etrigan63 Posted October 21, 2007 Share #21 Posted October 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Please see my post about ergonomics (#17 in this topic). What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you. YMMV. If you have rock-steady hands, can hold your breath for minutes at a time, three legs, and a grip like Spiderman, you don't need any of this stuff. The rest of us who have not been genetically modified for photography use whatever works for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 21, 2007 Posted October 21, 2007 Hi etrigan63, Take a look here Lugi's soft release on the M8?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
squarenegs Posted October 21, 2007 Share #22 Posted October 21, 2007 John: I've used the Luigi shutter button since day one on my M8, the convex model, bright finish. Yes, it can come unscrewed. ...Lost and recovered mine once. I've snugged it down as hard as I dare and have the habit of checking on it as I shoot. It's been fine, so far. I prefer the convex model as I tend to use the flat of my finger, between the tip and first join, rather than the tip to release the shutter. If you use the tip of your finger on the release, I'd say get the concave model. It will be a nice addition to your M8 kit. I have and have had other buttons and I find the Luigi model is the best. Regards, Sam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 21, 2007 Share #23 Posted October 21, 2007 If you have rock-steady hands, can hold your breath for minutes at a time, three legs, and a grip like Spiderman, you don't need any of this stuff. The rest of us who have not been genetically modified for photography use whatever works for us. Interesting theory. I suppose then you would have us conclude that Cartier-Bresson, Burrows, Duncan, Eisenstaedt, Harvey, Winnogrand, et al were/are genetically different than yourself and others here physically, as well as talent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 21, 2007 Share #24 Posted October 21, 2007 Viany, to the best of my knowledge HCB didn't use a hand grip, even though Leica sold one. As has been stated above what suits one person doesn't suit another. I found the soft release very useful prior to the introduction to the M8 as it enabled _me_ to use the knuckle on the first joint of the index finger to very gently press down on the shutter, and yes, I believe this helped me to shoot at longer exposures. That's why I used them on my M2/3/6, I found them useful. With the M8 _I_ didn't find a soft release as useful due to the notchiness of the shutter button so I've stopped using a soft release. What was it about the soft release you didn't like? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted October 21, 2007 Share #25 Posted October 21, 2007 If you have rock-steady hands, can hold your breath for minutes at a time, three legs, and a grip like Spiderman, you don't need any of this stuff. I found myself audibly out of breath during a recent portrait shoot, and suddenly realised that the (bearded philosopher) subject of the shoot might find it a bit weird that the photographer was panting quietly between shots. Had to explain that I find it really difficult not to hold my breath while shooting, and that if I'm taking several shots, it starts to get to me. Is this a common problem? Should we be training like pearl-divers? It was momentarily quite embarrassing... On a related point, I find it impossible to spoon-feed my 10-month-old baby without opening my mouth really wide in sync with his... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 21, 2007 Share #26 Posted October 21, 2007 I just wish all would stop using the term SOFT release. It does absolutely nothing to soften the release of the shutter button. It is simply a shutter button EXTENDER. If that make you feel the shutter button release is softer then that's find, I'm glad it works for you, but it does not change the amount of pressure you need to apply to the button or the actual amount of movement the release button has to travel to release the shutter blades/curtains. Call me old fashion, although I started using a Leica M in 1972 which was quite late in the M game (by about 18 years), but I don't think one of these so called Soft Releases was around then. So I just got use to using the camera as it was and didn't, and still don't, see the need to modify how far above the concaved area of the film advance lever locking ring the shutter button sits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 21, 2007 Share #27 Posted October 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I found myself audibly out of breath during a recent portrait shoot, and suddenly realised that the (bearded philosopher) subject of the shoot might find it a bit weird that the photographer was panting quietly between shots. Had to explain that I find it really difficult not to hold my breath while shooting, and that if I'm taking several shots, it starts to get to me. Is this a common problem? Should we be training like pearl-divers? It was momentarily quite embarrassing... On a related point, I find it impossible to spoon-feed my 10-month-old baby without opening my mouth really wide in sync with his... I breath always. If I find that I need to be more steady, for longer exposure times, then I try to release the shutter on the exhales. I do the same with highpower rifles and that is where I learned this from. Oh and in-between heartbeats. ( I bet you talk in a high voice while feeding also). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 21, 2007 Share #28 Posted October 21, 2007 Ed, the soft release increase the surface area of what you are pressing against, that makes a difference IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted October 22, 2007 Share #29 Posted October 22, 2007 ( I bet you talk in a high voice while feeding also). Oh boy yes. And make chewing motions. Actually one of the best things about having a kid is that it allows you to talk to yourself in public but look like you're actually engaging Junior in important, stimulating conversation. Since I've been talking to myself for some while now, it's reassuring to have a visible prop and not just to look like a loon. And then later on there's the promise of Meccano again! Can't wait... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 22, 2007 Share #30 Posted October 22, 2007 Do they still have Meccano? An uncle of mine bought his daughter a Scalextric for her second birthday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dspeltz Posted October 22, 2007 Share #31 Posted October 22, 2007 Two problems I had with the soft release on the M8. First, if I left it on and put it in the case, the pressure would run out the battery. More important, I lost the fine touch I needed to measure light in shadows and then move the camera into position. I abandoned it. But they are cheap and worth trying to see if you like it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Sanchez Posted October 22, 2007 Share #32 Posted October 22, 2007 Pic: ok, i confess i don't keep up with some of the latest info on the M8, but what the hell is that little chart in your hot shoe? obviously it's for frame lines, but how did it get there? thanks! -skippy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
etrigan63 Posted October 22, 2007 Share #33 Posted October 22, 2007 That's part pf the Thumbs Up (the curvy bit on the back of the camera). The TU is a little gadget invented by Tim Isaac over at RFF that adds a thumb rest ala a shutter cocking lever. The current version comes in two flavors: the Model 1 (for big hands - seen here) and the Model 3 for smaller hands. There is a lot of heated discussion over the merits of the device. It is an entirely personal thing - YMMV. I for one enjoy it immensely and it greatly helps steady my grip on the camera. Tim is working on some new models that have hot shoe passthrough contacts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
etrigan63 Posted October 22, 2007 Share #34 Posted October 22, 2007 Interesting theory. I suppose then you would have us conclude that Cartier-Bresson, Burrows, Duncan, Eisenstaedt, Harvey, Winnogrand, et al were/are genetically different than yourself and others here physically, as well as talent No TD, that was a writing style called hyperbole (extreme exaggeration or overstatement; especially as a literary or rhetorical device). It is not to be taken literally. Certainly all of those famous and most excellent photographers were not born with the knowledge and skills that made them great. They acquired them. I am certain that they all picked up little "tricks" along the way to aid them in their photographic quests. Ansel Adams developed the Zone System to help him create his amazing shots; Isaac Newton invented calculus when regular math couldn't explain the motions of planetary objects; Edison invented the lightbulb because he kept burning his fingers with matches. I do not lump myself anywhere near these geniuses in skill, talent or brain power. But they all did what they did for a reason: to fill a need and make things more convenient for themselves. That humanity benefited as well is a side-note. I use the gadgets I use to make things more convenient for me (seeing as I have sworn off all of the automated niceties that all digital cameras other than the M8 are proliferating) and relate my experiences to other members of LUF. Please note that I never say that YOU (or anyone else for that matter) will benefit from said gadget, gimmick, or technique; only that I benefited/suffered from it and I always end those statements with YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). Please stop picking nits with me. I am trying to help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanyviper Posted April 25, 2010 Share #35 Posted April 25, 2010 All, I've been upset since after putting one of these on and screwing in all the way (not too tight of course), I noticed the actual button with the shaft that it screws into moves a little left and right ...not really up and down or sideways but just in a circle moves a little left and right , I thought for sure that once I screwed this on that it would get to an "end" point and stop and that I would not be able to move the soft release shutter button at all..but it seems a little loose. Anybody else have this issue or should it be completely tight with no movement whatsoever? Thx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted April 25, 2010 Share #36 Posted April 25, 2010 Sorry, but i really think that these "SoftRelease", is someting nobody needs ! Its very ugly and WHY do you need it ? Dont tell me that you can shoot a shorter time with it , than without.. no need to be sorry, i need one though, even it's ugly but that depends which one you buy, of course. sometimes i take pics with the camera whilst it's over my shoulder, kind of incognito secretly. you can stand next to the subject and with a soft release attached and a hand clutching the strap, i can fire the shutter using my wrist or forearm whilst looking in the opposite direction. it takes some practice. i can't do that without a softie attached, sometimes it's very useful and in fact i'm just looking for mine right now... i prefer either a flat topped softie or one that is raised but i think it makes little difference, it's just a preference. on the downside, they emphasise the 'grittiness' of the digital m's shutter release so i don't use one all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1509Abct Posted May 1, 2010 Share #37 Posted May 1, 2010 I can only tell you all what the great Leica repair-person Youix Ye did when he saw a soft release on my Leica M6... he took it off and said... "never - ever use one". And since, without hesitation, I never did. Why, ask him yourself... wye7@yahoo.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamboat Posted May 7, 2010 Share #38 Posted May 7, 2010 I'll jump on board with Olof. Leica makes the best release as it is. Adding anything to it is, well, silly. I use to have a soft-release for my Nikon F's. Those cameras needed a soft release. Leica M? Please. Free your camera and get rid of the soft releases. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted May 8, 2010 Share #39 Posted May 8, 2010 This thread has been running for a while. For what it's worth I have a black concave soft release from Luigi on my silver M8 and really like using it. It makes pressing the shutter release more comfortable, and it seems to help when shooting at slower speeds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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