Shutter release by cable

[Infantasy]

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Just bought a cable release 14076 for night shooting but found the release button of my M10P is very sensitive. When I fully pressed the cable release and locked in position to open shutter under Bulb mode, it opened and then closed when there is shaking on the cable release. I cannot repeat the same phenomenon on my Fujifilm XE1 with the same cable release and therefore I believe it is caused by the M10P. Does anyone experience like this? or my M10P fault?

Thanks.

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[farnz]

On bulb mode the M10P shouldn't close the shutter until it receives a signal from the cable release to close the shutter, which usually happens when the photog trips the cable release lock. 

Since not all cable releases are equal it could be that the length of the cable release's 'prong' that extends into the M10P's shutter release button is a little short and is sitting on the M10P's tolerance so shaking the cable release could cause the prong to lose contact with the shutter action when the shutter would close.

The other thing that springs to mind is that the thread pitch inside the M10P's shutter release button could easily different to the thread on your cable release and your cable release is not getting screwed in far enough and what I wrote in the previous paragraph comes into play.  I know from using soft release buttons with my M10 that the shutter release's internal thread is slightly unusual and I think it's tapered so that might be preventing your cable release from connecting properly.

Cable releases are fairly inexpensive so (when Covid rules permit) you might drop into a camera store and try one or two out to see whether they exhibit the same behaviour or if you find one that works flawlessly with your M10P.

Pete.

[tom.w.bn]

Some cable releases are made of rather cheap and soft material that is good to release the shutter but not good to resist the pressure of the shutter mechanism for a longer time. Maybe the Leica shutter mechanism produces more pressure than the  Fuji shutter mechanism? It's enough when the material stretches for only 1mm. 

[Infantasy]

Thanks for all your replies. I have tried both my Leica and Japan made shutter release cables and both can't keep my M10P shutter open if have some shaking or movement on the cable. Wonder if someone here can try on their own M10 or M10P to see if the same phenomenon exists before I contact the local Leica shop. Thank you in advance.

[farnz]

I can't help with the M10P, but I imagine my M10 has the same shutter release parts and assembly, and the little cable release that hides in the bottom of my Minox tripod keeps my M10's shutter open in bulb mode without a problem.  There's no latch on this cable release but the shutter stays open for as long as I have my thumb on the button.

Pete.

[Infantasy]

Thanks Pete. Perhaps I need bringing my M10P to Leica shop to have a check. 

[Peter Kilmister]

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I have a shutter release cable that worked with a Nikon camera I owned in the 1970s that has a screw to fix it open. It works perfectly with my M10-P and M246. Please don't ask where I bought it as I have no idea. I was living in Birmingham at the time so I probably bought it at a camera shop at the foot of Corporation Street, not far from New St Station. It is hardly technical but it still works well. If you wish for more details I can post a photo of it next to a 30 cm (1 foot) ruler. I don't own a micrometer gauge so you would have to try to work out the exact dimensions and thread sizes. 

[david strachan]

There was a long thread on cable release difficulties with Leica cameras, some years ago.  Pico used to show a fat fistfull of them for fun...I'm sure we've all accumulated some. I know my collection is very variable in quality etc.

General agreement by posters in the aforementioned thread was that Nikon cable releases work best with Leica cameras in general and have a better thread match for the different camera models. Mine has a lock screw; all works perfectly.

...

Edited March 15, 2021 by david strachan

[dirksaegerphoto]

I'm very happy with a probably 70 years old cable release that used to belong to my long gone grandad. It looks like new and it says GERMANY on the top button. I looks like a recent Leica cable and I assume it is one. I had never any issues with it on a M10.

[250swb]

It sounds like the cable release isn't screwing in properly. Given how easy it is to lose a cable release for the very reason they aren't meant to screw in very far it's hardly worth buying anything expensive, I have a few and even the cheapest Hama brand screws into my M10 shutter button.