Though they may seem like just jewelry, the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons have a fair amount of functionality to them as well as customization. You should know first and foremost that they’re made of Sterling Silver. That may sound a bit too bourgeois for some folks, but if you’re into customizations and a bit of the tactile experience, then you’ll understand how these can be really nice. For the uninitiated, soft shutter release buttons make the experience of pushing your camera shutter easier with less effort but without making them more sensitive. That doesn’t sound like such a big task until you actually experience it in person. I’d liken the experience to using an actual keyboard vs the one that you’ve got on the touchscreen device that many of you are using to read this blog post. There surely is a difference. I’d hate to write a long, essay format email on my iPhone 8 Plus but on my iMac’s Keyboard that would be significantly simpler to do. Synonymously, hammering a camera shutter over and over again can put some wear and tear on your fingers and hands in combination with typing on your phone, typing on a computer, etc.

Tech Specs

There are six different buttons. But here are the specs for the Sumire button

A styled take on Violet Sumire Blossom. This design is finished in polished and oxidized Sterling Silver 925. The soft-domed elements and a concaved middle are adding a comfort feel on the finger. Post thread compatible with all Leica M cameras.

Gear Used

The Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons were affixed to my Leica CL. In the process, they sent me a second button that works swimmingly with my Fujifilm X Pro 1.

Ergonomics

When you get the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons, they come in a jewelry case that is clearly too large for them. However, this case also houses a plastic baggy with tiny rubber washers. These washers are used to provide more or less dampening and softening when you press the button. They act like a cushion essentially.

When you look at the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons, you notice their beautiful designs. They’re made of sterling silver and when you think about it, these were probably pretty difficult to make considering the fair amount of detail.

More of that detail comes out when you flip the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons upside down. Here you’ll find the screw that you’re supposed to use to connect it to your Leica camera.

Once the screw is in place, you’ll just use it for shooting. Every now and again you may want to tighten it, but that’s the case with every single shutter release button I’ve ever used.

Build Quality

The Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons are pretty darn gorgeous. They’re small and add a little dash of flair to your camera. But on top of that, they’re also real metal and curved to make placing your finger on them really comfortable. Most soft shutter release buttons have a gummy, rubbery texture. This doesn’t. Instead, they’re sterling silver and make the shutter experience less of one where you insert the pad of your finger into a hole designed for screws and instead onto a concave silver button. It’s nice. It’s a much different tactile experience and the photographers that I think would most appreciate this are both Leica and Fujifilm users because of all the dials and knobs those cameras have.

Ease of Use

Essentially what you’re doing with the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons is screwing them into the hole for the shutter release. But if that’s still not nice enough of an experience, you can add the little rubber dampeners to make pushing the shutter a softer situation. I’ve done this with both my Leica CL and the Fujifilm X Pro 1. It’s a significantly different experience that is very difficult to put into words besides my description of using an actual keyboard vs a touchscreen. But what I can say is that it makes the entire, prolonged experience of shooting for long periods of time easier and softer on your hands and shutter finger.

Beyond this simple operation is Bashert’s excellent customer service. When I first got in touch with them, they sent over a button. The button, we found out, was too long for the Leica CL. Too long, you ask? Yes. It screwed in, held the shutter down, and didn’t allow it to come back up. That prevented use of the camera’s main function: taking pictures. I took a really long time to return the button due to, well, busy season; but once I did Stan and the team modified it and sent it back along with a second button. Bashert needed to trim the screw down to work with the CL, but it’s otherwise designed to work fine with most other Leica M cameras. With the second button, I affixed it to the shutter of my Fujifilm X Pro 1 after adding one of the rubber washers to dampen the experience more. Once things got rolling, Bashert finished everything within a few days.

I really need to commend their customer service. Though at this point, I’ll ethically need to state that I get to keep these buttons. But I’m positive they’ll treat every customer the same: with respect.

Conclusions

Years ago, I wasn’t totally sure about ergonomics kit upgrades to cameras until Fujifilm and Olympus really made me aware of what they can do for your camera and the shooting experience. As it is, other journalists I know often add upgrades to their cameras. They truly do make the difference and the Bashert Jewelry Leica Shutter Release buttons are no exception. Sure, they’re more novelty and expensive, but for the money you’re paying you’re getting a solid experience and a gorgeous product. Plus the customer service is amongst the most stellar I’ve ever experienced.

That, more than anything else, is worth your money: solid customer service vs AI automation that our world seems to be moving towards instead.