How noisy should the R9 be with motor-winder?

[wlaidlaw]

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I have recently acquired an R4-MOT and bought a motor-winder-R to go with it. To my surprise it is whisper quiet compared to my R9. Subtle the motor drive R9 is not! Not only is the motor quite noisy but there is a lot of mirror clatter as well. Is this normal or does the mirror damping on my R9 need attention? It is a little quieter than my Graflex Combat Graphic 70mm camera but not a whole lot. 

Of course, there then arises the problem of who to get to do it and are there any spares from any source for the mirror damper, given that Boris seems to be hanging on to the spare inventory he bought from Leica. He does not answer emails or messages enquiring about a spare part availability (I was asking for an R8 or 9 battery cover/grip). 

Wilson

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[wagner]

Hi Wilson!

The R9 is not the most silent camera, that's right. And I'm pretty sure , there is nothing wrong with your R9 . As all The Leicaflex and Leica R Cameras, the R9 has got a cam driven mirror movement. That's why there is no need for a damping foam stripe in front of the groundglas, like it's used on other SLR's.

Torsten

 

[Stuart Richardson]

I do not remember mine being particularly subtle....if you find it off putting, try a Rollei 6008. Shooting that on continuous is enough to draw a few winces out of your model...

[wlaidlaw]

I don't really mind the R9 noise, as I always have my M7, M240, SL or CL (using electronic shutter if necessary) or one of my various Barnacks, if I need a quiet camera. I was just surprised how much quieter my older, although less used, R4-MOT was, compared with my R9.

Wilson