marknorton Posted October 16, 2007 Share #21 Posted October 16, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) The question does remain though - does anyone know if the feature several of us have asked for (shutter release on actuation, shutter re-cock on release) is in Leica's pipeline. Is it considered technically feasible by them, can it be implemented through firmware, when might it happen? I seem to remember Guy saying he discussed this with them when he was in Germany and they said it would be technically possible, though whether there's motivation to do it (given there's lots of other things on the to-do list) is another matter. Question is, how much improvement would it yield - try my test of isolating the start and end of the release and see if the initial noise which would remain unchanged would be acceptable. I think it would still be unacceptably noisy for the environment you are working in. It's a long way from an M7, that's for sure. Perhaps we need a DMM - Digital-Modul-M - after all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 16, 2007 Posted October 16, 2007 Hi marknorton, Take a look here Sshhh - quiet. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ndjambrose Posted October 16, 2007 Share #22 Posted October 16, 2007 ... I have found that unless you are in an acoustically perfect opera house, most folks at normal distances cannot hear you click the shutter. Fascinating mathematics, but sadly the theory doesn't stand up to the reality. In a quiet room a person with average hearing can detect the shutter at distance of at least 12 feet quite easily. If you're in any doubt just try it.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share #23 Posted October 16, 2007 If it comes down to that, you do have other options that are very quiet or near silent.Sean Perhaps we need a DMM - Digital-Modul-M - after all. Sean - you mean the M7? I think I'm with Mark .... if I had a digital back for the M7 and that lovely quiet shutter I'd be happy... just flip off the film plate and slot in the digital module... My problem is I don't want to go back to those smelly chemicals and unreliable labs... Hey - it's good to dream... Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted October 16, 2007 Share #24 Posted October 16, 2007 I have a quiet mode with my M8 - it's called an M7! If you want complete silence in a Leica digital try a Digilux 2 with the sound switched off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billh Posted October 16, 2007 Share #25 Posted October 16, 2007 I tried a Canon 1D3 this past weekend, and one thing I did was compare the noise from the 1D3 in the silent mode with the M8. The consensus was (there were two of us in varying positions) the 1D3 shutter was quieter - as long as I kept the mirror up by not releasing the shutter release. In the end, because of the extended time of the noise (eventually the mirror has to return), it was decided the noise issue was the same with either camera. However, if the shutter alone on the Canon is that much quieter than the M8, why can’t/don’t they make the M8 quiet? I really miss that feature. I suppose this will be a new feature on whatever camera follows the M8. (The recommendation about using a film M reminded me of a discussion I overheard between a mom and her 8 year old. She was asking him if he remember cameras that used film, which she described as “that stuff you had to take to the store to be developed before you could see the pictures”). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 16, 2007 Share #26 Posted October 16, 2007 I forsee a day when Leica finally make the M entirely silent, and then have to add back in a specially designed shutter noise so people feel they still have a 'real' camera more seriously, I think the most audible sound is the sharp click - which is really well damped by the neoprene case. The lower frequency clunk is much less disturbing imho. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share #27 Posted October 16, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Oh well - thanks guys. I think there is something about damping the noise with some extra padding (I note how much quieter my 1S2 feels compared with the 5D - entirely subjective I think but I think down to the increased mass of the 1 series body). The great thing about the M8 is that it ISN'T a 1 series body! At least I can carry my kit to the concert without needing a wheelie case... In the meantime, a cheap interim may be to get a neoprene case... (can't bring myself to layout on a Luigi...) DAVID - just noticed the lovely joke you'd added in your last post... appreciated! Tate Britain | Past Exhibitions | How We Are: Photographing Britain: How We Are Now Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucek Posted October 16, 2007 Share #28 Posted October 16, 2007 How about a used Epson R-D1? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted October 16, 2007 Share #29 Posted October 16, 2007 Sean - you mean the M7? I think I'm with Mark .... if I had a digital back for the M7 and that lovely quiet shutter I'd be happy... just flip off the film plate and slot in the digital module... My problem is I don't want to go back to those smelly chemicals and unreliable labs... Hey - it's good to dream... Best London has one of the best labs I've ever used - Metro. And I find my lab here in Seattle to be more reliable than my M8! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted October 16, 2007 Share #30 Posted October 16, 2007 If you want complete silence in a Leica digital try a Digilux 2 with the sound switched off. Had one once. Fine for what it is, but not something I would want to try and shoot a low light jazz concert with. No way to mount a 90 f2 APO on it! But I find even my M motor on the 7 to be quieter than the M8. Often with the 7 if somebody knows or asks that I take their picture, they don't know when I've actually taken it and will continue to wait until I tell them I did. In some situations it actually needs to be louder! But for truly quiet I like my Mamiya 6 or 7 and my Rolleiflex TLR 2.8F (though the wind on can be a bit distracting). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlc43 Posted October 16, 2007 Share #31 Posted October 16, 2007 I can only hope that Leica follows this thread with serious attention. I was quite embarrassed at a family dinner when I was told to stop shooting--because of the noise. Without question, in the real world, there are quiet domains where the sound of the M8 is objectionable. I concur with the idea of separating the release and the shutter recocking actions. While releasing the shutter to trip the second action would be OK, I would prefer a SECOND press of the shutter to activate the recocking. That way acrobatics can be avoided while you're attempting to lower the camera to a safely muffled position. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philinflash Posted October 16, 2007 Share #32 Posted October 16, 2007 ... I was quite embarrassed at a family dinner when I was told to stop shooting--because of the noise. ... You must have a very well-behaved family. It wouldn't be a problem in mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share #33 Posted October 16, 2007 Sympathies re the noise issue in family settings. I took a series of portraits of my mother-in-law in her last months, and there were times when the M8 distracted in ways that it shouldn't have. I KNOW I could have used the M7 - it sits languishing in a drawer at the moment - but I bought the M8 to do a job which it does admirably in all but the quietest locations. Yes, I could use film. Yes Metro is a fine lab (though Joe's Basement was always better value - and now closed) but I don't want to do film anymore. I like digital workflow, I love printing with an Epson 2100 on Harman's new Baryta gloss paper, I love my M8. I just wish it was QUIETER! Thanks for bearing with me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pklein Posted October 16, 2007 Share #34 Posted October 16, 2007 And I find my lab here in Seattle to be more reliable than my M8! Charles: What lab do you use? --Peter (also in Seattle) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 16, 2007 Share #35 Posted October 16, 2007 ... I love my M8. I just wish it was QUIETER! ... What he said. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted October 16, 2007 Share #36 Posted October 16, 2007 Charles: What lab do you use?--Peter (also in Seattle) I use Panda for 90% of everything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted October 16, 2007 Share #37 Posted October 16, 2007 Sean - you mean the M7? I think I'm with Mark .... if I had a digital back for the M7 and that lovely quiet shutter I'd be happy... just flip off the film plate and slot in the digital module... My problem is I don't want to go back to those smelly chemicals and unreliable labs... Hey - it's good to dream... Best Hi Chris, No, I really do mean the Sony R1. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted October 16, 2007 Share #38 Posted October 16, 2007 I can only hope that Leica follows this thread with serious attention. I was quite embarrassed at a family dinner when I was told to stop shooting--because of the noise. Without question, in the real world, there are quiet domains where the sound of the M8 is objectionable. I concur with the idea of separating the release and the shutter recocking actions. While releasing the shutter to trip the second action would be OK, I would prefer a SECOND press of the shutter to activate the recocking. That way acrobatics can be avoided while you're attempting to lower the camera to a safely muffled position. I myself would prefer a quieter shutter/shutter cocking action overall than delayed shutter cocking. The latter separates the two noises but one still hears them. When I'm shooting in quiet surroundings, I'm usually making many exposures. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttriolo Posted October 16, 2007 Share #39 Posted October 16, 2007 As a former press photographer, I had to develop the ability to press the shutter at just the right point in the politician's speech or during a eulogy to victims of a plane crash, so as not to unduly disturb the proceedings. Using Nikons with motor drives produced significantly more noise than the M8 but I seldom got any nasty stares from onlookers because I carefully times my shots to coincide with the loudest passages in the speech. These also tended to be the times when the subject was most animated, which provided the best opportunities for good, expressive photos anyway. This technique may not be as effective with a quiet musical trio, as the music being played may not provide sufficient opportunities to "fire away", but it will work in many other instances when you want to maintain a stealth attitude. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted October 16, 2007 Share #40 Posted October 16, 2007 How about a used Epson R-D1? The R-D1, unfortunately, isn't really less noticeable (audibly) than the M8. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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