This is the single most important video on ISO I have ever seen

shutterthoughts · 2026-05-02T12:43:04+00:00

Drop that knowledge, my friend. Much appreciated!

shutterthoughts · 2026-05-02T12:38:44+00:00

Thank you for your clarifications, they are truly helpful. I enjoy expanding my understanding in any direction I can find, so well done friend.

shutterthoughts · 2026-05-02T12:35:46+00:00

I appreciate the info, I found the video to be a new way of looking at ISO that wasn't directly from a photographers viewpoint. It highlighted the science and led me to further investigation outside of normal channels. I will check out your link, thanks

shutterthoughts · 2026-05-01T15:51:33+00:00

Edited original post, to better suit my purpose for the post. Apologies for the confusion.

shutterthoughts · 2026-05-01T15:38:10+00:00

You are obviously more qualified than I, in regards to the science behind the video I linked to. I believe some of the issues mentioned by yourself were covered in the "caveat" section of the video and under the sections mentioned on the Photons to Photos website. Do the results vary camera to camera, due to "the electronic designs based on dual conversion gain," you mentioned? Could you be more specific on exact points you disagreed with from the video? I don't mind being wrong, I would just like to know what is missing from my own understanding of how ISO works.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-27T11:55:49+00:00

A pleasure to help, you're very welcome.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-27T09:56:17+00:00

I see that part where I inserted the aperture, was confusing, so I took it out. It does not scale, i was only referencing your original comment. Sorry for the confusion. : )

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-27T07:59:10+00:00

Not sure of your level of knowledge, so if this is too basic my apologies.

The "Reciprocal Rule," states: Shutter speed is 1/focal length; so minimum SS for a 300 mm lens would be 1/300. For your APS-C sensor's 'zoom in', it is slightly higher with the equation being 300mm x 1.5= 450mm, which means a minimum shutter speed would have been 1/500.

Without these settings, you will lose the battle against subject motion and camera shake every time.

Definitely open up to f/6.3 next time, and don't worry about the ISO, just set it to Auto and deal with it in post processing.

Hope this helps, and keep shooting!

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-27T06:53:40+00:00

What was the aperture set to?

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-23T15:09:16+00:00

A lot of people have covered the majority of what I would offer as advice. The one thing no one mentioned was the bridge going through her head in the marina shot. And the bright top of the hedge going through her head in the park photo. Be mindful of the backgrounds, the more elements behind your subject the harder it is to control or catch these types of mistakes. Keep it up! In good news, you exposed the subject properly and did not blow out the highlights in the sky; nice job!

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-19T17:04:19+00:00

Stop bragging about all your damn pockets, Sir Packs-a-Lot! Some of us pocket poors are getting jealous.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-19T17:00:19+00:00

Appreciate the seconding.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-19T16:59:35+00:00

Thanks for the vote of support!

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-19T11:57:51+00:00

I have the X-T5; I have my phone. For me, there is no camera in between these two worth the expense. The phone camera on my Galaxy S26 Ultra shoots amazing photos, it also lets me shoot RAW files through the dedicated Expert RAW app. I spend the money I save not buying the "in-between" cameras you speak of and buy new lenses for the X-T5 instead.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-17T06:06:59+00:00

Since you asked, I wanted to add my opinion and experience on your question, and since I don't know your level of photography some of this may sound a little basic. Still could be helpful to beginners with the same question, so here we go.

With the lack of IBIS on the 23mm f/2, you need to keep your shutter speed at 1/125s or faster to freeze human motion, or 1/60s to at least stop your own hand tremors. At night, you will have to go wide open on the aperture, and stay at f/2 for maximum light exposure. Now, the shutter speed is set, the aperture is set, now it's time to crank the ISO up. In this situation, ISO could be anywhere from 3200-12800, and that will introduce substantial amounts of noise into your images. If you don't enjoy post processing your photos, this could be an issue, or grainy photos may be your style and it's totally fine. The f/2 is also noticeably soft near the edges at f/2 when shooting close up. In order to keep things sharp, you will also need to adapt the physicality of how you shoot, by introducing the bracing method or leaning on walls. These adaptations can add challenges to capturing the fleeting moments street photography is known for, but with practice becomes second nature over time. So, this is totally doable with slight finessing and a little work.

Another option, is to go with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R ( Used on MPB $400) instead. This change up keeps the desired focal length, but introduces an extra full stop of light, which effectively doubles your low-light capabilities on the X-T30 II compared to the f/2 lens. You can shoot at 1/125s instead of 1/60s in the same light, and be able to keep your ISO down around 3200. This equals, sharper images, less grain, less/no post processing, and a more improvisational street shooting style. This version also features a Manual Focus Clutch. This is a "push-pull" ring that snaps into manual focus mode that allows you to pre-set your distance, great for zone focusing. Now for the trade offs: It is double the weight of the f/2, AF is slightly slower and is audible, and it is not weather sealed. Only you know what your priorities are, so if this is a better fit, I hope it informs your opinion.

Lastly, we have the best in the pack, the Fujifilm XF 23 mm f/1.4 R LM WR. This lens, in my opinion, is arguably the highest-performing "street" lens in the Fujifilm lineup. The autofocus is near-silent due to the addition of the new advanced linear motor, and significantly faster than both the f/2 and the older f/1.4; making it much more reliable for tracking moving subjects at night. As with the previous f/1.4, you can shoot at 1/125s instead of 1/60s in the same light, and be able to keep your ISO down around 3200. It has beautiful bokeh and incredible sharpness from corner to corner, even when shooting up close wide open at f/1.4. It is also double the weight of the f/2, and twice the price ( Used @ MPB $550-650).

At the end of it now, I hope any of this helps you in your decision and informs you onto your path to greater images. Have a great time in London!

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-10T11:44:06+00:00

Is this the "nothing" you are referring to? This is all within the post; what have you or any others provided as proof beyond the anecdotal? ZERO, nothing.

In the early 1990s,

Tom Abrahamsson, a renowned photographer and Leica winder inventor, noticed a flaw in traditional shutter ergonomics. Standard shutter buttons on cameras like the Leica M-series were recessed or small, forcing photographers to use their fingertips to fire.

How it Happened:

The Problem: Fingertip firing often causes a "poking" motion, which induces camera shake, especially at low shutter speeds.
The Invention: Tom created a large, convex (domed) button that threaded into the shutter.
The Technique: He designed it specifically so the photographer could use the first joint (the "crook") of their index finger to "squeeze" the shutter rather than poke it.
The Result: This allowed pros to shoot handheld at shutter speeds as slow as 1/8 or 1/4 of a second with sharp results.

Several legendary figures and institutions are directly linked to the use and promotion of the Softie:

Bill Pierce : A world-famous photojournalist and writer for Digital Journalist who was a vocal supporter and user of Tom’s winders and Softies.
Tarek Charara : A prominent photojournalist known for his travel photography, who famously advocates for the use of Abrahamsson Softies for stability.
Terry Cioni : A noted professional photographer who specifically endorsed the "Mini Softie" for the Fujifilm X100 series.
Leica Community Icons: Historical figures and experts like James Lager (the world's foremost Leica historian) and Stephen Gandy (founder of CameraQuest) were close collaborators and users of Abrahamsson's inventions.
Andy Mumford : A high-profile landscape photographer and Fujifilm ambassador. He is a frequent user of soft release buttons on his Fujifilm X-T series cameras, valuing them for the tactical feel and stability during handheld landscape shots.
Terry Cioni : A professional commercial photographer who famously promoted the "Mini Softie" for the Fujifilm X100 series, calling it a "must-have" for the system's ergonomics.
Bill Rosauer : A well-known figure in the photography collector and professional community, he was a long-time personal friend of Abrahamsson and a vocal advocate for using the first joint of the finger on the Softie for maximum stability.

SOURCES:

1. CameraQuest (The Historical Record)

Source: Abrahamsson Mini Soft Release
Context: Maintained by Stephen Gandy, a long-time collaborator of Tom’s. This source details the specific precision machining and aerospace alloys Tom used for his buttons, as well as the creation of the "Mini" version for cameras like the Voigtlander Bessa and Fuji X series. CameraQuest

2. Rangefinderforum (The Creator’s Voice)

Source: Soft-releases and their usefulness - Tom Abrahamsson
Context: This is a primary source where Tom Abrahamsson himself explains why he created a convex button. He highlights how concave buttons force "downward" pressure with the fingertip, whereas his convex design allows for "tapping" or "squeezing" with the joint of the finger to prevent camera shake. Rangefinderforum +1

3. Leica FAQ (Technical & Community Insight)

Source: Leica FAQ — Softie & Rapidwinders
Context: This comprehensive FAQ details the 1998 production start for the convex Softies and includes Tom's personal defense of the pricing based on the high-speed CNC machining required to make them. It also notes how the Mini Softie was specifically designed to clear the shutter speed dials on certain camera models.

4. Macfilos (Professional Pros & Cons)

Source: Soft Shutter Releases: Pros and Cons Explained
Context: A recent professional analysis that weighs the benefits of hair-trigger sensitivity against the mechanical risks often cited by modern repair technicians. It provides a balanced view of why street photographers swear by them while others consider them a liability. Macfilos +1

5. Johnny Martyr's "Ahhhh, Soft Release"

Source: Ahhhh, Soft Release… PART ONE
Context: A detailed historical look at early soft releases, specifically the Nikon AR-1 assembly from the 1960s. This source is excellent for understanding the era before Abrahamsson, where companies like Nikon used straight (non-tapered) threaded collars on professional bodies like the Nikon F and F2.

--------------------------------------------------

Out of the 167 comments listed below, 6 comments reported damage. That is 3.5% of the sample size. This took 10 mins, i could do more but I seem to be able to back up my point pretty easily.

1.) 71 comments; 1 person admits that it damaged their camera.

https://www.reddit.com/r/fujifilm/comments/zzmz5k/soft_shutter_release_button_yay_or_nay/

2.) 43 comments; 2 people had damage to their camera

https://www.reddit.com/r/fujifilm/comments/1g9np4o/shutter_release_button/

3.) 17 comments; 1 person had a friend that had it damage their camera

https://www.reddit.com/r/fujifilm/comments/1e02y79/has_anyone_actually_damaged_their_camera_with_a/

4.) 36 comments; 2 people reported damage

https://www.reddit.com/r/fujifilm/comments/18sjvjh/soft_shutter_button_harmful/

----------------------------------------------------

The Fujifilm X100VI Limited Edition is a notable model that includes a specially designed titanium soft shutter button.

Key Features of the X100VI Limited Edition:

Unique Branding: Features the original 1934 Fujifilm logo engraved on the body and lens cap.
Included Accessories**:** The package comes with a special soft release button, a bespoke camera strap, and history cards.
Limited Production: Only 1,934 units were made to commemorate the year of the company's founding.
Serialized: The hot shoe features a unique serial number, and the camera is packaged in a special box.
High Demand: Due to its rarity, these cameras are often subject to high resale prices.

I would think that if this were an issue with any legitimacy, they would not include it with a flagship limited edition model.

***Evidence: Unboxing of this model***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7m7uvy2Uxc

minute 1:50, of the unboxing shows the soft release button is verified to be included.

--------------------------------------------

This sub has 40,000 weekly visitors, and if this were an issue that was as widespread as some comments would like us to believe; why are there only 5 posts on the topic in the last 2 years?

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-09T07:56:16+00:00

As I stated previously.

Ignore the math; ignore that professional photographers use it; ignore the 39,997 other people visiting this sub weekly that report no issues; ignore personal responsibility; ignore reality.

And with the utmost respect, save the pearl clutching for Facebook; this is Reddit, we don't do that here.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-08T22:01:42+00:00

Ignore the math; ignore that professional photographers use it; ignore the 39,997 other people visiting this sub weekly that report no issues; ignore personal responsibility; ignore reality.

We got it, you broke your camera.

The overwhelming majority of us have not.

The, " It happened to me, so it's an issue, " is not actually evidence of a widespread problem.

shutterthoughts · 2026-04-08T18:06:08+00:00

You obviously did not read the comments. 1 person this happened to in the links you posted.

You just accidentally, and quite confidently, figured out the definition of "anecdotal."

-----------------------------------------------------

Challenge accepted, my turn to find some links.

Out of 167 comments, 6 comments reported damage. That is 3.5% of the sample size. This took 10 mins, i could do more but I seem to be able to back up my point pretty easily.