Dependable Cable Release

[AnzaRunner]

I've had two cable releases fail on me. They seem like they are simple enough, but I had another one crap out on me today while I was shooting. If you guys have some suggestions on quality cable releases that will last a long time, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[Bob Salomon]

Gepe Pro, Linhof, Kaiser

[Aender Brepsom]

I've been using the Hama Professional model. It is +/- identical to the excellent Horseman model (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91739-REG/Horseman_29542_Cable_Release_Large.html) and similar to the GEPE Pro Profi model.
Some people also like the Ebony cable releases.

It is worth spending a bit more on a good one.

[Joanna Carter]

Agreed 100% on the Hama Professional. I have several of these and can vouch for their combination of sturdiness and flexibility. The tip end is protected by a supple spring-like reinforcement.

[Archphoto]

I have 2 Linhofs for the past 25 years.... 1 for spare, still.

Cheap ones I have thrown out because they felt flimpsy.

Peter

[MIke Sherck]

That's a failure I haven't encountered. How did they fail?

Mike

[AnzaRunner]

That's a failure I haven't encountered. How did they fail?

Mike

On the first one, the woven metal part came loose from the end fitting (lens side), and the entire thing fell apart. The one I was using yesterday would no longer extend the plunger all the way anymore. I'm not quite sure how, but it is no longer able to trip the shutter. It proved to be a frustrating experience as I was trying to take a shot but nothing was happening. I ended up having to manually trigger the shutter.

[evan clarke]

Ebony, just the best..Evan Clarke

[Steve Hamley]

Another vote for the Hama professional - also appears to be the same as one of the Gepe models which I have.

Cheers, Steve

[Ron Marshall]

I'm very happy with this:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/BR5120/

[Jrewt]

I've been using these cheap pentax labeled releases from KEH for ten years. They even have them used, for 8 bucks or something =)

[John Kasaian]

I've had very good service from my Gepes aboard my old double action shutters like the Universals and Betax. IMHO just about anything will trip a Copal though, so the Minettes (which won't reliably trip---if at all--- any DA shutter I have in the fleet) are what I'll use on Copals.

[MIke Sherck]

Although I've never had a shutter release cable fail and I use cheap ones from the local camera store, perhaps their reliability is improved because I have one for each lens and don't remove them once attached. I'll have to examine them tonight and see if I can see signs of wear. Maybe this thread was a warning! :)

[J. Patric Dahlen]

The Hama "Professional" cable release is made in Germany by Gebrüder Schreck. They have made cable releases since 1922, sold under their own name "GSW" and rebranded. You can buy from them directly:

http://www.gebr-schreck.com/ESITE/index.html

I have two of their standard type with cloth "tube" (polyester?) and lock screw, 50 and 100cm. I got the 100cm with the mail today. I also bought a 15cm extension, that I can use with a accessory selftimer like the Autoknips IV or V. :D

http://www.xn--drahtauslser-djb.com/SESSION/18217/P1.html

http://www.submin.com/general/collection/accessories/autoknips_iv.htm

[J. Patric Dahlen]

I have a cheap one made in Taiwan. It has a metal coil (instead of wire) inside a larger coil, covered with a too short plastic tube. When pressed, the friction between the inner and outer coils makes it vibrate so much that it's unusable for slow shutter speeds. :rolleyes: An 80 year old cable release from F. Deckel is better than that! :D