FYI: Nikon AR-1 soft shutter releases are now $25-$30 on ebay
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Yeah, I'm planning my retirement around my AR-1s. These things have outperformed the S&P 500! 
I never did like the extra height on the release. I suppose I should look to see if I still have one, and put it up for sale.
Not all of them- some were very good. 40 years later, they still work well.
These things make the most sense on a Nikon F/F2 with a Photomic finder. I'm looking over at my F with a plain prism the AR-1 looks a bit weird.
I’m kind of curious, what is the purpose of these things, any why do I only see then in the Nikon universe?
It's a so-called "soft release" and the purpose is to reduce the pressure needed to release the shutter. They also take up some of the slack in the button. And, as noted, for cameras like Nikon F's and F2's which have the shutter speed control mounted on the top of a tall metering viewfinder, it puts your finger near the shutter speed dial, and (theoretically) positioned to easily to operate with the camera at your eye. On those finders, the shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder, so you don't need to look away from the finder to select the shutter speed.
There are various soft-release gadgets sold for many cameras, these particular ones for Nikon are somewhat unique because the cameras use a leica-style collar to secure a cable release, or this soft release, and don't have the usual threaded hole.
I’ve never seen them discussed for other cameras I have (Pentax, Minolta, various medium format) but they seem to be reaching mythic status in the Nikon world. I shoot my F2 Photomic frequently, and I can’t imagine adjusting the shutter with one finder—it’s too stiff—I always use a thumb and forefinger.
I have never come it across, never seen it used, never mentioned it over here.
To do so there must be a gear- or hydraulic-system incorporated into it.
Unless the idea is to spread force over the finger-top by enlarging the contact area.
Its height would be definitely a problem to me.
Furthermore, cameras can have a incorporated smooth, effortless release (eg. Canon Pellix, or the Agfa "Sensor" release)
MattKing
Moderator
The use of "soft release" may be a bit of a mis-description.
These, and others like it, change both the angle of one's finger on the release, and the area and shape of the surface one can contact in a way that results in release of the shutter.
With something like this, one can release the shutter by essentially rolling one's finger over it - which could be considered a "softer" approach.
In my case, if I am using the unadorned release on a few of my cameras. I have trouble applying the right sort of pressure, in the right direction, with my not so dexterous right index finger. The addition of a "soft" release often helps.
Unfortunately, on many of my cameras, the soft releases have a frustrating tendency to go astray.
These, and others like it, change both the angle of one's finger on the release, and the area and shape of the surface one can contact in a way that results in release of the shutter.
With something like this, one can release the shutter by essentially rolling one's finger over it - which could be considered a "softer" approach.
In my case, if I am using the unadorned release on a few of my cameras. I have trouble applying the right sort of pressure, in the right direction, with my not so dexterous right index finger. The addition of a "soft" release often helps.
Unfortunately, on many of my cameras, the soft releases have a frustrating tendency to go astray.
Interesting. I’m not trying to criticize these things they just seem to be an odd little anomaly, like people in the motorcycle world that obsess over finding a 13mm wrench from a KTM toolkit because it has a bottle opener opposite the 13mm. I guess they have some use, but I’ve never found my FTN, FT2, F2, FM2N and FA shutter releases lacking in any way (except the F2s incompatibility with standard release cables, but I don’t shoot my 35s that way so it never bothered me.). Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to buy a camera with one installed in the future so I can try it out, because I can’t imagine spending $30-40 just to see.
I had a Leica III that came with a soft-release, looked like a Mushroom and it screwed into the release socket just like the Nikon. I have an AR-1 on my Nikon SP, and most of my Nikon F2 bodies and F bodies.
I have a lost of sensation in my fingers. I have to look at my Nikon digital cameras to find the shutter release. Sucks
I like the feel of the shutter release on the F2 and FM without the the soft release. The one on the F3 is too soft for my taste already.
Kind of funny that some of our more experienced members are not familiar with these things.
All my 35mm SLR have a "Soft Shutter"......... Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Olympus.
I really like the way the feel.
To give some of you guys an additional headache.......the Non-Nikon shutters, some are Convex and some are Concave.
I have Seven of these for a Nikon F2. Three of those are "Chinese" or a knock-off if you prefer. The cheap ones have always worked just fine for me. The shutter for the Nikon, it IS two pieces compared to other brands, but still.......these things have the complexity of a tooth brush. There is not much to go wrong.
The two pieces would need to be REAL Cheap to be problematic.
All my 35mm SLR have a "Soft Shutter"......... Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Olympus.
I really like the way the feel.
To give some of you guys an additional headache.......the Non-Nikon shutters, some are Convex and some are Concave.
I have Seven of these for a Nikon F2. Three of those are "Chinese" or a knock-off if you prefer. The cheap ones have always worked just fine for me. The shutter for the Nikon, it IS two pieces compared to other brands, but still.......these things have the complexity of a tooth brush. There is not much to go wrong.
The two pieces would need to be REAL Cheap to be problematic.
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