RD 1X -- shutter noise?

[agricola]

I am getting sucked in to theatre photography. Two things have become important: shutter noise and low light (high ISO) performance.

Currently using a D200. It's noisy. Very noisy. Sometimes embarrassing if anywhere near the stage.

Been looking at the new (re-introduced) RD1X for about USD 3000 on matsuiyastore. Wondering if it is a better bet overall than the M8 for - let's keep it in USD - about 4000 at B&H ( I assume that is the 8.2). My only experience of low shutter noise is a Leica M4 and (not really the same thing - it's difficult to hear! and can be silent!) a Konica hexar AF.

How does the Epson shutter noise compare to the M4?

I have noted the difference in megapixel count between the Epson and the M8.

Some of the B&W shots here with the Epson are very impressive in tones and range. Very film like.

What do you guys think? sure, I could get a D700 and have all the high ISO performance anyone could wish for, but then there's the shutter/mirror noise distracting the performers, and the so obvious bulk of the thing. I want something to carry around as well.

many thanks if you have some time to give advice

P.S. Uh oh, just noticed on Popflash that a new M8.2 is about USD6000 and a mint used is USD5000 - maybe the B&H ad was for an 8.0 or a used example.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I've spent last weekend with a friend who was shooting a D700, the noise is indeed pretty audible, certainly in a stateroom with a bride and groom. The shutter on my R-D1 isn't super quiet, but a lot more reduced then my friend's D700.
The R-D1 shutter's noise-level sounds about the same as of one of my Leica IIIc cameras, but you do get the added noise of handling the 'winding'-lever.

 

[back alley]

i find the 'old' rd1 is much quieter than the a comparable bessa body and overall the rd1 is a very quiet camera.
we had a member here at rff, jlw, that did stage photography with an rd1 and had some great shots with it.

joe

 

[phototektour]

Comparing to my D300 my R-D1 is not that noisy. But taking photos in a quiet theatre, you will hear the R-D1 very well (as I was told).

A question to all the guys using a half-case: Does this help to make it more silent?

R

 

[Rob-F]

Certainly one advantage of the R-D1 for theater work is its superior low-light High-ISO performance.

I have to say, though, as a D-200 owner & user, that I don't find it to be a loud camera. Sure, it's louder than my Leica M cameras; but it's really not bad, for an SLR.

 

[Catto]

Shoot the dress rehearsal instead? I would very rarely be found shooting theatre with an audience in, but when I have to, I use one of these - http://www.soundblimp.com/ - with my 1DMkIII rig. That gives me a near-silent camera and all the ISO headroom I need.

I've actually shot from between the heads of audience members in the back row of a 200 seat theatre, and they asked me afterwards if I was shooting video - they never heard a thing, and the end of my lens was next to their ears. I've used it on stage (yes, ON stage) with a symphony orchestra, and they didn't hear a thing either...see if you can rent one locally, if you don't want to buy it?
R!

p.s. I would never consider my R-D1s an improvement over an SLR kit with fast lenses for that sort of work, personally...

 

[phototektour]

...
p.s. I would never consider my R-D1s an improvement over an SLR kit with fast lenses for that sort of work, personally...

Depends on kind of theatre, event and building with light situations. There is no general decision for dSLR or RF. But, sure you´re right, forget high iso1600 with r-d1, it´s to noisy (max. iso800 usable with R-D1. D300 even iso2500 is very well). And for my person I don´t like these coffins ;-) Even working with a symphony orchestra (and everywhere the mics are hanging around) they never said to me to be a troublemaker, using the D300. Looking for the right moment no-one will hear you. R-D1 is great e.g. at lectures ... no motions and good light. The R-D1-shutter noise is another kind of noise. People hear you, but also they like it. They feel the difference between scanning with 8f/s and taking photographies.
Just my 5C
R

 

[bennyng]

Perhaps a third party sound blimp might help. I do know that Canon makes dedicated sound muzzle for their cameras, but I'm not too sure about Nikon.

Cheers,

 

[Catto]

There is no general decision for dSLR or RF.

For me, there is! If I've got no control over the situation, and only one shot at it (ie. one performance / rehearsal to shoot), there's no chance I'd be relying on manual focus & fixed prime lenses with lower ISO, if I had the option of fast zooms and excellent low-light AF & better overall AE available.

Sorry, I like a nice rangefinder as much as the next person (I wouldn't be here otherwise), but there's no way on earth I could do half the same job with one under those circumstances, even with a blimp over top of the SLR - which is a lot like having one hand tied behind your back, really!
R

 

[phototektour]

... If I've got no control over the situation,...
R

No need for sorry 😎
only I don´t see any reason to get no control with a RF 😕 Some people are looking at the situation before and some after taking the pics.
Depends on...
R

 

[Catto]

I don´t see any reason to get no control with a RF...

I just mean if the people on stage aren't taking direction from me - if they're going through a scene without my being able to ask them to do it again, or change their blocking / placement on stage, if I'm not going to be able to control the framing of the image apart from by moving myself & the camera or zooming, I'd much rather have the option of zoom lenses.

Also, if I'm not able to alter the brightness of scenes, I'd rather have higher ISO levels available; and if I can't pause to take a new reading every time the brightness changes on stage, I'd rather have consistent meter readings or an in-camera spot meter available. That kind of stuff - all of which tends to be out of the photographer's control if you're covering a live performance...
R!

 

[phototektour]

Dear Robert Catto,
I know very well what you mean, but all what I´m saying is, that not every scene is the same. For my person, I´m using both ... dSLR and RF ... zoom and manual focus & fixed prime lenses. If not, there would be no reason to keep RF ... or to keep dSLR ... and SLR ... and even pointandshoot!
R

 

[Catto]

...not every scene is the same. If not, there would be no reason to keep RF ...

Got you. Personally, I don't use the RF if I'm working, I'll have 2 dSLR bodies, sometimes as you say one with zoom & one prime - my reason to keep the RF is for my own personal work. I've never found it to be up to serious theatre / concert use, so I'd be really hesitant to recommend it to others (esp. as a replacement for a D200!), also because the sensor in the RD-1s is quite a bit more sensitive to contrast than later model Canons. But that can be effective too!

I just prefer to have a flatter capture, and add whatever contrast is needed afterwards if I choose.
R

 

[phototektour]

Sometime in future I`ll come and visit New Zealand, taking photos with a RF 🙂 Have a good time, its midnight here
R

 

[Catto]

Stop on by! It might be midnight there, but it's winter here...so ditch your winter in Jan / Feb / Mar, and come to our summer. Much better time to do it.
R!