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Is this claim really true and has anyone tried comparing? The comparisons I’ve heard online are with the M10-P’s digital predecessors. I would be impressed if an M7 were noticeably louder.

[ Please excuse the longish rant, I could go on for hours on this topic ;) ]

 

When doing some detailed shutter sound analysis of all of my cameras during beta testing of the M10-P, I got some surprising results. Among these, the M7 shutter's objective pressure level was higher than expected, although it had always appeared to me to be a very stealthy camera. However on more detailed analysis, the narrow frequency distribution showed a maximum in a region where the human auditory system is less sensitive (see below).

 

( A ) Physiology

There is a differential auditory threshhold according to frequency (in the accompanying graph at the end of this post, the bottom green line shows the threshhold). Of course, many of us „mature“ Leica users will have a different frequency threshhold due to presbyacusia, affecting predominantly higher frequencies, which is a normal age effect, augmented by our generation‘s visiting rock or punk concerts / discotheques and riding fast motorbikes ;) . Merely shifting a frequency range towards the lower end will result in decreased loudness impression by humans, even if the sound pressure level remains the same.

 

( B ) Psychoacoustics

This is a very complex matter, with perceived loudness depending on

- absolute sound pressure level,

- maximum frequency,

- frequency distribution

- temporal dispersion

- attack characteristics

- decay characteristics

- ...

 

Thus, although all within the same range of absolute sound pressure levels, the different evolutions of the Barnack LTM‘s will give quite different impressions according to no shutter brake, simple spring shutter brake, or complex drum brake, which influence the harshness of first curtain stopping. Remember though, that with vintage cameras there will inevitably be a marked spread within the same model according to life history and service history of the individual camera.

 

( C ) Psychology of ownership

Your perception of the shutter sound will be subtly influenced by the emotional rapport you have with the camera (your first Leica ever, the most valuable one in your collection, the 25$ garage sale Zorki, your father‘s camera, the beast that had to be sent in for service for the umteenth time, ...)

 

( D ) M10-P

In summary, the M10-P's shutter has a much lower absolute sound pressure level in combination with a frequency maximum in a less sensitive area. Moreover, due to damping, the decay characteristics of the M10-P's shutter make it sound "more pleasant", less harsh. It is a combination of all these factors to give the very unobstrusive overall impression.

 

Kind regards

Mathias

 

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Edited by schattenundlicht
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M7:

 

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M10-P

 

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I would be impressed if it’s more silent than the M262, which in my experience surpassed all mechanic M’s thus far. But Leica wouldn’t claim that if it were not true

The M262 (which I had) sounds very much like the M240 (because they have the same shutter). The M10 is a bit more silent than M262/240, the M10-P ist much more silent.

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Detailed shutter sound analysis.

Seriously. Wouldn’t the time be better spent on taking a few pictures?

It took a rainy afternoon (not ideal for M photography), was fun and also part of my beta testing for Leica which I enjoyed and which involved a lot of picture taking. It did not subtract from my photography at all. Anyway, I do not see any neccessity to further justify my post. If you are disinterested in the topic, kindly move on. Edited by schattenundlicht
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There are two clichees here at the forum which are non-sense and inappropriate and they are:

- spend your time better with taking new pictures than talking about gear

- gear X won’t make me a better photographer

A photographer, a craftsman, a musician or an artist who does not reflect on his equipment can’t be taken seriously. Apart from the fact that we are here on this forum to enjoy our Leica life.

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Detailed shutter sound analysis.

 

Seriously. Wouldn’t the time be better spent on taking a few pictures?

 

There was a question which started the thread.

 

schattenundlicht took the pains to answer it. 

 

I think that's the purpose of a Forum.  

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