Topic: Cable release for the Polaroid 600SE

[Kai-san]

The Polaroid 600SE is a rather heavy camera and I usually prefer to use a tripod when out shooting with it. That is when the need for a cable release arises as using the release on the hand grip can cause movement of the camera. But the threads on my Mamiya 75mm is straight as shown on the photo of the hand grip cable below, whereas almost all cable releases has a conical thread. I have tried a large number of cable releases on this lens, but I can only get them to stay connected for a short while before they fall out. I even bought one off the bay that was supposed to be an original release, but that didn't fit at all! I'm sure that some of you fellow wasters own a venerable GooSE, perhaps you have solved the problem I have with this lens?

[Francois]

I don't think I've ever seen a cable that isn't conical or "Leica Nipple" type...

Maybe you could re-thread a regular conical release to the proper diameter and thread count?

[Bryan]

I have a few very old cable releases for some older brownie cameras that have the straight thread.  It may be a different size though.

[Kai-san]

I don't know if it is possible to thread a conical shape with a cylindrical thread, and rethreading something that already has threads sounds a bit risky. I would in case have to find out if it's metric or inch and find the correct pitch and lead. I have already tried to file down a conical thread to make it cylindrical, but that was no success. Maybe I shall have to get hold of a complete hand grip and cannibalize it.

[Francois]

Japanese things are usually metric.
I would simply measure the diameter of the hole and select a die with a similar looking thread... just eyeballing it.
I noticed that these come in common varieties so the number of options per diameter are pretty limited.

You can always use screws to get the right thread and diameter, then it's just a matter of trying them until one screws in.

There's also most probably some adapters for this type of things...

[Kayos]

Re-threading a thread usually means going down 2 sizes so probably not practical on something so small, a taper thread to a straight thread would mean it was smaller than the point of the taper.

Any idea on measurements at all? As all it would need is a threaded bar of the right size with a hole through for the release cable

[MJL]

I had the same experience with my 600SE lenses (150, 127 & 75) until I found the Gepe 12" Plastic Covered Cable Release with Disc-Lock (#601211).  It still has a conical end, but it will stay on the lenses.

PS: I think the cable release with the 600Se must be unique to Mamiya, because it cannot fit into my Polaroid 100B lens.

[Kai-san]

Thanks for the tip MJL! I just checked the availability of this particular model, and there are only three webshops that carries it. All three are american, and two of them will not ship internationally. The one that will ship has the highest price by far. 
GEPE is originally a Swedish company, but their distributor in Norway do not carry the cable releases. 
In the mean time I have been using a release from Silvestri that I purchased from Linhof Studio not so long ago, and so far it seems to be working. It has a less steep cone than the "Leica nipple".
As I was writing this I suddenly had a bright idea (doesn't happen a lot, don't worry). Next time I will put a drop of Loc-tite (or equivalent) on the threads before I screw it in. Hopefully that will hold it in place, at least for a longer period of time.
As for the compatibility with Mamiya Press it seems that they have tried to change everything on the 600SE. Lens bayonet and film back locks are different, so why not the cable release as well!

[Skorj]

Hi. I remove cable release and trip shutter lever manually on my 600SE. If done correctly, it does not move camera... Never tried to use a conventional cable release accordingly. Skj

[Option 8]

Tapered, just not TOO tapered, will fit just fine if not perfectly.

If you want a replacement cable release they can be found in the pistol grip handles of many Polaroid science cameras. They have blue or green buttons and use the exact same parts, internally, as the 600SE cable release.

[Francois]

I just found something I'd been looking for in my stuff...
Just for random information, here is a picture of a regular cable release on the left and a "Leica Nipple" type release on the right.

[Kai-san]

Skorj, I've tried removing the handle too, but I felt it was too short and restricting. The science camera handles could be an option if I can get hold of one. I've seen some of those on the bay earlier, but right now there was nothing. I'm also considering removing the release cable from my existing handle to make a separate release out of that.
Thanks to all for the input! 

[Bryan]

I have a few different cable releases that have a straight thread.  The two on the left are both Bolex brand and I believe they are for the H series cameras.  I have other Bolex cable releases that have a tapered thread.  I don't know the brand of the other two, the plastic one was made it Taiwan.  These all seem to work ok in most cameras, even ones that also take a tapered thread.  They probably just don't thread in quite as far. 

[Kai-san]

The Bolex ones look promising if they have the correct thread. The others seem to have a different type of thread. That's the problem when the lens has a straight thread, the cable needs to have exactly the same size thread.

[Bryan]

PM me if you're interested in one of mine, there are also plenty on eBay.