Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 25

Thread: Cable Release Woes

  1. #1
    Armentor1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    New Orleans, La
    Posts
    85

    Cable Release Woes

    I was making a long exposure a few nights ago. After 5 hours or so I went back to close the lens and realized that my cable release had taken it upon itself to shorten my exposure. It had failed and was no longer holding the shutter open. For whatever reason the pin no longer extends long enough to push in the shutter release. It is a fairly new cable and i've used it many times successfully. Is there something I'm missing about these things? do they just fail every so often?

    It is pretty wild how many things can go wrong in the lf world. I don't know how you guys did this commercially years ago.
    All in all I still got a very thin neg that I can work with


    thanks-
    dave

    www.thesugarmillsessions.com

  2. #2
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mendocino, California
    Posts
    1,317

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    Sometimes what happens is the casing separates from the ends effectively lengthening itself. If so, you can try gluing it back together.

    Jon
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Santa Barbara
    Posts
    1,376

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    I and understand it

    cable releases are like guitar cords - the weakest link in the whole expensive system

    and don't get me started on PC cords

  4. #4
    Daniel Stone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles area
    Posts
    2,157

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    Does your shutter have a 'T' setting? If so, for long exposures I'd recommend that instead of using 'B' for future reference.

    Sorry to hear about your mishap however.
    Better luck next time

    -Dan

  5. #5
    Armentor1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    New Orleans, La
    Posts
    85

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    oh that makes sense - don't know why I never thought of using the t setting.
    rookie mistake.

    thanks guys
    dave

  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    grand rapids
    Posts
    3,851

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    I use Gepe cable releases. Never any issues.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    680

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    I finally bought an Ebony cable release. The long version. It had to be ordered from Japan. It's the best I've seen.

  8. #8
    pasiasty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Prague, Czech Rep.
    Posts
    160

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    I've got best experience with 'less than $3' ones from China - not only they do their job quite well, but you can buy a dozen an always have a spare.

  9. #9
    IanG's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Aegean (Turkey & UK)
    Posts
    4,122

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    My experience is that some of the more expensive cable releases are the least reliable, particularly the plactic covered ones.

    A tip for repairing them is to use the heat shrink rubber wire wrap used for electrical wiring. I've revived a few that way, although since then I bought a job lot of 20 for £10/$15.50. I tend to lose them . . . . .

    Ian

  10. #10
    EOTS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Linz, Austria
    Posts
    410

    Re: Cable Release Woes

    I use cable releases from Gebrüder Schreck.
    They are of stunning quality, never had any issues.
    I recommend the "plastic" version of the "Professional" model.

    Ian, I had the opposite experience ...
    I used the "cloth" version before, but if working in a wet environment (waterfall),
    the inner pins somehow shortened and releasing did no longer work reliable.
    Now with the "plastic" version, it works for years now in any environment...

    http://www.drahtauslöser.com/ESITE/
    http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/

    Best regards,
    Martin

Similar Threads

  1. HELP...fix cable release?
    By Meekyman in forum Gear
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 26-Jan-2013, 13:32
  2. cable release thread snapped off in shutter release thread
    By rphenning in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 4-Nov-2009, 13:46
  3. $96 for a Release Cable?
    By SAShruby in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 22-Oct-2007, 16:45
  4. remote cable release or self-timer release?
    By bill_1041 in forum Gear
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 4-Apr-2000, 12:51
  5. Cable Release
    By Sean Billy Bob Boy yates in forum Gear
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-May-1999, 00:25

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •