Ok, not just any button, it has to be a button you can screw into the cable release socket. It's to be used in a Meopta Flexaret IVa, this camera has a leaver which is sometimes not as handy as I would like it to be, so a button would be more nice. I know they exist because I have seen them on photographs on the web but I don't know the correct name for them. Anybody has such an item lying around or knows where to get it??
You probably mean one of those shutter buttons that can be seen on Rolleicords (and Retina 117/118s but that's collector stuff). There are older cable releases (often coming with old folders or plate cameras) that are very short (like 2-3 cm) that you could look for, maybe?
In case it should be hard to find the one you are looking for, you could have it custom-turned, or you might make something yourself from the male thread of an apt obsolete cable release and a top of choice cemented together.
Aren't they called "soft releases"; biggish disc like thingies that screw into a normal threaded shutter release button? They should fit a cable release socket.
They seem to be most liked by Leica photographers, judging by the fact that that's what they are mostly targetted at.
There are 2 problems, the soft touch buttons have no moving parts, so they cannot be pushed in to activate the mechanism, and the ones made for Leica cannot be inserted into the cable release as they are the so called "Leica Nipple" configuration. I indeed search something you can find sometimes on the Rolleicord/flex.
The problem of a soft release for a Flexaret is not that simple - If you look at the threaded socket you will see that the cable release has to press against an extension of the same lever that your right thumb is supposed to operate
This means the simple "soft" releases won't do the job, it has to be one in which the male thread has a hole through it to allow the soft rlse button to slide through - The cost of this could be greater than the real cash value of your camera
I think the reality is to exercise your right thumb - I was given a Flexaret a year ago as a birthday present and I find it easy to use from a low position with my thumb or with my right middle finger with the direct vision viewfinder at eye level
I am glad someone is using one of these cameras - I don't use mine, but I admire the simplicity of the design which means it should work for a very long time
So, you need a cable release without the cable. I think you could rig one yourself from a trimmed-down standard cable release with just a little work. Or you could get a very short cable release and see if it does the trick. I have one about two inches long that came with my Nizo double 8 mm camera; it is to allow single frame exposures with the camera (a very neat feature for such a tiny camera). You might find that a local store that services motion cameras has one for you.
You could also get (or make) an accessory hand grip that has a hole for a cable release.
I agree with releasing the Flexaret with the thumb...but if that's too awkward for you, Why not use a standard short 5-10cm long cable release, curve it upwards/sideways t whatever release button position suits you and and hold it to the body with a rubber band? I just jerryrigged my Flexaret and it works (but I prefer the thumb...)
D
I have found some stuff on the big auction site but it's quite expensive. So, since I have some broken cable releases lying around I might try to cobble up something. Stuff like this will probably pop up somewhere unexpected, thanx everyone for the contribution.