Shutter noise

[wparsonsgisnet]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I was 'splained to me that we need a shutter because the sensor recalibrates in the dark. I still think we need some sort of technology that does away with the shutter.

 

I don't understand why we cannot "activate" the capture of the image without using a noisy device. I would certainly be willing to accept some recalibration requirements if this were done.

 

Somehow, the D2 does this without a shutter like the one on the M8. How 'bout an electronic shutter, a membrane where the thing passes no light until we tell it to do so?

 

Since the demand for this device is inelastic (read: people don't really care about the price), let's make it do some of these wonderful tasks.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[dlc43]

Count me in as someone who is not happy with the shutter noise. A few nights ago, at a Passover Seder, I thought I was quietly snapping some shots, no flash, of course. At an opportune moment, the host came to me and requested that I stop. I know it was because of the noise. I was quite embarrassed. Now I know what the limits are in situations that require real silence. My M6 was much better at this. I also desperately want the choice of delayed shutter recocking. Leica needs to restore its stealth reputation. A firmware cure would be great as it would spare a return trip to Solms.

[losta]

My 5D is quieter than my M8. The most silent camera I have ever owned was a Konica Hexar, it even had an ultra quite mode. I think I still have it in my closet.

[sean_reid]

The pitch of the noise is another factor. For example, the Contax G1 has a noise level and duration similar to the M8 but at higher pitch, so I find it to be much more noticeable.

 

Larry

 

Exactly...pitch can make a large difference. Not only do we react differently to sounds of different pitches but some shutter sound pitches blend in well with normal conversation, traffic noise on a street, etc.

 

I've been shooting with the M8 in public places for several hours a day (most days) for the past month and the shutter sound hasn't been problematic at all. That said, I sometimes have found silent cameras to be invaluable.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[carstenw]

Either my 5D is much louder than normal, or my M8 is quieter than normal. I find the 5D both louder and much more objectionable. I regularly had people turn around and look at me when I took pictures with the 5D, but with the M8 it has happened only maybe once or twice.

[dlc43]

I used the Konica Hexar too and it was the dream camera for silent shooting. Hopefully, Leica is paying attention to this thread.

[Mark Read]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thank you dlc43 !!

 

So...........

 

Who out there knows how to "escalate" (as they say in business management) this SILENT SHUTTER to the highest level that is needed to get immediate attention ?

 

~ m

[andym911]

The 5D is noticeably quieter than the M8 shutter.Niether have caused me any 'grief' so far but yes the M8 compared to previous M's is a different ballgame.

I am however not shooting in many situations where noise matters that much,the shutter noise is the least of my worries if being unobtrusive is important.

 

I don't work in courtrooms or generally sneak up on people so for me the M8 is fine as I think it will be for the majority...for quietness there are other cameras available.

 

andy

[DavidStone]

I'll no doubt get used to it, but what bothers me about the M8 shutter is that, unlike the M-series cameras with mechanical shutters (I've never tried the M7) the sound of the shutter seems not to be related to the length of the exposure. With my M2, I can always tell (up to about 1/125th) if the shutter is giving me the right exposure, just by listening to the sound of the two curtains. Maybe Leica could duplicate this sound by a bit of software tweaking? Or do we have to wait for the inevitable retro-version (M8 in the style of M3)?

 

David

[DavidStone]

What I forgot to say yesterday was that when in the past I've used a leather case on my M-series (and older) cameras, this substantially reduces the sound from the shutter. Not having such a case for the M8, I can't say whether it would work, but if anyone has one of these expensive items, then it's easy enough to find out.

 

David

[robertwright]

I'll no doubt get used to it, but what bothers me about the M8 shutter is that, unlike the M-series cameras with mechanical shutters (I've never tried the M7) the sound of the shutter seems not to be related to the length of the exposure. With my M2, I can always tell (up to about 1/125th) if the shutter is giving me the right exposure, just by listening to the sound of the two curtains. Maybe Leica could duplicate this sound by a bit of software tweaking? Or do we have to wait for the inevitable retro-version (M8 in the style of M3)?

 

David

 

I have a feeling that the reason you can't distinguish the shutter above 1/125th is that the rest of the speeds are exactly the same..LOL. My M6 could barely make 1/250th and the higher speeds were all the same. On the M8, I know the speeds are accurate, way more accurate than the mechanical cameras, and it will stay that way without adjustment a lot longer.

 

With respect to the 5D, the mirror flap is very noticeable. I don't know how anyone can say it is not. Maybe after about 50,000 exposures it might soften, but I have not had one around that long.

 

With respect to being asked to refrain from photographing-my belief is that noise has nothing to do with it, if a situation is very sensitive no matter how quiet the camera, it is the "act" of photographing that is most troublesome, not the noise. That is my opinion anyway.

 

Maybe this has been asked before, I apologize, but has anyone made a recording of an M7 with winder and posted that as comparision to the M8, which would be a fair comparison? I don't think you can expect a metal bladed electronic shutter to be as quiet as a mechnical rubber curtain, forget the winding part.