Gray softie for M9?

[johnastovall]

Will we see a gray softie to match the new gray M9?

[fergus]

Luigi has a stainless one... won't that match already?

[Tom A]

I did do a series of "gun-metal" grey Softies some years ago. None left, but if the demand is there it can be done!

[RichC]

How about Tim Isaac's (matchTechnical) bug instead!?

I've got one coming for my M8!

[Tom A]

Hmm. considering the track record for Leica's digital efforts. Do you really want to put a "bug" on the top of the camera too!!!!!

[inzite]

Originally Posted by RichC

How about Tim Isaac's (matchTechnical) bug instead!?

I've got one coming for my M8!

i just got mine today in the mail! looks absolutely wonderful on my m6! it'll look awesome on a m8 as well! lol.

[Damaso]

I'd be up for a gunmetal gray softie!

[Cyriljay]

I have heard lot of bad things about this gadget and I never want this one on my cameras. But what is real the advantage of this button over the original function on camera release itself?

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Cyriljay

I have heard lot of bad things about this gadget and I never want this one on my cameras. But what is real the advantage of this button over the original function on camera release itself?

Extra stability

[Timmyjoe]

Originally Posted by Cyriljay

I have heard lot of bad things about this gadget and I never want this one on my cameras. But what is real the advantage of this button over the original function on camera release itself?

Got a mini-softie on every camera that will take one, so that makes four right now. Stability and feel. You nestle the softie under the joint of your first knuckle of your index finger, or slightly further back on the underside of your index finger. It allows you to gently squeeze off a shot, instead of poking your fingertip "into" the shutter release button.

For me it just makes the camera feel so much more organic in my hand and smoothes out the whole shooting process. Been using them for about three years now and would never go back.

All mine are made by Tom Abrahamsson, so I can't comment on any of the others.

Best,
-Tim

[kokoshawnuff]

I've heard bad things about every softie maker besides those from Tom. I have used the Abrahamsson mini version for every M camera and they're great, I can get a majority of my shots at 1/4 sec with one and that number moves up to about 1/15 sec without one (the rare instances when Im using someone else's camera).

[Tom A]

In practical use - you gain a f-stop. You can handhold the camera and shoot at a slower speed - and you dont have to hit the relase exactly in the center - even hitting the rim of the Softe will trigger the shutter (and putting it in your bag with the shutter cocked will also trigger the shutter!).
It is just an extension of the regular release button of a camera and the fact that you can release it smoother helps.
I concieved my version of it more than 12 years ago - spent quite some time getting the convex shape right (not too dome shaped - but not too flat either). Some people like it - some dont, but it is much cheaper than switching from a F1.4 lens to a F1.0 anyway.
The difference in mine compared to a lot of the others on the market is the alloy used in it. It is a high strength aero-space alloy - which means that it will not snap off at the thread (some cast ones will do that - and you are stuck with the threaded part in the cameras release) - it is also light which means that it will not trigger the meter on a M6/M7/MP/M8/M9 when mounted on the camera (brass is almost 5 times the weight). Edges are knurled which means that it is easy to remove or put on the camera without over tightening it.
I am probably biased - but all my Leica's and Bessa's/Zeiss have them - and I am working on a design for an improved AR-1 for my Nikon RF's (and SLR's).

[Tom A]

As for Grey Softies for Anthracite or grey Hammer tone M9's - If I get enough orders, I can do it. I made some some years ago for my Hammer tone finished M2 and a grey Bessa T 101.

[hteasley]

Originally Posted by Tom A

It is just an extension of the regular release button of a camera and the fact that you can release it smoother helps.

Here's a question for you: I've heard that soft releases can put side pressure on the shutter release pin and can sometimes bend it, necessitating a repair. Is that something you've encountered at all? I don't like to give credence to unattributed stories, but that one gave me enough pause to not want to use a soft release if it's at all possible.

[Spyro]

Ι've totally destroyed the shutter button assembly on my x100 with a softie (not one of Tom's). Sent it to Fuji, fixed, now I'm using a softie again (a smaller one) with no problems. I suspect it must've got caught somewhere in my bag and it snapped the base of the shutter release.

[Bill58]

Since they're aluminum (doesn't take paint well), you gotta get one powdercoated if you want it gray now. I don't think you can get it anodized in that color. Just don't powdercoat the threads. It will cost you--probably more than it's worth.

[Tom A]

You would have to hit a Softie hard to bend a shaft - probably hard enough that that the Softie would be the least of your problem. Only potential problem with any softie would be on cameras that have release locks around the collar. If you apply a lot of force on the release it can "lock" the release hard enough to create a problem (I know of one case where this happened).
As for having a Softie anodized grey - it can be done. I made as mall run a couple of years ago, mainly for myself - but some were sold. It is more of a gun-metal grey color than a anthracite/hammer tone color. You can get a whole range of color in anodizing - and the grey is reasonably common (used on high end bicycles).
Powder coating is a pain - it builds up and also creates a "ridge" on any sharp edge. I have had it done and it is not worth the effort. It is also prone to "chipping" edges.

[Damaso]

I'm ready to order one, anyone else?

[robklurfield]

Add me to the list, please.

Tom, any plans for new Softies with any kind of logo? I might have to get myself another Mr. B for insurance after I lost my RFF-logo'd Softie somewhere at Newark Liberty Airport.

[bgb]

yeah must be about time for a new rff softie

any interest or ideas?

I like the ladybug one but it might not be suitable for Toms softies.

[rizraz]

I don't mine getting a few if it is produced..........

[Michael Markey]

I have one of Tom`s softies on both my M bodies.
They look good and are useful for those slow speeds too.

[Richard G]

I remain unconvinced and would never think of putting a softie on a camera, especially not an M9 or an X100 where I've already got an extra stop or two or more. If I can put up with the limitations of ISO 400 film, manual focus and rangefinder viewfinder I can surely accept the shutter button the camera manufacturer provided. I regularly try 1/4 and think nothing of 1/15 or 1/30 and even if I could do better with a softie I would worry about Spyro's experience and the other problems recorded and I just hate extra stuff on a camera.

[Rob-F]

Originally Posted by Tom A

Hmm. considering the track record for Leica's digital efforts. Do you really want to put a "bug" on the top of the camera too!!!!!

Good one, Tom!