[Leica] Tom Abrahamsson's Soft Release Prototype Trial

[Leikon35@aol.com]

 After using a prototype of Tom Abrahamsson's soft release for a week,
my first impressions are that Tom has another winner.  The device seems
to be made from aluminum or a similar alloy just like Fred Ward's (which
I had been using on my M2, M3 & M4 -- but it has a wider diameter than
Freds (15mm compared to 12mm) therefore fits flush with the cameras
release ring and the heftier release also has a knurled rim compared to
the sharp rim allowing a better finger grip.  I didn't try it on a M6 because
I am rough on my Leicas and want them always to be in a ready to shoot
condition, so I put them in my bag with the shutter cocked.

I don't like the term "snap-shot" & prefer & recommend "sqeeze-off" as a
better word as well as a better method of taking pictures.  Even though the
M2,M3 & M4 have no meters to activate - there is still almost 1/8" of play
before the shutter goes off and it is only the last millimeter that activates
the shutter.  I wonder if there is any adjustment for this play?  Tom would
probably know but he is still in Tokyo. The important thing to remember
for shooting at slow shutter speeds is to squeeze not snap.

Before Tom left on his trip, he told me that one of the changes will be to
shave 1/1000" off the thread, which will enable the release to "sit" on the
shoulder of the camera release button & thereby "pull" the thread against
the camera thread making it less likely to come off & get lost.  I don't like
the idea of using lock-tite or anything like that and I have used all three
releases: Fred's, Tom's & the Leitz OZTNO without any coming off and
getting lost.  Maybe Ted and I have both been fortunate & born under a
a lucky star about a year apart or maybe it is treating a Leica like you
would treat a car, with a CLA at least every 5 to 10 years although I have
heard that the suggested first tune-up for the new BMW is 100,000 miles.

As far as cosmetic looks, if there is any demand for it they can be made
in red or black, like the idea behind the after market US made Leica hand-
grip so that the user of 2 Leicas with 2 films can easily tell them apart.

Marvin Moss