wblynch
Well-known
Well an OM-1 will have some clockwork noise from longer exposures (quite pleasing to me)
But lock up that OM-1 mirror and I can't imagine a quieter SLR.
Some OM's now suffer from mirror return 'ping' and aperture lever 'ring' when surfaces collide. Their original noise reduction features must be worn by now.
But lock up that OM-1 mirror and I can't imagine a quieter SLR.
Some OM's now suffer from mirror return 'ping' and aperture lever 'ring' when surfaces collide. Their original noise reduction features must be worn by now.
nobbylon
Veteran
Lock up the mirror and it's not now an SLR!
The challenge of making a quiet SLR is in making the mirror and if fitted the motor as quiet as possible. The OM1 is no better than most in this respect. I had an OM system and it was no quieter than my Nikon systems.
segedi
RFicianado
My Canon EOS Elan 7E is fairly quiet.
The new Nikon D810 is very quiet, especially for a fullframe DSLR.
The Mamiya 7 II is so silent I didn't think it even took a photo the first time I snapped it! Love the leaf shutters.
The loudest cameras I've owned:
Hasselblad 503CW - loud but neat sounding
Sony NEX 5N - like a yappy dog that one, tiny-cute but annoying.
The new Nikon D810 is very quiet, especially for a fullframe DSLR.
The Mamiya 7 II is so silent I didn't think it even took a photo the first time I snapped it! Love the leaf shutters.
The loudest cameras I've owned:
Hasselblad 503CW - loud but neat sounding
Sony NEX 5N - like a yappy dog that one, tiny-cute but annoying.
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
It's not the quietest but my Leica 6.2 has a very refined snick and thunk.
Almost manly... lol
(I have a softy on mine which improves the feel)
Almost manly... lol
(I have a softy on mine which improves the feel)
dtcls100
Well-known
My personal experience is a bit different. Without a motor drive, I found the OM-1, OM-1n, OM-2n, OM-4t bodies to be noticeably quieter than Nikon FE2 and FM3a bodies, as the Nikons have much higher pitched and more metallic shutter release sounds. However, the OM winder 2 makes a horrific and loud squeal in operation (even though its max is 2.5 fps) and is much louder than the Nikon MD-12 drive (which has a max of 3.5 fps). However, the OM Motor Drive 1 and especially the Motor Drive 2 (both max at 5 fps) are quieter than the Nikon MD-12.
The Nikon F6 however is still quieter than any OM camera in operation (and most rangefinders I have tried). This not too surprising really, given that Nikon states it paid particular attention to addressing noise and vibration and because Nikon had the advantage of several decades worth of tech advancement between the time of development/design of the OM cameras and the Nikon F6. In multiple respects, the Olympus OMs were well ahead of their times. Indeed, the OM motor drives' 5 frames per second motor drives (without need to lockup mirror) was not matched by other manufacturers for quite a few years. Indeed, the Nikon F3 and MD-4 motor drive could only go 5 fps with the mirror locked up.
steveyork
Well-known
In terms of mechanical cameras, the Leicaflex series is pretty quiet. Over the last couple decades I've used the following SLRs -- Nikons F, F2, F3, Topcon R, Leicaflex original, SL, SL2, Contarex Bullseye. Contax D, Contaflex IV, Canon FTb, Leica R6, 6.2, 7, original Canonflex, and probably a few others.
Of these the most pleasing shutter sound is the Leicaflex series and the original Canonflex (the best!!). They are also the quietest. The Canonflex has an absolutely cool sounding shutter (too bad it has radioactive lenses). When the Leicaflex came out, the magazines tested it as the quietest mechanical shutter of its' time.
The loudest mechanical shutters were the Contarex and the Nikon F2. Annoyingly so. Like a gun going off. The Contaflex IV is also pretty loud (if my memory is correct).
Of these the most pleasing shutter sound is the Leicaflex series and the original Canonflex (the best!!). They are also the quietest. The Canonflex has an absolutely cool sounding shutter (too bad it has radioactive lenses). When the Leicaflex came out, the magazines tested it as the quietest mechanical shutter of its' time.
The loudest mechanical shutters were the Contarex and the Nikon F2. Annoyingly so. Like a gun going off. The Contaflex IV is also pretty loud (if my memory is correct).
HHPhoto
Well-known
+1.
I have compared my F6 to lots of other cameras. And it is much quiter than all other SLRs (no matter whether AF or MF SLRs).
Nikon did an absolutely outstanding job with the F6 design.
Cheers, Jan
Ronald M
Veteran
Raise the mirror on my F2 Nikon. I can hear nothing.
Also get insanely sharp images.
DSLR have mirror up mode and also shutter delay.
Also get insanely sharp images.
DSLR have mirror up mode and also shutter delay.
Skiff
Well-known
I wrote that about two years ago.
Nothing has changed since then
.The F6 is still the most quiet SLR ever built.
Pentode
Well-known
My Minolta XD-11 is pretty darn quiet, but it's still nowhere near as quiet as a leaf shutter RF.
mkvrnn
Established
The LOUDEST I ever had was my first SLR, a Zenith. That one used to frighten horses.
After that all the Olympus, Pentax, Rolleiflex and other SLRs seemed whisper quiet.
The quietest shutter I've owned (non SLR) is an Olympus Pen S half frame. The M3 is deafening by comparison.
After that all the Olympus, Pentax, Rolleiflex and other SLRs seemed whisper quiet.
The quietest shutter I've owned (non SLR) is an Olympus Pen S half frame. The M3 is deafening by comparison.
PaulDalex
Dilettante artist
SRL's I have owned/own
NIKON: NikkorexF, F, F4
MINOLTA: 9000, 7xi, 9xi, 9
CONTAX: RTSII, RX, RTSIII, S2
PENTAX: KX
Many of them I still own, a few I would sell, but it very difficult because I can only sell (and also I prefer to sell) face to face.
My impression is that the most quiet of those is the Contax RTSIII. I could hear the whisper of the motors (advance / vacuum system) but not he shutter
Cheers
Paul
NIKON: NikkorexF, F, F4
MINOLTA: 9000, 7xi, 9xi, 9
CONTAX: RTSII, RX, RTSIII, S2
PENTAX: KX
Many of them I still own, a few I would sell, but it very difficult because I can only sell (and also I prefer to sell) face to face.
My impression is that the most quiet of those is the Contax RTSIII. I could hear the whisper of the motors (advance / vacuum system) but not he shutter
Cheers
Paul
PaulDalex
Dilettante artist
Edit: but not he shutter/mirror
Skiff
Well-known
That is interesting. With the F6 you only hear an extremely quiet and well dampened mirror slap. Nothing else.
The film advance motor is absolutely silent. You don't hear it at all.
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
You're right. Additionally, the Leicaflex / SL / SL2 models have had then — and probably still have — the brightest viewfinders, at least still much much better than anything with «Nikon» written on it