Soft shutter release Poll

[250swb]

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I wonder how many wasted frames of film they are responsible for, or drained batteries? Either way cameras with soft release buttons and camera bags don't mix.

 

The effect is more psychological than physical. Masking the tactile point where the shutter is released makes you think the release has been smoother. You could get the same effect when driving by having a house brick tied to each of your pedals, it would all feel effortless, but without any of the finesse that is needed to drive safely.

 

Many photographers can weigh many things up at the exact point the shutter releases, did they move the camera, are they happy with what they got in the split second, etc. But I think a soft release disconnects the photographer from those sensations. Yes sure enough you still know the point at which the shutter fired, but the nerve endings don't transmit that information to the brain in the same way, its like a slower recognition of what happened, not living in that 125th of a second but arriving in the brain like an echo of it.

 

And that is why I don't like them.

 

Steve

[wizard]

Never used one for over 40 years of M photography, and never missed one either.

 

Andy

[wda]

I tried one with my M6; lost it; didn't replace it and never felt the need for one on my M8 or M9. Even with arthritic fingers I find the designed releases perfectly adequate and smooth in operation.

[pharyngula]

Many photographers can weigh many things up at the exact point the shutter releases, did they move the camera, are they happy with what they got in the split second, etc. But I think a soft release disconnects the photographer from those sensations. Yes sure enough you still know the point at which the shutter fired, but the nerve endings don't transmit that information to the brain in the same way, its like a slower recognition of what happened, not living in that 125th of a second but arriving in the brain like an echo of it.

 

I'm glad to hear there may be some solid neuroscience behind the argument against the use of softies. Capture of the "decisive moment" within that 125th of a second may be put at risk by depressing a softie - I hadn't 't thought of that.

 

Seriously though, a softie's utility runs the gamut from a simple cosmetic embellishment of one's camera (bling) to an ergonomically more satisfying modification that some feel improves their ability to shoot at slower shutter speeds. The latter requires a bit of experimentation and, ultimately, personal convincing that it does afford improvements in one's shooting. I don't know about the bricks tied to pedals analogy but it seems to me a more apt comparison would be a handgrip or Thumbs-up. The user perceives they help, and perhaps they do - even if the reason might be more psychological than quantifiable.

 

But for many I assume a softie makes no difference whatsoever except as a little expressive splash of color.

 

Doug

[earleygallery]

I prefer to have my jeweller fit a nicely cut diamond into the cable thread recess. It sets the camera off rather nicely.

 

The diamond is stealthy but if you like the red dot you can of course go with a ruby.

[charlesphoto99]

Tried but they always came unscrewed or ran the battery down. But for the people that alway feel the need to have very last accessory I'm sure they're great...

[2wk]

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I tried an abrahamsson mini on my M6 ttl and was always taking accidental shots. I moved it to my Xpro and it has been there ever since. I love the combo on the fuji, although I had to use a mini rubber o-ring to fill in the gap as it didn't thread all the way in. When I got an MM I thought about trying another, but I find the shutter release so nice that I won't bother.

[jdlaing]

Never used one for over 40 years of M photography, and never missed one either.

 

Andy

 

If you hadn't used it how can you miss it?

[250swb]

I'm glad to hear there may be some solid neuroscience behind the argument against the use of softies. Capture of the "decisive moment" within that 125th of a second may be put at risk by depressing a softie - I hadn't 't thought of that.

 

....I don't know about the bricks tied to pedals analogy but it seems to me a more apt comparison would be a handgrip or Thumbs-up. The user perceives they help, and perhaps they do - even if the reason might be more psychological than quantifiable.

 

Well not really Doug. A Thumbs Up replaces the film advance lever that has been used since it was first invented as a thumb brace to get a good grip on the camera. No photojournalist of a certain age hasn't used it for overhead shots, or when wearing gloves on a cold day. It is a fundamental means of holding the camera. A naked digital M is slippery in comparison, so needs something to achieve the same function. Perhaps you are not experienced enough yet to appreciate the advantages of something like that?

 

As for sarcastically doubting a softie could interfere with the decisive moment, consider the 64 seconds you would have to wait with a digital M if the shutter had gone off in the camera bag while you were scrabbling to take it out for your Pulitzer Prize winning photograph,.... well, lets just say you would have missed it (cue gratuitous 'rolley eyes')

 

(FFS, the quality of one-upmanship on the forum is beginning to make it suck, it's just not necessary)

 

 

Steve

[hoppyman]

Olaf how can a soft release button increase the risk of damage to the shutter release?

 

I disagree with your opinion that they're only 'pointless toys' or useful to those with arthritic or otherwise handicapped fingers. There's nothing wrong with holding different opinions and having different preferences but you can't presume to speak as fact for everyone.

Some photographers like to use them and others not, that's fine. Of course you can operate the camera properly either way.

 

Your analogy about parcels is just silly in my opinion. A more valid comparison might have been with target shooting. I mean trigger operation and design as part of the firearm and shooter operation. Profile of the trigger surface, width, shape, surface are all relevant there and you need excellent technique and a precision mechanism at the highest levels..

 

Other factors that may actually influence how soft shutter release buttons work might be:

The physical characteristics of the individual shutter release mechanism (travel, smoothness, stages for example)

What method the photographer uses to press the release (which part of the finger, what technique for example).

There are also multiple design buttons varying in profile (convex, concave, flat (?) ) and in area and height.

 

Of course all is within the framework of camera settings and photographer technique. Any advantage or perceived advantage (as with lens theoretical capability) may be significant...or not

 

The extra protrusion and area of the buttons can make accidental releases more likely, yes and you can lose them more easily from the new camera certainly since there is less thread engagement. I've done both.

 

Individuals can decide how to manage things like that of course and whether they think that the buttons are worthwhile. I like them personally and prefer to use them.

[pharyngula]

Well not really Doug. A Thumbs Up replaces the film advance lever that has been used since it was first invented as a thumb brace to get a good grip on the camera. No photojournalist of a certain age hasn't used it for overhead shots, or when wearing gloves on a cold day. It is a fundamental means of holding the camera. A naked digital M is slippery in comparison, so needs something to achieve the same function. Perhaps you are not experienced enough yet to appreciate the advantages of something like that?

 

As for sarcastically doubting a softie could interfere with the decisive moment, consider the 64 seconds you would have to wait with a digital M if the shutter had gone off in the camera bag while you were scrabbling to take it out for your Pulitzer Prize winning photograph,.... well, lets just say you would have missed it (cue gratuitous 'rolley eyes')

 

(FFS, the quality of one-upmanship on the forum is beginning to make it suck, it's just not necessary)

 

 

Steve

 

Steve, no sarcasm or one upmanship intended, just an attempt at humor (with regards to the decisive moment and neurotransmission) that obviously missed the mark. Your point about losing a shot to tripped shutter in bag is not lost on me but my response was directed at the conjecture that a softie might interfere with one's ability to capture a shot (or perhaps the zen of M shooting). Whether a softie has a useful role in assisting at lower shutter speeds is debatable I suppose - I simply feel that it does for me. Given the low cost of admission, I don't see what could hold one back from trying it for themselves if they are at all curious.

 

In my general defense I must point out that I am old as dirt to some - and hard as it may be to believe, I have been shooting cameras with that film lever thingy since the 60s. My film M's have been adorned with softies at various points and not being a photojournalist with a need for speed, I try and remember to keep my film M's un-cocked whilst in bag to avoid accidental release. And yes, a Thumbs-Up has found a place on both my M9-P and M8.2 before that. Softie or Thumbs-Up, I view them both as unnecessary accommodations but I feel they do extend capabilities and improve the experience or at least the ergonomics.

 

Whether any of this makes me "experienced enough" for this forum I wouldn't hazard to guess but perhaps you'll forgive any offense from my earlier post particularly given that none was intended. After all, we are just espousing opinions about using a softie, which I can't help but feel is a rather low stakes decision.

 

best,

 

Doug

[Guest Mr. B]

I have thought about buying one. I know that there are several models which seem to be the best? Which should be avoided?

Mr. B

[david strachan]

I have thought about buying one. I know that there are several models which seem to be the best? Which should be avoided?

Mr. B

 

Avoid all of them. They are just silly.

cheers Dave S

[adespen]

I use one from Tim Isaac on the M-E and have Teflon tape over the thread to tighten it. Like it very much though if I wanted to shoot with a cable release I can't.

[charlesphoto99]

As for sarcastically doubting a softie could interfere with the decisive moment, consider the 64 seconds you would have to wait with a digital M if the shutter had gone off in the camera bag while you were scrabbling to take it out for your Pulitzer Prize winning photograph,.... well, lets just say you would have missed it (cue gratuitous 'rolley eyes')

 

(FFS, the quality of one-upmanship on the forum is beginning to make it suck, it's just not necessary)

 

 

Steve

 

Of course this beggars the question: why was the camera inside a bag in the first place!

[Naper]

Nope Not for me.

[platypus]

Just a couple of weeks ago I received a really pretty little one of these as a gift for the M9.

Unfortunately, once attached to the the camera, it seemed a bit of a clunky thingy and fairly

pointless. It's now back in it's flash little presentation box and in the drawer.

[Chazphoto]

Relative newbie here, but I was lucky enough to find a very elegant red dragon on black match Technical boop with the secondhand Thumps Up I bought. It looks beautiful, but raises the height of the release in a way I find uncomfortable. Anyone else observe that (in addition to the slight feeling of disconnection)?

 

So far, the ordinary release is smooth enough for my level of ability. The boop will remain for "dress" occasions!

 

Cheers

 

Chazphoto

[Paul J]

I use the soft shutter camera setting and like it.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Dougg]

Have my M2 since '67... And long ago had some exposure to the softie effect with a fine cable release (I think from Linhof) that had a detachable softie-like block at one end I forget the purpose of. But it had a dished top and could be used independently of the cable, which threaded into it. Using it as a softie was awkward due to the extra height, wasted some film, and provided no perceptible benefit. I am not a softie fan, though there are some cute designs.