Just a word of caution about after-market...

Ben Herrmann wrote:

...add-on soft shutter release extender buttons - particularly, when used on Olympus camera models.

OK, so you're wondering what in the hell am I'm talkin' about here. Well here goes...

Right now you have the option of purchasing various 3rd party add-on soft shutter release buttons on line - whether on eBay, or from companies direct. They come in various sizes and colors and are meant to extend the feel of the shutter button , thus making sure you have a good "feel" where the button is. I've been using them for years.

There are the screw-in types - meaning, those that screw into the shutter release buttons that have recessed/screw openings. These can be found on various Fuji cameras, but very few (if any) of the micro 4/3 models. I've never had any issues with these types of soft shutter releases at all.

The other type is a design whereby the add-on button "sticks" on to the current buttons on your micro four three cameras using an adhesive. One of those manufacturers, Lolumina (which is a hi-quality manufacturer of these products), is one that I began using early on. Now keep in mind that although Lolumina versions are the best of the "stick-on" types, their button assembly height adds quite a bit more height to the shutter release button when attached.

But here's the key, and you have to be very careful - in particular, with Olympus cameras. To begin with, Oly shutter release buttons usually have a metal or plastic cap that slips over the plasticized shutter release button mechanism underneath. For the most part, you never notice this because it rarely comes apart. These OEM caps are not glued on firmly at all and can easily be yanked apart with the right pressure. Now, by sticking on a soft shutter release button (which raises the profile of the shutter release button) - in particular, with the Lolumina ones - you now run the risk (with any type of sidewards force/pressure, which can occur in a camera bag, or a camera strap catching it) of the soft shutter release ripping off the cap that Olympus places on their mechanisms.

It's happened to me several times now (using the Lolumina versions). In one case, the cap (with soft shutter release firmly attached) was pulled off. Although I baby all of my cameras, the camera strap on my E-P5 caught the edge of the Lolumina soft release button and it ripped off the base cap. OK, I thought, I'll just apply a very, very small amount of Gorilla glue (we're talkin' using a pinhead to apply) inside of the cap. I then pushed it back on, thinking that this would solve the situation. Boy, was I unpleasantly surprised when it dried. Somehow, even that small amount of gorilla glue managed to solidly lock the entire shutter release button. I subsequently had to eat the $145 cost to send it in to Olympus to replace the shutter button mechanism. Obviously, I'd never do that again.

Then it happened 3 more times (same scenario - the Lolumina button with sidewards pressure, pulled off the caps on the Fuji X-S1, Oly E-M5, and E-PL7). I managed to fix the Fuji X-S1 button which is this really chintzy (cheap) little clothespin device, which came out. I managed to just push that one back in until it clicked into position. But with the other Olympus cameras I mentioned, instead of trying to glue them again, I sought advice and assistance from an engineer friend of mine on how to fix it, and he did (don't ask me how he did it - but he did). I'm guessing he used a different type of glue.

So what I'm getting at is that although these soft shutter seem convenient and are great add-on devices for many cameras, there are some cameras whereby their OEM shutter buttons assemblies can become damaged (usually with sideways pressure thanks to the extended soft release button that was stuck on them).

Please - I'm just offering this up for advice. If it never happened to you, well good for you, but that doesn't mean it can't occur. Be cautious when sticking on any types of soft shutter releases. They look great, but by the mere nature of their extended height, sidewards pressure can dislodge or damage the shutter release buttons on various cameras - mostly Olympus from what I've discovered.

I lost the top of my shutter button on E-PL5 without sticking anything to it. It just came off one day. I still have that E-PL5 as a secondary camera and use it without the top cap, works like a charm and is better to the touch since the black plastic below the top has ridges and is easier to locate by touch.