Can't figure out why the cable release won't fire my M6.

[rpavich]

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I bought a cable release for my M6 and it threads in 80% of the way (it seems tapered on the threaded part) but when I actuate it, nothing happens.

 

I thought maybe that the plunger wasn't going down inside the camera enough so I pulled it out and checked and it's really sticking out, about 1" or so. You'd think that would do it.

 

I can push the shutter down with the plunger sticking out but when I try to use it the correct way, nothing happens.

 

Can someone shed some light on this issue for me?

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[Leica Fanatic]

I'm sure it's a silly question but just to be certain, you have cocked the shutter?

[rpavich]

I'm sure it's a silly question but just to be certain, you have cocked the shutter?

Nope...not silly, and yes, I did.

 

I noticed that when I put the pin all of the way out of the cable release and then just put it in the threaded hole (without actually threading it on)and just push down with the cable, it will actuate the shutter, the whole button goes down, not just what might be in the middle or something. I'm wondering if it's related to that because I can't see how you can have the outer part threaded into the cable housing and then push the inside and expect the whole button to depress.

[Leica Fanatic]

Yep that is odd. Only the middle bit should move using the cable release.

 

Are you able to somehow hold the outer part of the shutter release and try pushing the inner bit with something thin, like a paper clip? It should move very easily.

 

If not, it sounds more like a fault with the shutter release button mechanism?

[madNbad]

Could it be the pin is so long it's forcing the cable to bunch or twist inside of the sleeve insted of sending pressure to trigger the shutter?  The cable I have has a fairly short pin.

[rpavich]

Yep that is odd. Only the middle bit should move using the cable release.

 

Are you able to somehow hold the outer part of the shutter release and try pushing the inner bit with something thin, like a paper clip? It should move very easily.

 

If not, it sounds more like a fault with the shutter release button mechanism?

Yes!

 

I was able to do that.

 

I looked at the diameter of the paper clip and the diameter of the cable release pin and it's much larger so I'm guessing what's happening is that it's not going all of the way down to engage whatever the paper clip can. I'm going to try and sand it down smaller to see if that does it. It was only $8.95, if something bad happens, it's not a disaster.

[rpavich]

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Could it be the pin is so long it's forcing the cable to bunch or twist inside of the sleeve insted of sending pressure to trigger the shutter?  The cable I have has a fairly short pin.

Looks like at least for now, it's diameter problems. Could be when I get it working it will also be too long too.

[Leica Fanatic]

Yes!

 

I was able to do that.

 

I looked at the diameter of the paper clip and the diameter of the cable release pin and it's much larger so I'm guessing what's happening is that it's not going all of the way down to engage whatever the paper clip can. I'm going to try and sand it down smaller to see if that does it. It was only $8.95, if something bad happens, it's not a disaster.

Excellent, that sounds promising.

 

If your cable release has a lock you can set it with the end sticking out and file a good inch all the way round with a fine needle file (or even a nail file).

[rpavich]

Well, that was it; the diameter.

 

It works now, but it's ugly. I did it with a dremel and so it's not pretty but that's what was wrong.

I'll take it to work tomorrow and fix it up a bit but for now, it's enough to know what was wrong. I might just look on ebay for one that's a smaller diameter too.

 

Thanks for the help!

[Leica Fanatic]

Well, that was it; the diameter.

 

It works now, but it's ugly. I did it with a dremel and so it's not pretty but that's what was wrong.

I'll take it to work tomorrow and fix it up a bit but for now, it's enough to know what was wrong. I might just look on ebay for one that's a smaller diameter too.

 

Thanks for the help!

That's good news and better an $8 accessory than a $$$ camera repair.

[david strachan]

There were some posts a while back about cable releases on Leica cameras causing damage to the female thread on the camera. Also they were not threading into the camera, seating properly. The suggestion was to only buy Nikon Cable Releases.

I have several cable releases and some are a bit "loose" and don't work very smoothly...although all do "work".

 

Since I got a Nikon release the mechanism, and the attaching is much better.

 

cheers Dave S

[250swb]

Looks like at least for now, it's diameter problems. Could be when I get it working it will also be too long too.

 

The pin of the cable release can't be too long, it will only go as far as the internal mechanism allows.

 

As regards the diameter of the pin it would be unusual to find a cable release that doesn't conform to the standard size unless it is a specialist release for a large format camera shutter where the pin is meant to trigger a lever so could arguably work better with a larger diameter pin. But I've never come across one like that. Of course the common problem comes when new photographers don't realise cable releases have locks, I've seen it happen on photography workshops many times the look of bafflement when nothing happens.

 

 

Steve

[rpavich]

I also took a chance and bought a vintage Kodak self timer from ebay.

 

It's a little box that has a plunger and a timer and when the timer goes off (all mechanical) it pushes the plunger down, thus pushing the cable release button, and fires the shutter.

 

It may not work but it's just for fun.

[250swb]

Nothing as exciting as whirring gears and springs unwinding to add to the drama, I hope it does work.

[rpavich]

The pin of the cable release can't be too long, it will only go as far as the internal mechanism allows.

 

As regards the diameter of the pin it would be unusual to find a cable release that doesn't conform to the standard size unless it is a specialist release for a large format camera shutter where the pin is meant to trigger a lever so could arguably work better with a larger diameter pin. But I've never come across one like that. Of course the common problem comes when new photographers don't realise cable releases have locks, I've seen it happen on photography workshops many times the look of bafflement when nothing happens.

 

 

Steve

It's possible that I bought one intended for large format but it didn't say that.