Best cable release avalaible

[flatulent1]

Thanks guys. Rick, I ran into that a few years ago, picked up a cable release that fitted fine to my Canon FDs, but would not actuate some of them. Solved that by throwing it away and buying a better quality piece.

 

[munz6869]

I just received in the mail 3 plastic-sheathed cable releases from Gebr, Schreck (www.gebr-schreck.com), and on first inspection, they appear very robust, and certainly better made than those I've had previously. Time (in the field) will tell... They only took 7 days from the order to get down here from Germany too - very speedy!

Certainly, I'm completely charmed by the last line on their invoice: "Many thank for your order. We wish beautiful picture."

Marc

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Actually, there are cable releases with cylindrical tips and cable releases with conical tips, and even though you can typically get them to work when mismatched, they'll work better if they are matched. Noah Schwartz posted a good discussion of this with illustrations over on photo.net a few years ago--

http://photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/00G7ej

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I'll also second Marc's observations re Gebr. Schreck releases; but beware what you find online: some imitations are available where the rings on the "professional" models (quite beefy) loosen and the whole caboodle springs apart (!). These are not the real McCoy's but Chinese imitations.

Some other points: cloth will absorb moisture thus rust the internal pathways; braided can fray, discolour and also allow moisture in; stabilised plastic is the most reliable, braided+plastic also good. Gebr. Schreck has a vast number of different types available (yesterday I purchased a snazzy red-plastic release with butterfly brake for my pinhole) and is certainly worth a good look, and the prices good, even with shipping.

 

[Chan Tran]

My Nikon cable release looks and works like new after over 30 years. But then I didn't use it all that much.

 

[Ektagraphic]

Nikon offers one that is short but superb!!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

philippe These are good http://www.xn--drahtauslser-djb.com/, the Linhofs are made over there... Philippe

This is Gebr. Schreck, licensed to make the Linhof releases, among other things.

 

[Roger Thoms]

My Nikon cable release looks and works like new after over 30 years. But then I didn't use it all that much.

I've only had my Nikon for 20 years, still works great and I use it often. I just bought another Nikon for a backup, more in case I lose the one I have than anything other reason. 23 usd at my local camera store and still made in Japan. Looks identical to the one I purchased 20 years ago.

Roger

 

[kreeger]

I can't say enough about the Linhof cable release.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31284-REG/Linhof_002430_Heavy_Duty_Cable_Release.html

Over 20 years ago I bought two of them, they were like $20 each then.
They have never failed. They work like they did when new.

You can tie them in knots - 2 or three - and it still works unrestricted. That's what sold me.

 

[DanielStone]

I like the cheap ones, cause I'm always losing them .

little DIY tip: if you don't feel like spending another $20 for a red or blue cable release, go buy some 1/4" Heat-Shrink tubing, and cut to length. Presto! you now have a cable release you can find in the grass! and much cheaper too if you buy it in the 15' sections on ebay.

-Dan

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I like the cheap ones, cause I'm always losing them .

little DIY tip: if you don't feel like spending another $20 for a red or blue cable release, go buy some 1/4" Heat-Shrink tubing, and cut to length. Presto! you now have a cable release you can find in the grass! and much cheaper too if you buy it in the 15' sections on ebay.

-Dan

It's a noble suggestion, and I use heatshrink a lot for little tasks too. But the heatshrink will add stiffness and if it's a cloth release to start with, it will seal in moisture, accelerating rust. Another great idea I've seen: there is one guy I've come to know recently through mutual interests, originally from South Africa, puts the South African flag colours (red/yellow/green) on his (electronic) release with heatshrink loops too signify they are his (he works in a pool of freelance photographers)! Quite creative, but so too, is his drumming!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I can't say enough about the Linhof cable release.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31284-REG/Linhof_002430_Heavy_Duty_Cable_Release.html

Over 20 years ago I bought two of them, they were like $20 each then.
They have never failed. They work like they did when new.
You can tie them in knots - 2 or three - and it still works unrestricted. That's what sold me.

You wonder how the venerated Linhof release has gained $40 in price in twenty odd years... remember it's just the name, like Rip Curl, Billabong and Stussy: make the release at-cost, then add Linhof's 220% mark-up. They'll last forever, as posts on this thread attest, but they share a pedigree with other notable releases in being ultra smooth and durable.

 

[36cm2]

Posted wirelessly..

I can't say enough about the Linhof cable release.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31284-REG/Linhof_002430_Heavy_Duty_Cable_Release.html

Over 20 years ago I bought two of them, they were like $20 each then.
They have never failed. They work like they did when new.
You can tie them in knots - 2 or three - and it still works unrestricted. That's what sold me.

You wonder how the venerated Linhof release has gained $40 in price in twenty odd years... remember it's just the name, like Rip Curl, Billabong and Stussy: make the release at-cost, then add Linhof's 220% mark-up. They'll last forever, as posts on this thread attest, but they share a pedigree with other notable releases in being ultra smooth and durable.

Few know, but they are lined with the ashes of Gumby, which are increasingly in short supply.

 

[flatulent1]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the cable's length? I've only ever had short ones. Er, cable releases I mean. And I've never shot LF, I'll be using these on 35's.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I wouldn't think 35mm or MF users would need anything longer than 25 to 50cm realistically. Large format outfits might need a cable of about 75cm (I have seen several like this). Personal preference or availability also plays a part. I have observed large format WISTA users with a very, very short cable. An 8x10 user has an extra-long puffer-release cable (possibly 3m-plus) while another, MF shooter has a 30cm cable. I'm comfortable with a 25cm cable clearing my pinhole and allowing me to shoot from behind rather than have my hand somewhere in front of the camera with a very short release, or conversely, managing so much unnecessarily long cable which can also get entangled — so lots of variables to consider, but one of the often overlooked ones is the type of locking mechanism: spherical brake or side-lock. I think the Linhofs/Gebr. Schreck cable releases (the latter available in many more sizes) strike a very sensible range of lengths.

 

[hacked - sepiareverb]

I've used these for many years both long and short for large & small formats. Bulletproof.


Dead Link Removed
Dead Link Removed

 

[andrewkirkby]

After having problems with various shutter releases on my Hasselblad, i switched to a Linhof one purchased from Mainline Photographic. $60 well spent. The lock is excellent and is much easier to use and infinitely more reliable than any of the others i have used.

 

[mike c]

I have had trouble with cable releases on my Blald also,seems some of the ends that screw in to the camera socket are to small and don't stay very good.There must be different size of treads on some.
Mike

 

[nsurit]

I have a Bronica cable release I've used since 1968. Looks like it might work out OK. Bill Barber

 

[FotoD]

These are the best I've used by far:
https://www.drahtauslöser.com/SITE/index.html

And for the Sinar shutter these are fine:
https://www.silvestricamerashop.it/...e-release-for-sinar-manual-shutter-70-cm.html

I've used a lot of cheap old cables too, but no more. A good cable release is worth paying for.

 

[Maris]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the cable's length? I've only ever had short ones. Er, cable releases I mean. And I've never shot LF, I'll be using these on 35's.

I keep a cable release about a metre long for large format portrait photography. When I make the exposure I have my hand behind my back so the subject can't see my thumb depressing the plunger. This way they don't know when to flinch.

 

[Tim Gray]

These are the best I've used by far:
https://www.drahtauslöser.com/SITE/index.html

I bought a few of these a decade ago when you could get them from some other site (cable-releases.com?) and they are very nice. Glad to see you can still get them.

 

[AgX]

Last year Schreck stated to not ship to the USA, meanwhile this statement vanished from their site.

 

[eli griggs]

degroff air release.
you can find them on eBoink
very inexpensively ( the old pistons )
they don't go bad. you would just need to
get a length of hose and a blood pressure bulb.
total investment less than 20$ usd ...

I agree these are great releases, but I can no find one even close to a $20 price.

OP, your camera or lens have a lot to say about the strength needed, as well as practical length for a well working kit, so be prepared, for example to put a bigger bulb on an air release "cable" tool.

New hose is also often needed, but catheter lines can work if rubber tubing is no available.

Good luck.

 

[AgX]

A blood pressure bulb as such would not work, as it got an automatic filling valve integrated, which would keep the piston from returning to idle.