Do I really need cable releases?

[Roger Thoms]

I use a cable release, switch it from lens to lens and carry a spare.
Roger

[poco]

In my experience it's possible to make due without a release if you learn to trigger the shutter by "brushing through" the lever rather than actually pushing it in. But I agree with almost everyone else that it's just not worth it. After the second or third time that you re-take a shot to put down that nagging feeling you might have jarred the camera, you realize you've blown through the cost of a cheap release in extra film/development costs.

I still rebel by using a magnifying glass over a loupe, but I've caved on the cable release thing.

[Ash]

You need a cable release, I found that out from experience.
You don't need an expensive cable release, I found that out from budget.

[Juergen Sattler]

Hey Don,

I'm the kind of guy who likes to ask questions.

Sorry if it disturbs you.

--Darin

But this is like asking: Do I really need a darkcloth to assess focus on a view camera in blinding sun light without a shade over the ground glass. What's the big deal of buying a cable release for every lens you own and just leaving it on the lens when you store it away - easy, quick and simple. Large Format is not a cheap hobby and the cable releases are the least expensive item in your bag. I would not waste a milli-second worrying about this issue.

[boris]

i do photograf WITHOUT a cabel release for years without to worry. after reading the coments on this "silly" questions i wanted to be shure. i made 16 pictures 8 with a cable release and 8 without. 300mm lens in copal shutter, linhof technika, good tripod.
exposure times were 1/8 down to 1 second. i repeated each time twice. after examing the negativs under a 10x loupe i couldn't see NO difference at all
these are my facts. i would like to ask somebody else to make the same test and to report here,
cheers boris

[Darin Boville]

Thanks, Boris. Very interesting results.

And thanks to all who considered my question.

--Darin

[Jim Banks]

Another important factor in using a cable release is that it allows you, once evrything is done and ready to go, to actually observe the scene/person you are photographing. If you're shooting outdoors you can watch for wind movement in grasses/trees, check for people/cars too!

Potential technical issues aside, I think this is the most important reason to use one.

[Doug Dolde]

I am utterly amazed that this discussion could go on for 4 pages !

[boris]

sometimes i even photograph with

[boris]

Potential technical issues aside, I think this is the most important reason to use one.

well that's what i do when triggering he shutter with my finger. i have some good argument's to do so.
in the beginning i was using a cable release, one day i forgot it, so just by mistake i recognized that the people that were portraid were less stressed, they expected to see the cable release. the portraits became more natural. since this "error" i changed my mind about right and wrong.