R4M and R4A shutter sound

[cysasam]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting an R4M in the near future. Is there any big disadvantage of the M over the A?

Personally, my preference is as soft a shutter click as possible, and the ability to run without batteries (which would point only to the M, I think??)

How loud is the sound of the M compared to the A? Is it comparable to any of the Leica shutter sound, volume-wise?

Thanks!

As a background, I have a FED2 and Zorki3M, and they practically wake the dead.😛

 

[kully]

Think M8.

If you get your Fed-2 serviced (by Oleg, for example) it should not wake the dead. Not sure about the Zorki.

 

[kazeonrff]

They say the M is slightly dampened as compared to the A, though i have not had both to test for myself.
I'm satisfied with the R2a i have, no complaints on sound. Give one meter or so in a less noise polluted enclosed environment, they'll barely hear anything.

I used to shoot on a Praktica SLR,
It made the children cry.

 

[kully]

I've had an 'a' and an 'm' at the same time. Do no worry about the difference in sound - it is just a different tone - don't let this influence your decision.

The ability to work without batteries different, and this you must decide for yourself (the 'a' is completely dead without batteries).

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I find the R4A to be really loud. It's a great camera, though. I had an R3M as well, and it wasn't much quieter. If I need to be stealthy, I use my M2 or pocket digicam.

 

[cysasam]

Think M8.

If you get your Fed-2 serviced (by Oleg, for example) it should not wake the dead. Not sure about the Zorki.

Hmm, I'm just wondering whether it's cost-effective (in FSU rf price-range scheme of things🙄).

If the A is completely dependent on batteries, how long does a set last, say, at a usage rate of 2 rolls/week?

Thanks for the info, everyone.

 

[kully]

The batteries would probably last at least a year at 2 rolls per week.

But it is impossible to say - as it depends on how much you meter, the type of battery, the age of battery. But for their cost you don't need to worry.

 

[peter_n]

There may be sample variation. My R4A was not loud compared to my MPs and M7. It was slightly louder but nothing to get excited about. A very good camera IMO.

 

[tritiated]

On 2 rolls a week, it will last many months ... negligible cost really, just have a pair of batteries taped to your forehead just in case.
In relation to a digital camera, you will experience very frugal energy usage. Plus the 'low battery warning' gives you plenty of time to act in my experience (a roll or two perhaps).

Aperture priority works well, and with wide angles you will be quick fire focussing and picture taking! The audibility of the noise all depends on your surroundings effectively. The shutter noise is relatively quiet, no point in obsessing over that I believe.

I have an R3A, and would really like to get a R4 one day - paired with that Ultron 28/2 and a 21. Oh dear I appear do be daydreaming when I should be in the lab..

 

[chut]

The Bessas have a metal shutter and produce a louder sound that sounds like 'clack'. A Leica has a cloth shutter and makes a sound like 'slik'. I own both and prefer the smoother sound and feel of the Leica shutter, but the R4A/R4M has a unique built in viewfinder that I use with my 25 mm lens.

 

[uinku]

Unless you're shooting in a quiet environment, the quietness of a shutter is overrated. On the street, people are going to notice you moving the camera to your face more than the click.

 

[dwaoka]

cysasam: there's R4A in Classifieds right now, don't hesitate, it's wonderful camera!

 

[akiralx]

My R4M is very quiet compared to my M8 (which is quite loud for Leica).

I took some shots with the R4M at a chess match, basically a pretty silent large room, and no-one seemed to notice.

 

[notturtle]

quite a few people seem to buy R4s then sell them - what reasons did you guys have to sell them?

 

[peter_n]

In my case it was not being used enough. I bought it specifically to use with my 24mm lens but the problem with that arrangement was that it was a third body - a third wheel so to speak. I use two MPs together with 35 & 75mm lenses but I am not going to carry a third body. So I've gone back to using the 24 with a CV viewfinder on one of the MPs. I do miss the R4 though and I would definitely get another one if I found the time to do more shooting.