Reviews

Custom Mechanical Cable Release Adapter (CMCRA)

Article Date: 30th January 2008
Written by: Siegfried Seierlein

The G7 / G9 mechanical cable release adapter is the most recent of a number of G7 accessories, manufactured by Richard Franiec.

The Cable Release is also the first accessory that is not really aimed at improving the handling or the experience one has when working with the G7 or the G9. The cable release is bringing back something of yesterday and combining that with the unique Rangefinder look and feel of the PowerShot G7 and G9.

Do we really need a cable release for the G7 or the G9? Is the different timers build in these cameras not enough to help us do the job?

One of the trademarks, Richard develop during the last 12 months of designing, manufacturing and selling his accessories is one of prompt service, good quality and good documentation. In a similar way was it a pleasure for me to receive the custom cable release last week, to unpack it and to sit back and enjoy the high level of craftsmanship displayed in the product.

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The custom cable release is supplied without the cable. It has a standard size hole that fit basically a standard type cable. When buying my cable the shop owner had 4 different cables for 4 different cameras, all from the same manufacturer. I then asked the guy what is the difference and he said, only the packaging. I then took the Canon cable and left for home.

Coming home the cable fitted like a dream and all was ready to be used. That brings me back to my question earlier, why would we need a cable release on the the G7 or the G9?

Well folks its simple. The nature of the G7 or the G9 is forcing us to get help. Picture you are set up in the school hall, your daughter is on stage tonight and you promised to take a few pictures of her. You did tell everybody just how capable these cameras are and you do not want to disappoint. The set up is as follows:

The G7 is fixed to a tripod, you have the Lensmate lens adapter fitted and on the front you have the the 1,75x Canon tele adapter fitted. You standing on the side, fairly close to the front and all is set up to press the shutter release. Remember you have IS set on Off, you upped the ISO to 800, you selected the first level digital zoom to help you keep the aperture wide open. Unfortunately the lighting is still such that the typical shutter speeds are 1/10 of a second and lower.

You selected the 2 second timer and off you go. I think you get the picture, there is just no way you will be able to time, to wait and to get that special moment that all will be standing still for that fraction of a second. Having the cable release fitted to the G7, you will be standing, virtually with the shutter in you hand, ready to take the picture. One important setting I did not mention. Set the focus manually, that means that when the shutter is triggered, then the G7 will instantaneously take the picture, without the need to focus first. 

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I used mine in various situations during the last week. In fact I had it semi permanently fitted to my G7 and it was fun to use plus the possibilities of benefitting from having it becomes clear once you start using it.

Its manufactured from the same material as the Hot Shoe Cover and it has a nice tight fit. At first I thought, maybe its a bit too tight but practicing a little with it I found a way of slipping it on from the side without applying much force.

What’s also unique is the fact that the zoom action still work as normal with the adapter fitted. The way its designed makes it possible to still use the zoom action.

I read that some folks like the size the adapter adds to the standard shutter release. They then remove the top part of the adapter so the shutter can be pressed as normal.

I like to conclude by saying, similar to the rest of Richard’s great range of G7 / G9 accessories, the cable release adapter is another masterpiece, well done Richard.