Q2 remote cable release?

[Charlie F.]

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On my Nikon D850 there are multiple ways to remote trigger the shutter. I prefer a cable release, which for me works perfectly for the occasional times I need one.

However, as a relative newbie to Leica, I'm less sure of its capabilities in that field. I'd like to try some kind of remote trigger on my Q2. Is there such a thing as a cable release (or equivalent) and if so how would it be used?

Edited May 24, 2020 by Charlie F.

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[marchyman]

There is no way to attach a mechanical release to the Q/Q2 unless you make something.  I did that a few years ago for the Q and posted about it including a 3D print design. I don't know if that design will fit the Q2.  Your other choice is to use the Leica Fotos App.   I think that is the name of the latest/greatest app.   However, I found the use of older versions of the app unacceptable.   There was too much shutter delay and the camera used auto focus even though I'd set the focus manually.  I haven't tried the app in over a year.  Perhaps things are different, now.

[Charlie F.]

Thanks for the quick response!

There are no obvious connections on the Q2, hence my query. I do have the Leica Fotos app on my iPhone [v2.1] though, so I'll have to play around with that method. I also use manual focus all the time, so will be looking to make sure the app mirrors my settings on the camera.

[w44neg]

5 hours ago, Charlie F. said:

Thanks for the quick response!

There are no obvious connections on the Q2, hence my query. I do have the Leica Fotos app on my iPhone [v2.1] though, so I'll have to play around with that method. I also use manual focus all the time, so will be looking to make sure the app mirrors my settings on the camera.

Yes unfortunately the Leica photos app is the only option. It's pretty slick with the way it works though in general, although I haven't used it for one exposure.

[malbooth]

Hi, I do a lot of long exposures and slow shutter release images from a small tripod. I've done this on both the Q and now the Q2 using the Self Timer setting for 2 secs. On the Q2 that 2 sec delay will helpfully stay on between shots (you had to keep re-setting it on the Q, although maybe a later firmware release fixed that), but it reverts to Off if you turn the camera off. When I do this I am mostly using Manual focus. Using AF may not always give the result you want. It seems to work well for me. There is also a 12 sec delay setting.

I've gotten used to it now on the Q2, even though I still use a cable release on my Canon 5D.

[Leica Guy]

8 hours ago, Charlie F. said:

Thanks for the quick response!

There are no obvious connections on the Q2, hence my query. I do have the Leica Fotos app on my iPhone [v2.1] though, so I'll have to play around with that method. I also use manual focus all the time, so will be looking to make sure the app mirrors my settings on the camera.

Charlie, The FOTOS App only works in AF. I have complained strongly to the Leica SW development team about this. It totally ignores it if you’ve put the camera in MF. Extremely frustrating for me because I often pre-focus doing macro or hummingbird photography. I love the Q2. I’d love a simple remote release, but none exists and there’s no I/O to plug one in anyway. FOTOS has a 7 second delay between shots as it syncs with the iPhone. FOTOS also ignores any setting for multiple or continuous shutter. Very frustrating. I hope you have a better experience. Maybe you’ll discover a workaround. Please post if you do. 

[Charlie F.]

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12 hours ago, Leica Guy said:

Charlie, The FOTOS App only works in AF. I have complained strongly to the Leica SW development team about this. It totally ignores it if you’ve put the camera in MF. Extremely frustrating for me because I often pre-focus doing macro or hummingbird photography. I love the Q2. I’d love a simple remote release, but none exists and there’s no I/O to plug one in anyway. FOTOS has a 7 second delay between shots as it syncs with the iPhone. FOTOS also ignores any setting for multiple or continuous shutter. Very frustrating. I hope you have a better experience. Maybe you’ll discover a workaround. Please post if you do. 

Thanks for the info. I played around with the app... and as you say, it only works in AF. I only use MF on my Q2. There seems to be no way to change that either which is a shame. The result - using the touch screen to direct the focus - turned out to be fairly acceptable (sharpness was excellent), though from a practical standpoint, not ideal. It appeared to be a huge battery drain (on both the iPhone and camera) so it's not a practical long-term solution for me.

I'm wondering if the timer delay option is an alternate, albeit half-assed solution?

In the meantime, for serious long exposure work I'll go back to the Nikon D850 while I experiment further.

Edited May 25, 2020 by Charlie F.

[johntobias]

Kaiser make a little Velcro belt with a cable release socket on top, about £10 and solves the problem albeit in a heath Robinson manner

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[Gers]

Not any more they don't!

[johntobias]

11 minutes ago, Gers said:

Not any more they don't!

shame, it solved a problem but I expect an equally good solution could be made with a cheap cable release, a bit of plastic some velcro and some epoxy!

 

[Hurlow]

Any updates on this? It does seem that (right around this time a couple years ago) Leica upgraded its app, stating:’

“

Remote Settings

Based on further feedback, the Remote shooting function has been changed to better reflect the needs of users. Previous versions of Leica FOTOS would set the camera into Program-Auto exposure mode. Now with Leica FOTOS 2.1 all camera settings already dialed in on the camera (manual exposure, aperture priority, exposure compensation, etc.) will be maintained upon connecting to the Remote function. Settings adjusted through the Remote will also be carried back to the camera upon disconnecting from the app, with the only exception being exposure values that have dedicated hardware controls on the camera such as the ISO dial on Leica M10 cameras.”

 

Does this seem to work acceptably? I’m debating getting the Q2 for mostly night shooting, some with long shutter speeds. With my Nikons  I have always used a cable remote, but I’m open to the app or timer if these will allow full use of manual controls. If not, I suppose I’ll look elsewhere.

[jaapv]

You'll find that cameras that take cable remote releases are very few these days...

[Hurlow]

14 minutes ago, jaapv said:

You'll find that cameras that take cable remote releases are very few these days...

You are certainly right- though I am still curious whether people who use long exposures and have used them in the past find Leica’s new(er) app works well with the manual controls (commenters above found the first version to be lacking in that regard).

[jaapv]

I must admit, certainly compared to the time that 800 ISO was a reasonable maximum for both film and digital, the use of a cable release is never needed. Shooting at speeds like ISO 12.500 poses no problem with AI post processing, and when on a tripod,, a 12 sec delay is quite useful  

y 

[Vesp]

On 5/24/2020 at 6:29 PM, marchyman said:

There is no way to attach a mechanical release to the Q/Q2 unless you make something.  I did that a few years ago for the Q and posted about it including a 3D print design. I don't know if that design will fit the Q2.  Your other choice is to use the Leica Fotos App.   I think that is the name of the latest/greatest app.   However, I found the use of older versions of the app unacceptable.   There was too much shutter delay and the camera used auto focus even though I'd set the focus manually.  I haven't tried the app in over a year.  Perhaps things are different, now.

Hello,

 

Do you have a link to this please?

[marchyman]

Answered in email (assuming Vesp is the same person who emailed me 🙂 )  Also, see this thread ==> 

 

[ianforber]

I use the app to fire the shutter when the camera is mounted on the tripod. Works well for me and I often have exposures of over 30secs. The reversion to AF has been fixed now

[ianforber]

I use the app to fire the shutter when the camera is mounted on the tripod. Works well for me and I often have exposures of over 30secs. The reversion to AF has been fixed now

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[Moke]

Re:  Q2

As has been mentioned, the self timer is very good for some applications....Only.

I like to use IR, and the exposures are long. So by putting the camera on a solid object or tripod and using the self timer. Camera shake is no problem.

For most folk, I think the app is best suited. Shame their does not seem to be a wireless/bluetooth release?