Forgive the innocent question: What exactly is the need/function/benefit of a soft release? Less potential vibration/movement when pressing the button?
A simple answer to that is 'Yes' ... but it's really a whole lot more...
I first used a soft-release way back when I was using a Leica M film camera and at that time I had a regular friend/contact in US and he was a Pro, using a similar camera in his capacity and then acting as a technical photograher for a section of the US Army. He introduced me and 'taught' and encouraged me in the use of a soft release. I still to this day have the flat Silver button that I used on the Leica - it's a bigger diameter than ones I use now on Fuji and although I suppose is still usable, what I use now are quite a bit less diameter .. my present one in fact is 10mm diameter and to me I feel quite happy with that - a Convex one or a flat one.. as I prefer that to the Concave which I just don't feel happy with myself.
But in short.. with a soft-release button screwed in , what I was taught and what I stil regard as the best method, is that instead of using what I think many or most users will tend to do normally - press the shutter button with literally your index-finger end .. you gently curl your whole finger-end over the soft-release top face and it is really the first joint of your finger that rests on the shutter button and that only requires the merest light touch to press and fire the shutter. It's difficult to express in words but it is remarkable how SO gently and smoothly you can press the shutter this way. I think maybe it's a lot to do with the fact that you have a larger surface to press (compared to the bare shutter button TOP) but I'm sure it's also a lot to do with the fact that the added soft release gives a larger surface on which to press AND doing it with the more flat finger joint does without a doubt enable a much better softer touch-press.
It really is a question of trial. I'm sure many might well not like it that way - probably because they just feel they can press the shutter OK anyway - I'd like to bet that very few CAN do it as well as with a soft-release IF they tried and really got familiar with it.
Frankly, since many very good ones are on Ebay everywhere at a pittance of a price.. there's absolutely no reason for anyone NOT to at least give it a try..I think many will find it extremely good.
I often say that it's a bit like the old days of the Westerns.. you CAN finish up with literally a 'hair-trigger' release .. it really is !!
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/ericN2
Staffordshire, UK
