Cable Releases

[Bob Gentile]

While browsing over at B&H, I noticed that cable releases range from somewhere around $8 to around $80!

Whoa! That's quite a spread. I guess I never really thought all that much about cable releases, cuz I can't see why there'd be a 10X price difference. I mean... it's just a cable release, right?

What am I missing?

[Ron Marshall]

I have a few different brands. I find that between $15 and $25 you get sufficient quality.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Some are more durable than others. Some have handy features like ring locks or screw locks. Some have small nipples that fit into small spaces on recessed lensboards. Some are more flexible than others. Some have a longer throw. Longer ones tend to be more expensive than shorter ones of the same design.

[Bob Gentile]

I guess that's about what I figured. The one I have now cost around $15 -- fifteen years ago.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks!

[Kirk Gittings]

Self cocking shutters, particularly the Prontors, require a very stiff and sturdy cable release or they wear out quickly. The cheap ones will not last a week.

[Doug Dolde]

I like the Linhof cables best.

[Ralph W. Lambrecht]

A good cable release is 40" long, has a locking feature and should still freely move when a lose knot is put into the cable. I got all of the above from realeses at around $25 - $40.

[Lee Hamiel]

Take a look at this thread & scroll down to Noah's comments regarding straight & tapered variations.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00G7ej

[Ole Tjugen]

My quick solution to the cable release question came in the form of a big box of miscellaneous "stuff" I bought on ebay. I can't remember what I paid for it, I guess around $20. And $50 shipping? Anyway, among all the other stuff (30 different lens shades, lots of filters, 20 Graflex lens boards, 4 light meters and more) were 15 cable releases of different lengths, materials, stiffness and nipple length.

Problem solved.

Now where did I put my locking 10cm short-nipple release for deeply recessed Compur #00? ...

[Nick_3536]

Ya I've picked up a handfull of German made releases brand new off Ebay to. Not much money if you look past the shop worn packaging.

[BrianShaw]

Self cocking shutters, particularly the Prontors, require a very stiff and sturdy cable release or they wear out quickly. The cheap ones will not last a week.
This is funny to read. I didn't know cable releases "wore out" until I had that happen to me recently. For some of us (me, for instance) a cheap one might last a couple of years rather than just a week... but the failure is likely to happen when it is least expected or desired (as was my personal experience). My rule is to buy good cable releases and carry a spare!

[Kirk Gittings]

This is funny to read. I didn't know cable releases "wore out" until I had that happen to me recently. For some of us (me, for instance) a cheap one might last a couple of years rather than just a week... but the failure is likely to happen when it is least expected or desired (as was my personal experience). My rule is to buy good cable releases and carry a spare!

Amen to that.

[paulr]

i've never had one wear out, but i've broken the tips off of several. the cheap ones and the nice ones snap off just as easily, so i go with the cheap ones.

to make life easier, i have one of those shortie releases permanently attached to each lens. so it's always there and I don't have to mess with it, ever.

i don't know why it has to be longer than 6 or 8 inches. i'm always standing next to the camera, helping to block wind.

[Bob Gentile]

i've never had one wear out, but i've broken the tips off of several. the cheap ones and the nice ones snap off just as easily, so i go with the cheap ones.

to make life easier, i have one of those shortie releases permanently attached to each lens. so it's always there and I don't have to mess with it, ever.

i don't know why it has to be longer than 6 or 8 inches. i'm always standing next to the camera, helping to block wind.That pretty much sums up my feelings about the subject.