) or forgotten, the technique described by 01af for slow speeds. The mini on the R7 (recommended in an earlier thread) was a revelation. It greatly improved my handling of the camera with it's release otherwise totally flush with the speed dial. Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted July 20, 2012 the bip works great on my M7What's a bip? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted July 21, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 21, 2012 I had one of Tom Abrahamsson's soft releases for my MP and lost it on a shoot. I was going to replace it till I talked to a well known Leica repair specialist about soft releases. This M camera technician has repaired several M cameras over the years that were dropped on their top plate with a soft release attached, or had the soft release hit or smacked while attached and in use. The damage caused to the inner workings of the cameras was "astounding" (the technician's word choice) costing the camera owner several hundred dollars to set right in each case. Diagonal impact to the attached soft release causes the worst damage, according to my source. Since accidents with soft releases attached are particularly destructive to M cameras, I will no longer use them. This is unfortunate, as I liked the extra height they gave to my shutter release. The extra height was nice but it was simply not worth the potential carnage to my MP's innards. Sorry to rain on your parade, soft release lovers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted July 22, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 22, 2012 The bip is a small soft release made by Match Technical and sold by Popflash Photo, among others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted July 22, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 22, 2012 Tried one on my MP and binned it the same day. It completely changed the feel of the release. Piece of junk, imo. Work on perfecting your technique instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted July 22, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 22, 2012 Said it before. ... In my experience, I found it helpful in extreme slow shutter conditions below 1/8 sec, otherwise ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digbyhp Posted July 22, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 22, 2012 Said it before. ... In my experience, I found it helpful in extreme slow shutter conditions below 1/8 sec, otherwise ..... I've also been able to get acceptable results down to 1/8 sec without soft-release. So I guess the lesson here could be... maybe just use the s-r on a selective basis, i.e., when you really think you need below 1/8 sec (just my personal limit) - there's no rule to say it has to be on there all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted July 22, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 22, 2012 I find it reduces fine control over the shutter release. I've abandoned mine altogether. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted July 22, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 22, 2012 I find it really useful for smooth release. I have the tip of my finger on the top of the shutter speed dial and lower the back of my knuckle onto the release and it trips with barely any movement. We're all different so give one a try but just get a cheapo thing of ebay before spending a lot on a hand crafted design. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted July 22, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 22, 2012 I've also been able to get acceptable results down to 1/8 sec without soft-release. So I guess the lesson here could be... maybe just use the s-r on a selective basis, i.e., when you really think you need below 1/8 sec (just my personal limit) - there's no rule to say it has to be on there all the time. Very true. Still, we have no control over camera accidents - as hard as we work to prevent them, they still happen. That's why they are called accidents. I've had two accidents in nine years of Leica use, both requiring repair. This, in spite of my best efforts - and I'm very careful. It seems that our friend Mr. Murphy never sleeps. My vote goes not to the soft release but to perfecting your technique as honcho advocates. YMMV. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 22, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 22, 2012 I might reconsider having a soft release permanently on my MP, given the information of the potential additional damage (despite having banged a M2 on the top plate once, wo/softie). I am less worried for my beaten M3, where an MR Meter lives on top most of the time and would take the impact. The extra height of the soft release feels nice and TA's really bind flush with the release button, making the whole thing feeling solid and responsive. Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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