How quiet is the M9?

[hlockwood]

I use an M7 and a Hexar RF. The M7 is extremely quiet, just the usual Leica "snick." The HRF is by comparison quite noisy, mostly because of the auto film advance; the shutter itself seems to contribute little to the total noise.

Can anyone here place the M9 on the noise-level spectrum? How does it compare to other Ms?

Harry

 

[umcelinho]

i've had the opportunity to try some lenses on a friend's M9 and had already gone out with him for shooting. those who own an M9 and a film M should give a better view on this.

if you are in a quiet room and then shoot a film m and then the M9, they have a pretty similar noise level.

in the street, shooting real life, its noise is undistinguishable.

 

[Jeff S]

The shutter is relatively quiet; it's the motor advance that creates the bulk of the noise. (Even with discreet setting, the motor kicks in when the finger is released).

Not as quiet as a film M, but quiet in relation to many other cameras. And very slightly noisier than an M8.2 shutter (tested in front of crowd, with eyes covered, at a local Leica shop).

Jeff

 

[jamato8]

I would say my Canon 7D is quieter, and a regular M is with out question quieter. I wish the M9 was more discrete and the discrete setting really doesn't help. As noted above, the cocking of the shutter causes most of the noise. I hope if there is a M10, this will be one area they address.

 

[jamato8]

I was wrong, it seems the first actuation is noisier than the cocking action. I do notice that people hear the firing of the M9, which often was not the case with the M2 or M3.

 

[porktaco]

somewhere on the web, someone put up audio files of a film M, and M8 and an M9

 

[250swb]

The M7 is much quieter than the M9 for about 36 shots, but as you change films you hear the loud curses caused by the missed shot, its enough to wake the dead, dreadful.

Steve

 

[johannielscom]

The M7 is much quieter than the M9 for about 36 shots, but as you change films you hear the loud curses caused by the missed shot, its enough to wake the dead, dreadful.

Steve

Never had that. There's always 72 shots available to me when out shooting.

I'm packing two bodies! 😀

On a different note, it's only photography. When missing an image of real importance, it's the retina and mind that record. Lots of things happen daily without a camera being present and still the world turns!


Back on topic: Can't add anything on the M9 noise level, but the Hexar RF I once held was quieter than the original M8 I also had for a while. And yes, there is a web page somewhere with WAV files that let you compare shutter noise. Maybe someone knows the link?

 

[abumac]

Quiet enough! 🙂

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, the m7 is more quiet than the m9, the silent mode helps a lot thou. The hrf is noisier, i remember shooting a dove from 3 metres away everytime i released the dove moved.
Perhaps in a theatre or hospital would make a difference but on the streets it doesn´t, the m9 is silent enough.

 

[furcafe]

Because of the shutter re-cocking, the M9 is closer to the Hexar RF in volume, though the type of sound is different, of course. IMHO, having used both the Hexar RF & M8/9 quite a bit, the noise is nothing to get worked up about unless you're shooting church services or chamber music concerts, etc.

I use an M7 and a Hexar RF. The M7 is extremely quiet, just the usual Leica "snick." The HRF is by comparison quite noisy, mostly because of the auto film advance; the shutter itself seems to contribute little to the total noise.

Can anyone here place the M9 on the noise-level spectrum? How does it compare to other Ms?

Harry

 

[ithrowbuckets]

I think the question everybody has on their minds is if the M9 is quiet enough to take pictures of people sleeping and not wake them up.

 

[porktaco]

The M7 is much quieter than the M9 for about 36 shots, but as you change films you hear the loud curses caused by the missed shot, its enough to wake the dead, dreadful.

Steve

or the screams from realizing the film didn't thread

 

[andredossantos]

The M7 is much quieter than the M9 for about 36 shots, but as you change films you hear the loud curses caused by the missed shot, its enough to wake the dead, dreadful.

Steve

And what sounds does the M9 owner make when the battery runs out nowhere near an electrical outlet? 😉

Just kidding, of course, but there are any number of these hypotheticals that could be posed by either side.

 

[MCTuomey]

Quiet enough! 🙂

+1 (great answer)

 

[gb hill]

I shot side by side with a fellow RFF'er. Him with an M9, me with the Bessa R. I was shocked at the loudness of that whining noise. My Bessa R was quiter. But even with that said I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[gb hill]

I think the question everybody has on their minds is if the M9 is quiet enough to take pictures of people sleeping and not wake them up.

If their snoring is louder than that whining noise then the answer is no!😉

 

[Turtle]

The mechanical Ms are quieter. My MPs make a 'cluck' whereas the M9 makes more of a 'snick' which is more audible because of its pitch. Then there is the re-cocking sound. Its nothing unless you are in a very quiet place, but when you are the difference will be noticeable.

 

[250swb]

And what sounds does the M9 owner make when the battery runs out nowhere near an electrical outlet? 😉

.

A snoring sound, he's already gone to bed after a hard day shooting hundreds and hundreds of pictures on that one battery🙄

Steve

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

quiet enough indeed. but by far not as quiet as the X100 =D