Can trap focusing damage the shutter button if I hold it fully pressed?
Asked 12/31/2015
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When using trap focus, the instructions say to pre-focus and then press and hold the shutter release all the way down until the subject reaches the focus point. Could holding the shutter button fully pressed damage the shutter release or shutter mechanism? How much pressure should be applied when doing this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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No, there's no problem. The instructions aren't telling you to force anything. Rather, most modern shutter release buttons actually have two settings — a light press (or half-press) and full. The half-press usually activates focus and possibly exposure calculations.
I don't know of any cameras with an actual physical mechanism to resist a full press, so you need not worry about breaking the shutter button by pressing it all the way. Instead, if they're in a focus priority mode (as opposed to release priority), they'll just ignore that full press. Or in this case, will allow it, but nothing will happen until focus is achieved.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
No. Trap focusing will not damage the shutter button or shutter mechanism if you use normal pressure.
On modern cameras, the shutter button is typically an electronic two-stage switch: a half-press for focus/metering and a full press to request the shot. In trap focus or focus-priority operation, the camera simply waits to fire until focus is confirmed. You are not forcing a mechanical linkage against resistance.
So just press the shutter the same way you normally would when taking a photo—firmly enough to reach the full-press position, but not with excessive force. The camera detects the button state electronically and then releases the shutter only when focus is achieved.
In short: use normal full-press pressure, don’t mash the button, and there’s no special risk from holding it down during trap focusing.
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