k-sha! the sound of capturing a moment?

[flip]

It occurred to me this morning while making toast that more than once in Japan a camera has been criticized by its owner for not having a particular k-sha- sound when the shutter is released. It would appear that many consumers in this, the land of camera manufacture are in love with the DSLR clatter. Any clatter, in fact, so long as it sounds mechanical. (Hexar received mild approval.)

I used to think that the programmed audio in minicams was the result of chikan issues. That is, the audio was programmed-in to prevent perverts from taking upskirt shots and the like. That may be true, but it doesn't dissuade me from thinking that this country is in love with the paparazzi sound. It sounds like a moment is being captured (perhaps).

It's rather strange particularly since this is also a place where if I hand my camera off to a curious stranger, they never need my explanation of a rangefinder system as they usually are already aware of it. No exactly loud cameras, RFs.

I'm curious how locals feel about camera noise in other countries. In the states, I didn't notice anyone caring about it.

 

[Keith]

It's a sound that's been immortalized in numerous ways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudEttJlw3s

 

[ChrisN]

For about 25 years an Oly OM-10 was my only camera. The shutter sound of that camera is programmed into my brain as the "proper" sound for a camera to make. 🙂

 

[Nigel Meaby]

It's not by accident that the reassuringly expensive sound of the M9 is Ka- Ching 😀

 

[oftheherd]

I don't know how others feel in the USA. It seems silly to me to have a digital camera and not be able to shut off the sound. And of course, here in RF country, we usually seem to laud cameras with low shutter sounds.

 

[flip]

It's a sound that's been immortalized in numerous ways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudEttJlw3s

I had to stop that before the flashbacks kick in. 😱

It cracks me up though. People complaining about their Ricoh GR-whatnots for not sounding like a Canon. Bizarre to me.

 

[ronnies]

Whenever my brother in law sees me with a camera he automatically does an impersonation of an SLR with motor drive in full flow. No matter what camera I have with me.

I've also seen movies and TV shows where the camera always makes SLR plus motor drive type noises no matter what it is.

Ronnie

 

[gho]

It's a sound that's been immortalized in numerous ways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudEttJlw3s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9AfAB9Dqv8

Sioux: vocals, camera
Severin: synthesizers, rhythm box
Budgie: drums

She falls into frame with a professional pout but the polaroids ignite upon seeing their subject and the aperture shuts-too much exposure

Voyeur sucks into focus-floodlit the glossy kiss-pit but as emulsion drips down...down
the aperture shuts-too much exposure

Come into this room-Come into this gloom See the Red light rinsing another shutterslut wincing the sagging half-wit sister
pretty, pretty picture
of an ancient nipple shrinking-that Kodakwhore winking 'til the aperture shuts-too much exposure.