Cable Release 4x5

[Alan Klein]

Just starting out. I have a Schneider 150mm APO Synnar f/5.6 lens with Copal 0 shutter for 4x5 camera. What shutter release cable do you recommend?

Length:
Covering: Cloth? PVC? etc?
Lockable type? Yes/no Why would I need that since the lens comes with B and T shutter settings?

Tks
Alan

[BrianShaw]

Length might be more important than any other concern you’ve listed above. Too long and they bind. Too short and they hard to work with. Six inches.

[Alan Klein]

Here are my specific questions.

Length:
Covering: Cloth? PVC? etc?
Lockable type? Yes/no? Why would I need that since the lens comes with B and T shutter settings?
DOes stroke matter for a 4x5 Copal 0 lens?

[BrianShaw]

What cable releases do you currently have?

What are the functions you expect a cable release to do for you?

Stroke length is largely irrelevant except for specific vintage shutters.

[Alan Klein]

Brian: I have a 20" cloth covered one that I used with my medium format camera. I have no idea the brand. See pix. Since stroke doesn;t matter, it should work. It has a little locking knob on the side. SInce the 4x5 lenses I ordered comes Copal 0 B and T shutter settings, do you even need the lock? Couldn;t you use one of those settings and press it twice to open the shutter and close the shitter?

[Alan Klein]

Here's pix.

[John Kasaian]

Just starting out. I have a Schneider 150mm APO Synnar f/5.6 lens with Copal 0 shutter for 4x5 camera. What shutter release cable do you recommend?

Length:
Covering: Cloth? PVC? etc?
Lockable type? Yes/no Why would I need that since the lens comes with B and T shutter settings?

Tks
Alan

A good length is one that doesn't get in the way. If the socket the cable threads in to is near the top of the shutter I like a cable long enough so that it freely hangs outside the field of view.

Covering is a personal choice. My Minette has an attractive red fabric "chick magnet" cover, The Gepes are either black PVC or metal braid. IMHO the fabric covered usually can be coiled up in a smaller package for transport/storage, but thinner cheap fabric on the bargain cable releases will wear more quickly, if this matters to you.

My preference is for the disc lock. Once I got used to it it becomes second nature. IMHO a screw lock is a PITA but most every quality cable release is going to come with a lock, so you might as well get the style you like.

I hope this helps!

[Andy Eads]

Alan, PVC has a tendency to get brittle and stiff with age and in cold. The woven sheaths do not. - Andy

[BrianShaw]

That will work, Alan... although I prefer shorter. I find the long ones both bind a “get in the way” to quote John K.

A locking release gives you a redundant option for long exposure when using a shutter with b or t. So it really doesn’t matter in your case. For long exposures with a shutter that does not have b or t it’s quite useful.

[Greg]

Woven metal threaded cables work fine except in the winter at below freezing temperatures when you drop one onto wet snow and the cable freezes up. Over the years have dropped a non-metal woven one into a stream, again at below freezing temperatures, with no problems.

[Two23]

If you like the one you have and it works, you're good. One thing I've learned about cable releases is the cheap ones come apart pretty quickly. I only buy the best now and come to think about it haven't had to buy another in several years now.

[Merg Ross]

199152

Alan, I think the release you have will be fine. I also prefer something in that length range, allowing some slack between hand and lens. The two above are 16" Minolta with dial locks, although the locking ability I have never had use for.

Get a loupe and dark cloth and you're good to go. Oh, do you have a tripod and adequate head?

[John Layton]

Gone through lots of these over the years...and have finally discovered that Pentax 20 inch cloth releases (with circular locking collar) are the cats pajamas! The thing about cloth releases is that they are supple - and this, when combined with a 20 inch length, equates to no movement transferred to shutter...very important! But ya gotta buy quality!

[Alan Klein]

Duplicate

[Alan Klein]

199152

Alan, I think the release you have will be fine. I also prefer something in that length range, allowing some slack between hand and lens. The two above are 16" Minolta with dial locks, although the locking ability I have never had use for.

Get a loupe and dark cloth and you're good to go. Oh, do you have a tripod and adequate head?
Merg, Yes I have an old heavy Gitzo with matching Gitzo triple pan and tilt head. I use it with my heavier Mamiya RB67 medium format camera and its solid. It should be fine for the 4x5 Chamonix. I see you have releases on each lens. Is that a "best" practice of yours?

The 20" release i found OK for my medium format camera. So I suppose it should be fine for 4x5. I like it's flexibility and the length keeps the pressure off the camera. I don't like dial lock cables as I find it locks at the most inconvenient times when I don't need it. This one I have has a side lock knob so it doesn;t lock by accident. SInce the lens has T and B, I shouldn't need it anyway. Would I?

I'm going to try a extra large black heavy duty T-shirt for now just to see what I need in the way of a dark cloth.

Also the I have a Schneider 6x6 film examing loup (3x power?) and an Agfa 8x loupe. The Chamonix has a Fresnel between the ground glass and eye. So I'll try the ones I have to get some feel for what's going on and what I might need afterwards. I want to get a feel for what's happening since I never used a large format before and then decide.

[Merg Ross]

Gone through lots of these over the years...and have finally discovered that Pentax 20 inch cloth releases (with circular locking collar) are the cats pajamas! The thing about cloth releases is that they are supple - and this, when combined with a 20 inch length, equates to no movement transferred to shutter...very important! But ya gotta buy quality!

Good point, John. I also prefer the long cloth releases, especially if one chooses to store lenses with the release attached.

[Doremus Scudder]

Alan,

I think you're obsessing a bit much about accessories (on this and your loupe thread) :) You just need something to get the job done.

I have cable releases with cloth, metal and plastic coverings and in lengths from six to 16 inches; all work fine. I buy a batch of used cable releases every ten years or so and keep a few spares with me at all times so if one breaks, I'll have a replacement. I like to have a dedicated release attached and stored with each lens so I don't have to fiddle with attaching one every time I set up.

You only need long-throw cable releases with some press shutters and a couple of older shutters (Ilex?). The only annoyance I ever have is with the collar locks on some releases that tend to rotate to the lock position when you least want them to. With lenses with T and B settings, cable-release locks are superfluous; I've taped the collar locks open on my releases that have them.

Length is a personal preference, just make sure that a long(er) release doesn't droop in front of the lens when taking (don't ask me how I know...).

Best,

Doremus

[Alan Klein]

I'm sure you're right I'm obsessing. Got nothing else to do. The camera is in China and the lens is in Japan both in process of shipping. What's the expression about a "slow boat from China"? :)