Does anyone know where I can buy a soft release button from in Enland?

-- Yogesh Jeram (Yogeshjeram@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002

Answers

the classic camera in london has them for gbp10,- a piece. they do mail order, i think

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002.

Ask Tom to mail you one. He is selling them worldwide.

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), March 15, 2002.

Too bad you missed Ebay's auction last week. A "rare" M7 soft release went for a mere $330.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 15, 2002.

Just a thought...I don't get these soft release buttons I am seeing. The soft release buttons I've had on my M3 and CL for many years are concave not convex like those pictured. The idea should be to spread the force of the finger as widely as possible, not concentrating it on a high point. Even flat would be better than convex. It's simple physics, no? That said, I can't offer any info on locating a correctly designed soft release.

-- Mike Barber (hax@htc.net), March 15, 2002.

Mike: Check out Tom's site...he explains why his releases are convex. I use Tom's releases on my Leicas and swear by them. I think there are concave releases available out there....maybe another LUGger knows of a site?

-- Ben Hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), March 15, 2002.

I agree. Tom's versions just work better. I even keep a spare in the camera closet just in case one gets lost...

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 15, 2002.

I sent Tom an order by email about three weeks ago and have received no response. Does anyone know what the reason might be? (Incidentally Lutz Konermann's service is also temporarily suspended!)

-- enrique munoz (dem331@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002.

Nikon also make a cute little soft release affair. But not as classy and handmade as Tom's.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), March 15, 2002.

I must be missing something. I don't have any problem just using the Leica's release (or that on any other camera for that matter)without any kind of gadget screwed into it.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), March 15, 2002.

I have one of Tom's release buttons. Just like the ones I tried on my Nikon F and FM many years ago, they just don't work for me ... I tend to jiggle the camera MORE using them than rolling my finger onto the standard release from the release guard that surrounds it. Also, on the M6TTL, I found that the soft release button was causing the meter to be turned on a lot draining batteries.

So I've stopped using it. Others like them ... find them useful ...

Godfrey

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), March 15, 2002.

Ok Mike. You have peaked my interest. Next time I have a chance I'll machine a concave soft release and see how it works. I'll measure the radius of my index finger on an optical comparator and use that as the spherical radius to turn into the release. I'll report back the results.

Steve

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@adelphia.net), March 15, 2002.

Tom, seems obsessed with trying to 'inmprove' the near perfect M - what is wrong with the shutter release button provided and the wind on lever?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 15, 2002.

I don't get the soft releases either. I think they are a pain. They look silly, make accidental photos much easier, and you have to unscrew them to put in a cable release. Still, many like them I do realize. It is all a matter of taste.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

If you look at modern 'ergonomic' camera bodies these days, they will all have finger tip sized shutter buttons, not the classic spindley little tips! That said, its a case of what you are used to. I prefer my M6 with the add on button, but will not advance the film on until I take a picture

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), March 15, 2002.

fieldgrass & gale in london sell tom abrahamsson's soft release buttons (indeed, they may have the world's last supply of the red ones). tom recently sent my wife a very cool soft release for the rolleiflex for beta testing. it is VERY nice.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 15, 2002.

Beta testing a soft release??...I do find that funny!

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

Thanks, Ben, I checked out Tom's site and understand his thinking. It seems to be a matter of technique. I do know that those many years ago when I first used my soft release, it's value was immediately evident. Just like a frame advance lever is better than turning a knob, a soft release DOES allow you to take a picture with less disruption. If someone uses a convex release with just the tip of the finger, it's purpose is somewhat negated. If a convex release is used as Tom describes, it should work well. But who would use an M at slow shutter speeds ;-)

-- Mike Barber (hax@htc.net), March 15, 2002.

The Nikon AR9 release is available in the UK from Speedgraphic (www.speedgraphic.co.uk) for £5.95.

Nigel

-- Nigel Bowley (nigel.bowley@btinternet.com), March 15, 2002.

I want one of those soft releases for a Rolleiflex. Roger, any idea of when Tom plans on selling those?

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002.

I don't get the soft releases either. I think they are a pain.

To Robin, Jay and others who made a similar comment: I used to feel exactly the same way. I even tried a Nikon concave one on my M and hated it. Then I tried one of Tom's releases on my M, and it felt pretty good. So I "beta" tested my own by buying one and using it for an entire day. The next day I went back to the store and purchased another for my second body, and a third as a spare. Tom's just work while the others don't. You should really try one of Tom's before you pooh-pooh them completely...

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 15, 2002.

BTW, Tom Abrahamsson has just started making a new smaller diameter soft release. It was designed mainly for use with the Bessa or Rollieflex, but I've also found it works very well on the R series Leicas (the new button is small enough not to cover over the shutter speed values on the s/s dial surrounding the shutter button).

I've also been using one on a M6TTL - despite initial missgivings it works well there too.

Don't know about availablity of these new buttons (are they still in "beta"?) - best to contact either Tom or Tuulikki directly at rapidwinder.com

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), March 15, 2002.

I'm a big fan of Tom softrelease.

I have it on my M6 and M7.

Without it, something is missing.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), March 15, 2002.

Sure, Lucien brag away with your M7! How about sharing that beauty?

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 15, 2002.

Regarding my earlier comment, in case any one is interested, I received an email today from Tullikki Abrahamsson saying that they had been away at PMA in Florida and NHS in Arizona and are now back.

-- enrique munoz (dem331@yahoo.com), March 16, 2002.