jgbossert Posted October 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello! As I am often concerned about the extreme shutter clocking noise of the Leica M8 (and probably M9...), I started researching for building a sound blimp. I read several blog posts about home made blimps for DSLRs based on Peli Cases. As a starting point I ordered a Plei 1050 (small and crytal clear) and a slightly larger Peli 1120 (solid mate black). Those two cases are attached. The 1050 with my first iteration single layer acoutic foam. The 1120 first iteration with triple layer standard (Peli) foam and bitumen (because the case offered enough space for this even in a first simple test). Furthermore I researched acoustic insulate materials and ordered lots of different materials for several hundred Euros. Every material in unique in its properties and my goal is to find a combination of materials with minimum thickness and maximum efficency. I am currently a the secound iteration and focused on the Peli 1050 because of its smaller size. In the Peli 1050 v2 I used 3 different materials with just a maximum thickness of 1 - 2 cm and a weight of about 1/4 kg. Here are three videos comparing the 1050 (v1), 1120 (v1) and 1050 (v2): Leica Blimp Research (Peli 1050 v1) Leica Blimp Research (Peli 1120 v1) Leica Blimp Research (Peli 1050 v2) Not bad for the small Peli 1050 v2 I think. For the viewfinder I will either use a 0.85x "magnifier" or an optical extension tube (those are very expensive). The Peli cases are just temporary researching objects. My final goal is to construct a custom-made case looking like an oversized Leica M painted mate non reflecting with touchy leatherette and solid grip. I might also produce this in small numbers for the market if there is should be a need for, but it won't be cheap, as the process to manufacture is expensive. Best, Gottlieb Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/190456-leica-m8-m9-sound-blimp/?do=findComment&comment=2145226'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 19, 2012 Posted October 19, 2012 Hi jgbossert, Take a look here Leica M8 / M9 Sound Blimp. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted October 27, 2012 Share #2 Posted October 27, 2012 Sheesh - you are killing off all the advantages of a rangefinder.How are you going to focus for instance? In your place I would simply buy something like an XPro... Plus the M is going to be pretty silent anyway... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted October 27, 2012 Sheesh - you are killing off all the advantages of a rangefinder.How are you going to focus for instance? In your place I would simply buy something like an XPro... The key of the Leica Ms is the rangefinder of course. No other digital camera has one. But a well engineered case must not kill the rangefinder. Attached are example pictures of a M8 Underwater Case. The focus control is not what I am actually looking for, but it is one way to solve this problem. The question is if I want to shoot with a 0 dBa (yes zero!) Panasonic Lumix G5 which feels like a huge plastic toy in my hand, has an ugly electronical finder, of if I try to find a way to modify a Leica M into a more silent device working for my needs. For this reason I am researching. The case above is just for testing. Currently it makes no sense to print (laser sinter) a well designed case not fulfilling my sound requirements. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/190456-leica-m8-m9-sound-blimp/?do=findComment&comment=2152094'>More sharing options...
Lightwrangler Posted October 27, 2012 Share #4 Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) May I suggest a so called "Soft Blimp" or "Camera Muzzle"? You can buy it in a shop, modify it to your needs and it's ease of use is much bigger then the one of your oversized breadbox. Something like this for example… Mike Edited October 27, 2012 by Royal_Corona Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted October 27, 2012 May I suggest a so called "Soft Blimp" or "Camera Muzzle"? You can buy it in a shop, modify it to your needs and it's ease of use is much bigger then the one of your oversized breadbox. Something like this for example… Mike I already thought about it. But tests with different materials resulted in not enough noise protection. (Because for some frequencies absorbing materials and hard surfaces are needed to reduce the sound). Rob also mentions while testing the Camera Muzzle that it does not make the camera quiet, but quiet enough for many situations: Rob Galbraith DPI: Camera Muzzle keeps it quiet 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted October 27, 2012 Share #6 Posted October 27, 2012 all of this reduce sound?! lol....just get a 2nd quieter camera for those situations....I don't find my updated M8 to be that loud. it sounds louder when taking the photo...but after a few feet away you really can't hear much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted October 27, 2012 Share #7 Posted October 27, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) The key of the Leica Ms is the rangefinder of course. No other digital camera has one. The Epson RD-1 was the first Digital Rangefinder. It is not currently in production, but none the less there are plenty of people still using them, myself included. Just sayin'..... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted October 28, 2012 Share #8 Posted October 28, 2012 Why not save yourself a lot of trouble and use a Ricoh GXR ; the M-mount module has an electronic shutter mode that is absolutely silent ( other than when the camera is first turned on and off ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredlie Posted October 28, 2012 Share #9 Posted October 28, 2012 come on folks, he is just making fun of us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted October 28, 2012 I actually tested the Panasonic Lumix G5 and pre-production GH3. The do not make any noise due to a full electronic global shutter. But: I always focus manually, even on DSLRs (with focusing screens). Its my personal preference. All EVFs I tested had been ugly compared to the real world vision of a good viewfinder in my eye, but the G5 / GH3 have some I could exceptionally live with for having no sound. But: Currently both Cameras have no zebra (focus peaking) supporting manual focusing. Zooming In isn't as fast as zebra or a rangefinder of course and no option for me (it is also not intuitive enough with third party lenses). Panasonic promised me they would include zebra focusing in further firmwares if there is enough demand, but not currently. Thought about the GXR already, but it also has an mechanical shutter - and it was not that silent when I tested it. I just read about the option of an electronic shutter, so I will have to test it again. (It supports focus peaking) Let me explain why I need the blimp: I sometimes photograph during dance and theatre live performances. Even if I am asked for, I once asked some of the audience how disturbing it had been. They clearly heared the click of my shutter even 5-10 meters away. At the beginning I used a Voigtländer Bessa R3. The shutter is comparable the the Zeiss ZM. Both sounded in my ear like a car crash every time I fired the shutter. I repalced it with a much more silent M6TTL. It was noticeable but much more decent. With my M8 I have the problem of the loud shutter clocking motor. This WIRRRRRR sound is so distracting in an absolutely quiet place. (I do not talk about shooting the M8 on the street or so...) The idea for the sound blimp emerged when a friend told me he has to use a sound blimp for this DSLR when shooting on the film set because the sound of his camera must not recorded on the audio track. So I started researching... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 28, 2012 Share #11 Posted October 28, 2012 The idea for the sound blimp emerged when a friend told me he has to use a sound blimp for this DSLR when shooting on the film set because the sound of his camera must not recorded on the audio track. Much of the pro video I've edited required a lot of sound editing. Removing a camera click is trivial. But that shutter cocking noise is something else. It looks to me like the M9 cocking can be disabled and replaced with a 'vit-like' bottom. -- Pico - "In motion pictures, fifty-percent of the picture is sound." Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted October 28, 2012 It looks to me like the M9 cocking can be disabled and replaced with a 'vit-like' bottom. This was also my first idea. But Mark mentioned that the oprtation of the motor is monitored and an error produced if the motor does not operate within its specifications. I think he also crashed one M8 cocking circuit by trying to integrate a hard wired discrete shutter mode before it was integrated by software in a newer firmware. So I gave up this solution. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted October 29, 2012 Share #13 Posted October 29, 2012 (edited) I used to work as a set/stills photographer in the film industry in Italy and built my own blimp. At the time I was using 2 Nikon 801's I remember that I built it out of expanded foam, lead and various of bits an pieces. It looked a bit like some sort of first world war land-mine but they stopped laughing at me on set when they saw that it worked and masked all sound. the only external control it had was a cable release that pressed on the shutter button that I could half press to hold and fix the auto focus then recompose to shoot. as all lighting was controlled by the Director of Photography before hand I would set all exposure settings before closing the Blimp. Unfortunately this rare artefact disappeared years ago so I can't show you a photo. I also used to use a little canonet QL 17 as it had a leaf shutter and made nearly no noise http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Canon_Canonet_QL_17_GIII which if doing this sort of work nowadays would be the equivalent of the Fuji X100. Edited October 29, 2012 by viramati Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted October 31, 2012 Just tested the Ricoh GXR with EVF and A12 Mount M with electronic shutter mode. Seems to be a real alternative to a blimp for the M8/M9. But I think I will just continue on my Blimp Project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted January 13, 2013 Share #15 Posted January 13, 2013 Convert your M8 shutter to the M8u which has a discreet mode. It is much quieter with barely a whisper if you keep the shutter button held down. There is a whirr when you let go, but it is not intrusive. I don't see the problem or the advantage of turning your relatively small Leica into an awkward hand full. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martha Posted January 13, 2013 Share #16 Posted January 13, 2013 Ditto: what Jevidon wrote above. Wear a heavy jacket and while holding down the shutter button, put the camera under your coat and let go of the shutter button. Simple. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonatto Posted January 13, 2013 Share #17 Posted January 13, 2013 I've wondered if sticking a small piece of Dynamat (car-audio vibration reducer) on the bottom plate would help a bit... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted January 17, 2013 Share #18 Posted January 17, 2013 Bottom plate dampener? I don't see where that would help. There are no vibrations through the camera. Only the shutter actuation noise. See my comment and Martha's that followed. In any case, an unmodified M8 is still quieter than the average SLR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-one Posted March 21, 2013 Share #19 Posted March 21, 2013 Just tested the Ricoh GXR with EVF and A12 Mount M with electronic shutter mode. Seems to be a real alternative to a blimp for the M8/M9.But I think I will just continue on my Blimp Project. Did you make any progress with this project? Whilst I can understand why it may seem a crazy one to most Leica shooters, for those of us who work on film sets, this is a very interesting idea. Albeit a niche one. I have occasionally searched the web for any sound blimp solutions for a Leica M9 - which is how I came across this thread today. One can only shoot on set stills for film or tv with a completely silenced camera - and no film or digital Leica comes anywhere close to being sufficiently silent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doolittle Posted March 21, 2013 Share #20 Posted March 21, 2013 Convert your M8 shutter to the M8u which has a discreet mode.It is much quieter with barely a whisper if you keep the shutter button held down. There is a whirr when you let go, but it is not intrusive. I don't see the problem or the advantage of turning your relatively small Leica into an awkward hand full. Just for the record: Discrete mode is available on the original M8 too, once firmware updated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.