Gary Clennan Posted February 5, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 5, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) A simple question but I wanted to find out the main purpose of people using a cable release with their M240. When I do tripod based landscape shots, I typically use aperture priority (don't shoot me) and adjust exposure compensation accordingly. I also use the timer to avoid any unintentional shake. I understand that a cable release would be used in Bulb mode which I have yet to use. I thought a cable release was primarily used for super long timed exposures. With the M240's limit of 60s, this really doesn't come into play. Basically, I am trying to find a reason to buy one but am not sure I need or would use it.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 Hi Gary Clennan, Take a look here Benefit of Cable Release. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jip Posted February 5, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 5, 2014 It's not only to be used in Bulb mode, also just the mode like you say, but without the delay of the auto trigger... It's just a 'remote control' for the shutter release really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted February 5, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 5, 2014 You can use cable realise at any speed. When using long exposure or B (Bulb) you can lock it up. Main reason for cable realise is no need to touch the camera during shooting with instant firing unlike self timer which is timed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil U Posted February 5, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 5, 2014 Landscapes can have decisive moments too! Light breaking through a gap in passing clouds and illuminating a peak, the certain precise moment of a sunrise when the light is just right, the forming of clouds or a flock of birds passing that were unexpected but present themselves for a fleeting moment... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 5, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 5, 2014 For me tripod always means cable release. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Clennan Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted February 5, 2014 Thanks to you all for the quick replies. Much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 5, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 5, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) You should use a cable release at all times with a tripod, to avoid touching the camera and causing any camera shake, and avoiding camera shake is (mostly) the point of using a tripod in the first place (although I sometimes use one simply for convenience, or to maintain a point of composition, or to allow me to make direct eye contact when taking a portrait ). The self timer is a fall back. It works but you're not in control of the precise point of capture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 5, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 5, 2014 Small point - short, stiff releases are entirely self defeating because they push the camera, causing movement. The best release is compliant, usually rather long. Sent from my DEC Alpha 4000. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted February 5, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 5, 2014 A cable release is used on a 35mm camera for the same reasons that it's used on a large format camera. 1. It greatly reduces camera shake 2. It gives you precise control over when to trigger the shutter 3. It allows you, when photographing a person, to communicate in a relaxed, normal way with the subject. The second point is important not just for landscapes (waiting for a lull in the wind, etc.) but also portraits. Combined with the third point, one can have a natural conversation with the subject and trigger the shutter when the shot looks "just right". Leastwise, that's what I learned from using a large format camera, and I find that it carries over very well to smaller formats. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 5, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 5, 2014 The best release is compliant, usually rather long. Unless one can figure out how to trigger remotely. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 5, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 5, 2014 Unless one can figure out how to trigger remotely. Jeff I think you are referring to my complaint that there are no compact remotes that work through the M9 USB. No? Indeed it is a disappointment. Sent from my DEC Alpha 4000. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 5, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 5, 2014 My intent was more general, but that, too. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted February 5, 2014 Share #13 Posted February 5, 2014 Unless one can figure out how to trigger remotely. Jeff Which raises the important point that with the M 240 and the Multifunction Hand Grip, one can also trigger the camera from a laptop screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 5, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 5, 2014 Which raises the important point that with the M 240 and the Multifunction Hand Grip, one can also trigger the camera from a laptop screen. The same is possible with the M9 using a Mac's built-in Image Capture. A major frustration is that the M9 cannot be triggered using common, capable and inexpensive remotes. Sent from my DEC Alpha 4000. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 6, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 6, 2014 For me tripod always means cable release. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bab Posted March 7, 2015 Share #16 Posted March 7, 2015 Just met a guy from Texas claims to be a professional panorama photographer who is now working in (very high end) Camera store. I asked to purchase a cable release for a M240. He replied Leica does not make one, and why would you need one you have a self timer. He proclaimed to make 100 ft panoramas stitching multiple images never using a cable release and all the images line up perfectly. 1. If I had an employee working for me and someone wanted to buy a cable release I would expect the salesman to sell that person one. I would not expect the salesperson to try to impress the customer with his knowledge of cameras, methods of Photography and all of the best friends of his that are famous photographers. (after all he is working in the joint) 2. I'm not sure if Leica makes a cable release specific for the M240 but they have previously made and still offer a cable release. If there is something about Leica you don't know and want to find out I now have met the MAVEN pm me if want the name. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornnb Posted March 7, 2015 Share #17 Posted March 7, 2015 Just met a guy from Texas claims to be a professional panorama photographer who is now working in (very high end) Camera store. I asked to purchase a cable release for a M240. He replied Leica does not make one, and why would you need one you have a self timer. He proclaimed to make 100 ft panoramas stitching multiple images never using a cable release and all the images line up perfectly. 1. If I had an employee working for me and someone wanted to buy a cable release I would expect the salesman to sell that person one. I would not expect the salesperson to try to impress the customer with his knowledge of cameras, methods of Photography and all of the best friends of his that are famous photographers. (after all he is working in the joint) 2. I'm not sure if Leica makes a cable release specific for the M240 but they have previously made and still offer a cable release. If there is something about Leica you don't know and want to find out I now have met the MAVEN pm me if want the name. The big benefit of a cable release, allows shutter speeds beyond 8 seconds, and beyond 60 seconds if you use auto mode. Bulb mode and a stop watch is how landscape was shot for much of the 20th century and it still works best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted March 8, 2015 Share #18 Posted March 8, 2015 Well I am from Texas and do not profess to be a professional but if Leica designed the 240 to accept a cable release then there are some that will work. I have two Leica cable releases that are 20 years old that work great. I believe the only issue is that the release be able to plunge far enough to trip the shutter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 8, 2015 Share #19 Posted March 8, 2015 Bring your 240 to the shop and try a couple releases. One or more will work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 8, 2015 Share #20 Posted March 8, 2015 Those by Hama or cheap Chinese cable releases fit and are as smooth and secure as those I have from Linhof, Sinar etc. When I got my M240 there was a similar debate going on about why the thread in the shutter release was different, but despite trying six different makes (not as many as Pico) I couldn't find one that didn't work, and two are new and very cheap, and four are very old and expensive. As others have said, there are decisive moments in landscape photography that aren't exclusive to using a Leica, they are worth waiting for but often need responding to immediately. I set the camera on a tripod and often wait for the light to change, look at the clouds to see when the sun will peak through, or wait for a branch to settle or gust of wind to create a pattern on water. So a cable release is the tool for catching the perfect moment, and not simply recording that you were there. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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