bettis1 Loc: Texas

Those of us who are engaged with both cameras and guns recognize that the successful use of either has several points in common. (i.e. solid grip, steady breathing, squeezing the trigger/shutter button, follow through, etc.).

All shooters are familiar with the fact that they must gradually squeeze a trigger/button to achieve an unconscious break rather than jerking or flinching which disturbs the sight picture of either the gun or camera. Errors at that point result in a miss with a gun or a fuzzy picture with a camera.

Many of you may not be aware that there is another type of trigger utilized by many of the top flight trap shooters to dramatically reduce the chance of a flinch. It is called a RELEASE TRIGGER. Squeezing a standard trigger releases the sear to allow the firing pin to fall to ignite the primer. With a RELEASE TRIGGER, pulling the trigger sets the trigger and it does not release the firing pin until the finger pressure on the trigger is released. It is far less likely to disturb the point of aim than a squeeze.

It occurs to me that there are situations in photography where releasing the shutter button rather than pressing it would be advantageous. Since the shutter button is an electrical circuit rather than a mechanical device in a firearm trigger, it should not be too much of a difficulty to make that a user selected option for some cameras.

Bob

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

And then there is wifi...no cables, no shake..just a nice clean image that is also then transferred to my phone if I like. I rarely use my cable release these days. The only time is when my phone is nearly dead.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I suspect the only problem with a release activated shutter might be the same that plagued long range rifle shooters using release triggers decades ago. I eventually found a gunsmith in Reno who used a double "set" trigger reworked so that the rear trigger released the sear, but the forward trigger would fire only if you pulled it and then released it. But if you decided not to fire at the last moment, the sear could be reset by pushing the rear trigger forward.

With digital photography, it would not be so bad to "waste" a shot by releasing the shutter or other mechanism if you changed your mind. But what about continuous shooting? Would you then revert to standard procedure. The problem with a rifle shooting at a target (usually a Pronghorn) at 800-1000 yards was that, without a non-fire mechinasm, the problem of touching off a round was that the noise would spook the herd. That's not a problem with a camera, but training to switch between shutter release procedures might create confusion for some.

As to the mechanics of such a system, I'm sure a good electronics engineer could develop such a circuit; the only concern might be lag time. I, for one, would be willing to try it with a camera, although I abandoned the system on my .220 for safety reasons.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Bob, actually, cameras and guns don't really have much in common other the fact that we say we "shoot" with both!
And in WHAT situation would require a release over a push on a camera. A release would be much more difficult to do especially if you take into account that you need to activate the focus. At least no reason that I can think of.
In fact many opt to use BBF since it's much easier to simply MASH the BB instead of modulating the shutter button!! ;-)
SS

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Except that a good amount of camera shake that causes blur also comes from shutter movement. This is mitigated when you have an electronic shutter or electronic first curtain. But your idea seems pretty cool, though. But the times I am shooting with a long lens hand held and doing a burst, trigger action has nothing to do with blur - but my bad panning does. And if I am on a tripod, it's not an issue at all.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Yea well next time Im sat down with those Nikon execs Ill mention your idea. Im sure the R and D department will be working flat out next day!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Over 45 years of pushing a button and now a new technique to learn? No thanks. Not for me. I'd end up mashing on the button and cursing the camera for not working! I must admit, I'd probably get some interesting shots as I finally released the button while swinging off target!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I do some of both... lots of photography both for work and for fun, plus some fairly long-range target shooting with rifles as a hobby (my biggest problem is that the ranges I have easiest access to max out at 200 yd. and 300 yd.) I don't use a release trigger... But I do have finely tuned 1.75 lb. Timney's on two rifles.

For me "shooting" with a camera is different from shooting a gun in one respect... Often for what I shoot with a camera very careful timing is be important, while it seldom is when shooting a gun. Though I'm sure I could learn to use it over time, just as I've learned to account for the millisecond shutter lag of my cameras, I suspect a release trigger would be harder to time perfectly for a peak moment of action.

In other words, for me shooting with a camera is an extremely conscious action, while using a release trigger on a rifle would do as you say... deliberately making it a less conscious action. I just don't think it would work for sports/action, which is the bulk of that I do.

However, it certainly might work well for other more sedate things, such as landscape and architectural photography. Anything where a remote release might be used now (which does the same thing).



While I'm pretty sure you mean that sarcastically... You might be surprised to find Nikon actually interested in the idea. They're one of the top suppliers of relatively high quality rifle scopes and make some excellent ones. So does Pentax.

OP, something that might interest you is "trap focus". Not all cameras can do it, but some will hold the shutter release until the camera focuses... only tripping it when the subject comes in precise focus. That can be very useful for some things, such as handheld macro shots.

Also, back in the days of mechanical cameras there were "soft shutter release" button accessories available. I used some of those on SLR and rangefinder cameras. With today's electro-mechanical shutter releases, there isn't any way I can see to implement anything like that... Instead I use wired and wireless/IR remote releases. A lot of cameras today can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, too.

bettis1 Loc: Texas

Good responses, all. I'll do my best to reply.

Cdouthitt: No WiFi or no phone battery...no problem, just release trigger.

Sharpshooter: I didn't say that guns and cameras have things in common. I said that the successful USE of cameras and guns have things in common. As far as to what situation might benefit from a release trigger, I could envision a situation where a tripod might have been beneficial (i.e. a long lens) but one wasn't available. Just like vibration reduction, it would simply be another tool in the box.

Billyspad: Thanks. Be sure to mention me to them as the originator. :D

LFinger: 45 years without learning a new technique?? All I can say is that your learning curve was a lot flatter than mine. :mrgreen:

I can see where it would be of no use in situations such as burst shooting and I understand that it would be a new technique to master. However, just like learning to use a back button focus or remembering to turn off the vibration reduction when you are on a tripod, it doesn't seem out of the capabilities. Modern cameras have multiple options and multiple buttons which can be programed for special situations. This would be no different than reprograming for back button focus or moving the preview button. When a situation arises where a release trigger might be beneficial, just push the button to engage it.

Thanks for the discussions.

Bob

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I've learned plenty of new techniques in 45 years, but shutter release operation hasn't really changed much, so there hasn't been a whole lot to relearn, has there?

farnsworth52 Loc: W. Pa.

Don't really see much use for it. There are lots of ways to keep movement to a minimum.Mirror up,mechanical release,timed release, Electronic releases. I've done quite a bit of long range shooting and don't think the camera needs to be anywhere near a stable as long distance shooting.Shutter speed is quite able to keep the blur down.