One more reason to want a Leica

[Gabriel M.A.]

I love my Leicas better than any cameras I've ever used, but the OP shouldn't criticize the tool in this case--it can be highly effective.

In this Me World, the tool is always assumed to be wrong, unless persistently insisted otherwise by proof or reason. But even then...

 

[Archiver]

I started reading this thread nodding my head in agreement with the quietness of a Leica. Now I am starting to wonder about a Pentax K5! Darn, is it really that quiet? Even more than a M4-P???

Personally, in those situations I use a P&S with relatively good image quality and a decent zoom, like a Canon G7 or G10. I turn off the display at the back and few people are the wiser.

 

[NickTrop]

Leica, schmeika. Any ole used or new digital compact super zoom with image stabilization is what you need for this. Zero shutter noise. None. Nada. No film advance noise, obvs. - And you can zoom in and get close-ups, you're not constrained by endless shots of the one perspective taken from where you are seated due to a a fixed lens. For the cost of a Leica with a lens you can buy a dozen of 'em. These have pretty small sensors, typically. 1/15th shutter speed, ISO 400, fastest aperture available (varies depending on camera and how much you zoom out...) and denoise and tweek brightness and contrast in post. This will demolish any Leica for shooting an opera. Why insist on a 1950's solution?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I started reading this thread nodding my head in agreement with the quietness of a Leica. Now I am starting to wonder about a Pentax K5! Darn, is it really that quiet? Even more than a M4-P???

I've been meaning to make a youtube of this, but haven't had time! Honestly, I guess it's really a toss-up--depending on the ambient sound, the K5 or M4P might cut through more. The M9 is definitely the noisiest of the three, but only by a hair. All of them are pretty stealthy, but I definitely have never heard a DSLR as quiet as a K5. I was shooting next to a Nikon buddy one day and as soon as I fired off a shot he turned to me and said, "You gotta be kidding me."

 

[jsrockit]

Leica, schmeika. Any ole used or new digital compact super zoom with image stabilization is what you need for this. Zero shutter noise. None. Nada. No film advance noise, obvs. - And you can zoom in and get close-ups, you're not constrained by endless shots of the one perspective taken from where you are seated due to a a fixed lens. For the cost of a Leica with a lens you can buy a dozen of 'em. These have pretty small sensors, typically. 1/15th shutter speed, ISO 400, fastest aperture available (varies depending on camera and how much you zoom out...) and denoise and tweek brightness and contrast in post. This will demolish any Leica for shooting an opera. Why insist on a 1950's solution?

I agree with you on the Leica, but without a VF of some sort, a P&S isn't the best solution either.

 

[sanmich]

A Leica is not THAT quiet.
Of course it's not an FE/ FM on an MD12, but silent it is not.
The only film camera that would probably fit would be as stated before, the Hexar AF, but with a 35mm...
I think I'm with the "stop shooting and enjoy" crowd...

 

[séamuis]

I've been meaning to make a youtube of this, but haven't had time! Honestly, I guess it's really a toss-up--depending on the ambient sound, the K5 or M4P might cut through more. The M9 is definitely the noisiest of the three, but only by a hair. All of them are pretty stealthy, but I definitely have never heard a DSLR as quiet as a K5. I was shooting next to a Nikon buddy one day and as soon as I fired off a shot he turned to me and said, "You gotta be kidding me."

this is very true. when the K-7 was introduced it was hailed for its quietness because all previous pentax DSLR’s had constantly been hounded for being loud. Pentax upped the game considerably when the introduced the K-5. it is indeed very quiet. I have K-7’s and have been able to photograph sleeping subjects from a matter of inches without waking them, I can imagine the k-5 wouldn’t even wake a mouse. they aren’t silent but they are about as close to it as an SLR can get, especially with a heavy all metal lens mounted up front. a buddy of mine uses a D90 and he was shocked at how quiet my K-7 was in comparison.

 

[geebeewien]

so you are the one ruining our recordings!

Sorry, as an audio engineer I frequently wish the audience who does not respect the no-photo rules of venues to hell...
In some concerts you have a kakophony of compact cameras beeps combined with artificial shutter noise from cell phone cams and real shutter noise from DSLrs garnished with some high frequency PITA from image stabilizers...
Those noises have killed several to-be-released recordings... And guess what, usually it's not the pro photographers making the noise - they either have blimps or know how to behave!

And yes, our microphones can hear a sole DSLR 20mtrs away from the stage...

Sorry for my rant.... - enjoy taking pictures, but with respect...

 

[Asim]

i should point out, i did stop taking photos and just sat back and enjoyed the show. this flamenco opera, 'Carmen', was amazing. but it wasn't silent at all. it was classical spanish flamenco dancing (like tap dancing) accompanied with spanish guitar and singing. it was very loud. there were times when it did get quiet and the subjects started gliding around slowly... and though this was the best time to take photos, it was also the worst in many ways.

i enjoyed it mostly because i did put the cameras away! 🙂

 

[Archiver]

I'm usually disappointed if I can't squeeze off any snaps during a gig or concert. I always try to take photos when the music is loud, both to mask any camera noise and to be considerate others who might be disturbed by a click or snap.

Incidentally, Carmen contains some of my most loved music. I saw a performance of it many years ago by the Victorian State Opera company, and I've got all manner of recordings. I'd love to see a good production of Carmen again!