Recommend me a shutter release cable

nbagno · Mar 10, 2015

Tired of buying crappy crappy release cables that fall apart after a few months use. Willing to pay top dollar for one that is reliable Nothing fancy, just a 12" or so cable....

removed account4 · Mar 10, 2015

look on the big yardsale auction site for a something called a de groff airway shutter release
it will be a piston.. go to a medical supply place and get a bloodpressure hose and bulb.
if the piston is sluggish blow a little graphite dust in there ..
it will be the best release you ever buy and will last another 100+years
completed auctions show a few have sold for 10 / pair ...

wildbill · Mar 10, 2015

Gepe vinyl covered.

AgX · Mar 10, 2015

Vinyl covered ones will get stiff in the cold.

For new ones see here (manufacturer):
http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/P5.html

I prefer models with textile or metal-netting cover, and rotational-symmetric grip.

If you make time exposures, a arrest feature is best.
Next to models witth an arrest screw there are models that got an automatic arrest when the piston is pushed, that can be unlocked by pushing a release ring, and where that automatic arrest feature also can be switched off by locking that ring.

Ken Nadvornick · Mar 10, 2015

AgX said:
For new ones see here (manufacturer):
http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/P5.html

I'll add that I have an earlier model of the above Professional series release. It came with my 8x10 camera kit when I first purchased everything.

It's the best damn cable release I've ever seen. Built to survive several lifetimes of hard use. Heavy. Substantial. Solid. Reassuring. If you can get your hands on one, you'll be convinced as well.

Ken

Moopheus · Mar 10, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
It's the best damn cable release I've ever seen. Built to survive several lifetimes of hard use. Heavy. Substantial. Solid. Reassuring. If you can get your hands on one, you'll be convinced as well.

Ken

And it doesn't even seem crazy expensive for a good quality cable. Especially if the euro keeps going the way it is.

I have a de groff and it is pretty nice. The only problem I have is that the tube it came with is too long. It never occurred to me that I could just get another bit of tubing or cut this one down and it would still work.

AgX · Mar 10, 2015

Vinyl cover: maybe today other linings (PU) are used. I don't know.
From the ones I got out of the rummage box (vinyl over netting, that were quite stiff even at room temperature) I always sliced off the vinyl cover.

I just realized that Schreck cancelled their models with textile linings due to low demand for that version, but only offer plastic lined models.

SMBooth · Mar 10, 2015

I found the Nikon AR-3 cable releases (cloth cover) are pretty good, also Grepe.

Pioneer · Mar 10, 2015

Pentax 50 20"

I have two of these (anyone who loses things regularly will know why) and never had one fail on me.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40972-REG/Pentax_30099_Cable_Release_50.html

Kevin Caulfield · Mar 10, 2015

I also recommend the schreck ones.

Dan Fromm · Mar 11, 2015

Gitzo

PeterB · Mar 11, 2015

Second vote for Nikon AR-3. I researched this topic thoroughly 4 years ago before I bought my Nikon AR-3. It is a great combination of price and quality. I paid about $20 for mine on eBay
http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-Nikon-AR-3-Cable-Release-30cm-12-D100-F4-F80D-/230653205975

AgX · Mar 11, 2015

There are 4 aspects to cable releases:

-) flexibility

-) handling (design of the grip and arrest section)

-) weather proofness/longevity

-) mechanical longevity

ChuckP · Mar 11, 2015

I'm another user of the Pentax one.

nbagno · Mar 11, 2015

Large or Small?

I use medium format cameras, so large or small?

jnanian said:
look on the big yardsale auction site for a something called a de groff airway shutter release
it will be a piston.. go to a medical supply place and get a bloodpressure hose and bulb.
if the piston is sluggish blow a little graphite dust in there ..
it will be the best release you ever buy and will last another 100+years
completed auctions show a few have sold for 10 / pair ...

removed account4 · Mar 11, 2015

nbagno said:
I use medium format cameras, so large or small?

small I am sure us universally useful.
sometimes the old ones come up on the big yard sale
they are beautifully engraved, real works of art ..

good luck with your search !
john

John Koehrer · Mar 11, 2015

Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Horseman. Can't forget Linhof or Leica.
The Leica's aren't much better than the inexpensive variety.
I really like the Horseman though. whenever I see one at a trade show I'll buy it.

AgX · Mar 11, 2015

I assume there have been few cable-release manufacturers anyway. And most are only rebranded models.

wildbill · Mar 11, 2015

AgX said:
Vinyl covered ones will get stiff in the cold.

For new ones see here (manufacturer):
http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/P5.html

I prefer models with textile or metal-netting cover, and rotational-symmetric grip.

If you make time exposures, a arrest feature is best.
Next to models witth an arrest screw there are models that got an automatic arrest when the piston is pushed, that can be unlocked by pushing a release ring, and where that automatic arrest feature also can be switched off by locking that ring.

I guess I meant plastic covered. I've had two of these for over 10yrs and they still work like new, fire any shutter, and remain flexible in extreme weather. $26 each http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272792-REG/Gepe_601211_Plastic_Covered_Cable_Release.html

Patrick Robert James · Mar 11, 2015

Personally I prefer the all metal disk lock older ones that were all about the same and had Canon, Nikon, etc. on them. My favorite by far of any cable release is the Minolta disk lock white one. Not many of them around, but it is the best IMO.

nbagno · Mar 30, 2015

Well ain't that a $itch. Ordered one from here... 20 days later it arrived.... broken. :-(

AgX said:
Vinyl covered ones will get stiff in the cold.

For new ones see here (manufacturer):
http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/P5.html

I prefer models with textile or metal-netting cover, and rotational-symmetric grip.

If you make time exposures, a arrest feature is best.
Next to models witth an arrest screw there are models that got an automatic arrest when the piston is pushed, that can be unlocked by pushing a release ring, and where that automatic arrest feature also can be switched off by locking that ring.

nbagno · Apr 2, 2015

Well this is turning out to be a cluster.... They asked me to file a claim with the post office which I will not do. Which post office? USPS? Deutsche Post? Not going to waste time with either. I purchased it via paypal so I will let them figure it out, that's what I pay them for. In the mean time, I ordered a release from B&H. :~

Barry S · Apr 2, 2015

nbagno said:
Well this is turning out to be a cluster.... They asked me to file a claim with the post office which I will not do. Which post office? USPS? Deutsche Post? Not going to waste time with either. I purchased it via paypal so I will let them figure it out, that's what I pay them for. In the mean time, I ordered a release from B&H. :~

Well that's crappy service. It's a cable release--send another one!

nbagno · Apr 23, 2015

Barry S said:
Well that's crappy service. It's a cable release--send another one!

Just to close the loop. I waisted way more time on this that it was worth, even going to the post office USPS as requested by the company. USPS won't give customers a damage report. They will open a case but I wasn't going to go through all that. Besides, I was the purchaser not the seller. Finally resolved it via pay pal, they sent me a refund after I told them what I thought about their resolution process on a $40.00 cable release.

AgX · Apr 25, 2015

The same here in Germany: it is the sender (seller) who has to complain at the postal servicve.

This seems very bad service by Schreck.
I won't recommend them again.

Recommend me a shutter release cable

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