Re: [Leica] Soft release question

[TTAbrahams@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/2/99 10:08:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
nathan.wajsman@euronet.be writes:

<< Subj:     [Leica] Soft release question
 Date:  9/2/99 10:08:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time
 From:  nathan.wajsman@euronet.be (Nathan Wajsman)
 Sender:    owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
 Reply-to:  <A 
HREF="mailto:leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us">leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca
.us</A>
 To:    leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us (LUG)
 
 Friends,
 
 I have a question which shows I am a true neurotic...Both my M3 and my
 M6s are fitted with Tom's soft releases. I am in the habit of always
 putting the cameras in the bag with the shutter uncocked to avoid
 battery drain and wasted frames. The question is, can the shutter
 release be damaged if the camera is in the bag and there is pressure on
 the soft release for long periods of time?
 
 Nathan
  >>
Nathan, There is no problem with the shutter release being pressed down for 
extended periods of time. In case of the M3 it is strictly a mechanical 
function and the release does not care if it is up or down. In case of the 
M6, all that happens is that you hold the shutter-release down and as the 
camera is uncocked when you put it in the bag, there is no electronic switch 
wear either. Only problem that can occur is if you drop the camera with the 
shutter cocked and the release is pressed down sufficiently to turn on the 
meter, but not enough to release the shutter. The M6 then tries to take a 
reading of the interior of the bag and can drain the battery. I have found 
that this is less likely to happen with the Softrelease than without it. With 
the Softrelease it usually triggers the camera (because of the larger surface 
and slightly taller release), without the Softrelease you can have the 
release pushed down to the level of the surrounding cup, just enough to 
trigger the meter, but not deep enough to release the camera.
All the best,
Tom A