Are all cable shutter releases the same?

[jayjee]

I need to get a cable shutter release for my Hasselblad 500 C/M soon. There are so many options but they all pretty much seem the same to me...is there really a difference besides price? Which have you found best?

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Yes, there are big differences. The best ones are very supple and won't transmit vibration to the camera if your hand shakes during exposure. I have had this happen with a cheap one that had a stiff plastic coating on the outside. The one i use now is a Prontor cable release, made by the shutter manufacturer. It is so supple that i can tie it in a knot and it still pushes smoothly! and it doesn't shake my camera if i move during exposure. I don't know if they're still made, or what they cost. I got mine when I was 15 at a photo flea market. The man who sold it to me had it in a Vivitar zip-lock filter sleeve, and at the time I assumed it was a cheap Vivitar release. I got it for $5. Later, when i was in college, I discovered that it was a rather costly one that was about $100 new!

I wouldn't buy a cable release mail order....go to a local store and look at....feel..all of them and buy one that's soft and supple, not stiff. A good one will last many, many years so its worth the investment. I still have that Prontor one 17 years after buying it for $5!

[spyder2000]

I second the Prontor. You should look at the mechism provided to lock the shutter open for long periods too. Some use a setscrew; others use a disc you depress with the thumb. These are very convenient and also don't add to the transmitted vibration.

[jayjee]

nice. thanks for the tips so far guys! i was thinking of just getting a cheapy one online but now I'm going to make my way to my camera store and see what they have.

[Roger Hicks]

The extent to which the 'prod' sticks out at the end varies too. Some 'prods' are too short to trigger some cameras -- especially with old second-hand releases where the casing may have stretched.

As a general rule (surprise!) you get what you pay for...

Cheers,

R.