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Thread: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

  1. #1

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    What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    I'm browsing ebay for a new cable release and I wanted to know what some of you thought was a good length and also a reputable brand for a shutter release cable. I'll be doing some VERY long exposures and I need to minimize camera shake as well. If this might be a factor, please speak up.
    -R
    Last edited by PhotographicBlack; 14-Aug-2006 at 03:15.

  2. #2

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    I prefer my cable release to be about 12" or longer. Try and buy one with a locking mechanism if you're going to be doing long exposures.

    Many manufacturers out there of cable releases... take your pick.

    I like the Gepe ones but I also have the Pentax releases from my 35mm days.

    Hope this helps.

    Cheers
    Life in the fast lane!

  3. #3

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    I like short ones, 12" or less, so they don't get tangled up in everything. I buy the least expensive ones I can find, they tend to get lost or break. Unfortunately Nikon releases are sometimes the only short ones I can easily find so I've ended up with some of them and they're expensive, about $20 each.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  4. #4

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    12 inches. The longer ones just get in the way. I don't buy them sight unseen... I like to try them out to make sure they are good quality. I try to make sure that the cable release operates smooth and locks securely (even though I rarely use the locking feature).

  5. #5

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    Cheap, short, light cloth cable releases. Less mass on the cable release = less vibration, as well as being out of the way, light, and cheap. Buy several.

  6. #6

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    I prefer more than 6in but less than 12in cloth cables. I have one for each lens and I leave them on. The short length keeps them from getting tangled while being stored.

  7. #7
    Moderator Ralph Barker's Avatar
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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    My preference leans toward longer cable releases - a 40" is great, allowing me to trip the shutter from the rear of the camera after removing the dark slide, and the length isolates me from the shutter. I like the Gepe brand, too.

    The longer cable also works as a whip to keep the Is-that-a-Hasselbald? tourists at bay, or as a garrote for bears that want a peek under the darkcloth.

  8. #8

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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    12 inch cloth, fairly cheap, one one each lens.

    I bought a bunch on ebay for about $5.
    Last edited by Ron Marshall; 14-Aug-2006 at 08:26.

  9. #9
    wfwhitaker
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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    Just to be different here... I think you should have one of each, long and short. True the long ones can get in the way, but if the camera is looking down, a short one can rotate in the socket just so that it hangs directly in front of the lens.

    For "VERY long exposures" any camera shake as a result of opening or closing the shutter should be but a very small percentage of the overall exposure time. You could probably even get by just using the lens cap.

  10. #10
    Scott Davis
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    Re: What's a good length for a cable Release and a LFC?

    IF you can still find them, the Konica/Minolta cable releases are about the nicest out there. They have a long enough throw that they can trip even an Ilex #5, are flexible woven metal in a vinyl tube, and have very nice threading on the tip that screws into the shutter release. They also have a very smooth action that makes them a pleasure to use.

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