Soft Release screw in shutter buttons

[Hamish Gill]

Some people may have noticed a discussion between my self and Shifty Pete in the thread about the "Thumbs Up" thumb rest for the x100
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/threads/2107-Thumbs-Up-for-the-Fuji-X100

I shall quote Petes description of what they are for

The soft-release raises the actuating position of the shutter release making it easier to trigger as you're not pressing 'into' the housing (if you get my meaning). This means that you can either use the new, larger surface (not much advantage) or you can rest the tip of your forefinger on the shutter speed control dial (I'm obviously talking Leica M and other 'traditional' cameras - I assume the ergonomics would be similar on the X100) and operate the shutter release using the pad between the first and second joint of your finger by gently straightening out your finger. So the action becomes less of a press and more of a squeeze (as in classic rifle shooting technique) - I know you can / should do this anyway but the soft-release makes it easier and means you finger is always on the the shutter speed dial (useful if you are shooting manual or in aperture-priority mode - there is no other option on a Leica). I was skeptical of this and have tried both the Beep, Bip and the Boop (well, they have to called something I suppose) and they do indeed work. Although the Beep is probably better suited to the technique, I preferred the Boop. The only down-side of these devices is that it is very easy to trip the release accidentally while carrying the camera.

Well I subsequently bought one from ebay for £4.90
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mini-Soft...ultDomain_3&hash=item230cf1e6f5#ht_970wt_1139

I have had a few days use with it now, I have tried it on my voigtlander vito b, R2A and now the fuji x100 so thought i would share my thoughts.

I can definitely confirm that they do fulfill exactly what Pete described.
Because the tip of your finger rests on the camera on the opposite side of your grip and you push down with your joint, the required pressure appears less.

The upshot of this is that the camera remains much steadier when the shot is fired ...
Holding the camera in one hand and watching the camera as i push the button it is actually visibly more stable!
I would definitely recommend one of these to anyone who has a camera with threaded shutter botton

 

[Oliver Lee-Haswell]

Not sure if this would be the right place to post, but i wonder if anyone knows who the importers of these objects are?

We sell the X100, and will soon have M7/M8/M9 cameras in (when they arrive from Leica!!) and these along with the thumbs up sound like a good little addon sale. (I will look in to it more, i was just wondering if anyone knew who distributes them)

otherwise i think i might end up getting some from ebay myself !!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Match Technical are one of the manufactures http://matchtechnical.com/Beep.aspx who also make the thumbs up ...
They are a little more expensive at £15 (from Robert white at least) but if your are looking to stock (already stock??) the thumbs up this would seem the logical place to source them

I should point out that mine came slightly imperfect with a very minor scratch to the finish and i wouldnt want to try and sell it as a product, id imagine the Match Technical ones would be a bit better quality...

Do you stock the thumbs up?

 

[Hamish Gill]

If you do get them in, you might have a customer ...

 

[Oliver Lee-Haswell]

Match Technical are one of the manufactures http://matchtechnical.com/Beep.aspx who also make the thumbs up ...
They are a little more expensive at £15 (from Robert white at least) but if your are looking to stock (already stock??) the thumbs up this would seem the logical place to source them

I should point out that mine came slightly imperfect with a very minor scratch to the finish and i wouldnt want to try and sell it as a product, id imagine the Match Technical ones would be a bit better quality...

Do you stock the thumbs up?

was just a thought at the moment, will wait to see if customers want that sort of addon (although it looks very good).

will see if we can get them in and will send e-mails if we do.

however from using soft releases on my Nikon f's /f2's i love them (even with the odd shot of the camera bag insides!)

 

[Hamish Gill]

yes, i noticed that the Fuji ERC presses the button when i close it ... ill have to be careful as i have a habit of leaving cameras switched on!