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Do New Cameras Have a Different Shutter?


barjohn

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I just received a new M8 serial 3330481 and there are several differences apparent from the get go. First, is the shutter is so much quieter. I can't believe the difference. It has firmware 1.10 so it is one behind on the firmware. No thunk and the whirr is much quieter. The switch detents are much better too with firm stops in each position. Unfortunately, I am finding that it front focuses on my 90/2 Cron, 50/2 Cron and my 40/2 Minolta but appears to be close on the 28/2.8 (its greater depth of field may be masking the front focus). Next is to check for sensor cleanliness and see if the shutter stays as quiet when I upgrade the firmware. By the way, the shutter goes to 1/8000 so it isn't the 1/4000 shutter.

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No spots on the sensor which is good news. The only issue appears to be the front focusing. I will attempt to adjust the cam slgihtly using the 90 and the 50. High ISO seems cleaner too but that might be my imagination. I will compare to the test shots I took with the previous two M8s and see how they compare. I am going to try the upgrade next. I sure hope it doesn't change the shutter because this one is really quiet compared to my two previous M8s.

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Upgraded firmware to 1.2 and shutter is still much quieter. This is an improved camera over S/N 3101849 I had previously. Anyone else notice a difference between the older versions and the newest ones? I will measure the SPL level of this shutter. Somewhere in an older thread I think I posted the SPL level of the prior S/N.

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Back on post #69 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/44675-new-shutter-sound-what-s-your-4.html I measured +0.5db on the average scale on the 60db range and +6db on the A scale set to fast (peak). With the new camera I get -3db on the average setting and +3.0db on the peak reading. That is better than the readings I was getting from the sound sample from the new shutter. It is definitely much quieter. I have no idea what they may have done.

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That is definitely strange... any complex product has some modification during its lifecycle, but such a difference in a component that was declared to have a new version, but apparently (1/8000) is NOT the new version... Let's wait for someone else to notice the same, just to verify is a standard of new bodies and not a lucky exception of yours. I don't follow other forums... but think such a news shall emerge somewhere (unless all new buyers have never had "classic" M8 in hands)

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Back on post #69 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/44675-new-shutter-sound-what-s-your-4.html I measured +0.5db on the average scale on the 60db range and +6db on the A scale set to fast (peak). With the new camera I get -3db on the average setting and +3.0db on the peak reading. That is better than the readings I was getting from the sound sample from the new shutter. It is definitely much quieter. I have no idea what they may have done.

 

That is an amazing halving of the sound!

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I can see it now, endless agonising here as to whether to have a camera upgraded to the 1/4000 second shutter; if this new shutter is also quieter, its it going to be worth the cost. Maybe Leica should offer this as an upgrade instead. As usual, confusion reigns.

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Guest guy_mancuso

I know Leica can adjust the release to be smoother but noise is another matter and i am just not sure they can without the new shutter. Also i know there are no camera's with the new shutters because i just asked to demo one at our workshop and they only have three for testing in Germany. So i doubt it very highly. I will try again to get one for our next workshop in San Juan with our demo kits but I doubt there are any around.

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There are some subtle differences; though not anything like a halving of the sound yet. I mentioned in another post, Riccis and I compared "old" and "new" M8s and his shutter was quieter and smoother than mine. He'd also tried the 1/4000 shutter and said it was even better... so there you go, from anecdotes, anyway.

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Guest jimmy pro

My M8 had it's shutter replaced because it broke, but I don't hear that it's any quieter. It never was loud to begin with, just the motor that recocks it. Then again my camera tools are just a set of little screwdrivers and a rubber blower bulb. I didn't know that a decibel meter was important, I'll have to see if I can snag one off fleabay :rolleyes:

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What did make my cameras quieter was use, and the shutter release clearly needed running in; it is smooth now. The replacing of the plastic covering by leather also made for some sound-deadening. At one point of time I had some rather thick vulcanette-like leather on (Cameraleather- Black Beauty (sic)) and that made a real difference

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When I get an opportunity I will record and post the newer camera shutter sound so you can compare it to your own.

 

Edit: I have now added a recording file:

 

http://idsik.mac.com/barjohn1-Public/M8 Shutter Sound.mpg

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When I get an opportunity I will record and post the newer camera shutter sound so you can compare it to your own.

It would be useful if you were able to post two recordings taken under identical conditions, one of the latest and one of an earlier camera. :)

 

Bob.

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