Low Tech question! I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do...

William Royer Loc: Kansas

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

One approach would be to use a needle nose pliers and tighten only a very tiny amount more that what you can do by hand. I was going to suggest loctite blue but there is no way you want that going down and into the body itself. Unlike say the FM or F2, yours don't have threads in the collar instead of the center.

therwol Loc: USA

William Royer wrote:

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

Maybe Loctite 222 (Low Strength) or Loctite 242 (Medium Strength).

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-555339-Strength-Thread-Locker/dp/B07CNNJJ79/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1QY9NKONJNXY5&keywords=loctite%2Blow%2Bstrength%2Bthreadlocker&qid=1707762316&sprefix=loctite%2Blow%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-9&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Heavy-Duty-Threadlocker-Single/dp/B000I1RSNS/ref=sr_1_6?crid=CONCJ2O2OPRH&keywords=loctite%2Bmedium%2Bstrength%2Bthreadlocker&qid=1707762530&sprefix=loctite%2Bmediu%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-6&th=1

I wouldn't use their permanent thread locker.

You can probably find this stuff in hardware stores as well. Be careful. This stuff comes out as liquid and runs. You don't want it falling into your shutter release. Put just a small dab on the thread of the rubber shutter release.

Disclaimer: I have not tried this, but I've used the products on other things. I don't want to be responsible for anyone damaging or gumming up their cameras.

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

A dab of finger nail polish on the threads will work wonders.

M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess

Warhorse wrote:

A dab of finger nail polish on the threads will work wonders.

That works.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I probably wouldn’t use the Loctite on it. I used it religiously when I restored a 1974 Harley. Of course there is a lot of shake and vibration on a machine that size…..500# more or less. I had to use a tool, wrench or Allen to remove any I’d installed and had to remove. A precision device like a camera seems to “dainty” for it. It also finds its way into places you don’t want it to go. That’s ok on a motor mount, not so much on a camera.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Orphoto wrote:

One approach would be to use a needle nose pliers and tighten only a very tiny amount more that what you can do by hand. I was going to suggest loctite blue but there is no way you want that going down and into the body itself. Unlike say the FM or F2, yours don't have threads in the collar instead of the center.

Good luck with preserving the thread!!!

BAD IDEA!

Best so far is using some product to help friction. As a negative, anything added can seep into the shutter and destroy it.

Best bet is just be careful.

A possible solution that does not involve additive is to purchase a longer trigger cable and tap it to whatever you use as support, avoid taping to the camera to the camera.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

William Royer wrote:

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

DO NOT use any type of glue or liquid to accomplish this.
You only need to create enough friction to hold it firmly in place.

Try dropping a strand of dental floss in the hole. Screw the soft button in and trim of the remaining floss.

Hope this was helpful.

User ID

William Royer wrote:

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

I use nail polish for all such "removeable but glued in place" needs. Theres also Locktite "Blue" version. Very popular for such jobs.

I see a lotta silly warnings in some replies. I guess they really cant believe anyone could excercise any common sense with liquids.

If you put nail polsh in the hole, instead of onto the threads of the add-on button, then those worry worts are correct. Acoarst, YOU will prove them wrong !

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

User ID wrote:

I use nail polish for all such "removeable but glued in place" needs. Theres also Locktite "Blue" version. Very popular for such jobs.

I see a lotta silly warnings in some replies. I guess they really cant believe anyone could excercise any common sense with liquids.

If you put nail polsh in the hole, instead of onto the threads of the add-on button, then those worry worts are correct. Acoarst, YOU will prove them wrong !

You are correct sir, I guess I was a little remiss when I "assumed" everyone would know enough not to put it in the female threaded section, but on the male threads.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

William Royer wrote:

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

Hopefully, this won't be clear off the course for your need.

At times, I have used a small amount of tracing paper, or wax paper in an attachment to snug up a small connector (not camera items, so I don't know if this is totally wrong for that), when I needed some extra resistance to loosening, but did not want something as semi-permanent as a Locktite type thread locker.

tcthome Loc: NJ

therwol wrote:

Maybe Loctite 222 (Low Strength) or Loctite 242 (... (show quote)

Sometimes you see it on bolts that come with a product that needs assemby. So it is dry. But???

therwol Loc: USA

tcthome wrote:

Sometimes you see it on bolts that come with a product that needs assemby. So it is dry. But???

It comes out of the tube or bottle wet. You're seeing it after it dries. I think that the challenge would be to not have it run into the camera.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

William Royer wrote:

I like to use the ‘soft shutter release buttons’ on my older, Nikon cameras — such as the FM2n or FE2. The kind that screw into the shutter buttons. BUT, they do have a nasty habit of becoming unscrewed, then lost. And, they do cost to replace.
So, my question is whether someone has a good way to secure them so they do not so easily unscrew themselves, yet are not so glued in that they can not be readily removed when desired?
Any thoughts that have worked for you are welcome.

You might try a wrap or two of Teflon tape. It makes plumbing joints tight but is easy to unscrew when you want.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

User ID wrote:

I use nail polish for all such "removeable but glued in place" needs. Theres also Locktite "Blue" version. Very popular for such jobs.

I see a lotta silly warnings in some replies. I guess they really cant believe anyone could excercise any common sense with liquids.

If you put nail polsh in the hole, instead of onto the threads of the add-on button, then those worry worts are correct. Acoarst, YOU will prove them wrong !

I think you may be forgetting many people simply have no experience in the usage of these liquids or many other types of glues or hardeners. It isn't at all they are dumb but simply don't know. You might have experience and would put a small amount on a toothpick or Q-tip to put that small amount on the threads. To others three drops is a small amount.

Dennis