Re: [Leica] Tom Abrahamsson's Softies [Was: My first M: notes & questions]

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

Everything you manages to say here pretty much is the direct opposite of
what really happens. It doesn't soften anything. It is a hard release, just
immensely more convenient. It allows the shutter to be gently released with
all parts of the finger or thumb. This is a very well known procedure,
popularized on the M camera by Black Star & NG photographer (and
occasionally LUGger) Fred Ward. It actually allows you to hold the camera
vertically, resting in the palm of your right hand, and squeeze the release
with the first joint of your thumb. Dead still. Nothing moves. Likewise
horizontal, using the flat of your index finger rather than having to crook
it around and poke the tip down in to affect a release.

There's no thinking about it... it just plain works.

Jim


At 04:58 PM 10/25/98 -0500, you wrote:
>How much improvement, excepting when wearing gloves, does such a "soft
>release" make to an M?   I've used so-called soft releases on other
>marques before, but never gave the slightest thought to the Leica needing
>its release softened.  In fact, I would think that anything which
>protrudes above the release would make it more likely to jar the camera
>whilst tripping the shutter, than squeezing the "regular" button into its
>saucer-like seat with the pad of the finger.   I've been shooting Leica
>for almost 40 years with the factory "hard release" and I really want to
>know if I've been missing a great thing.
>
>Regards,
>Nigel