why do we like quiet cameras?

[FrankS]

Jaap, I"m okay with the existing cache of sunset photos, I just don't thihnk we need to add more.

(This is all tongue in cheek, you know, right?) 🙂

 

[BrianShaw]

... seems we have been trained to believe that quiet equals quality ...

But, it does... sort of. In clockwork mechanisms 'quiet' equals tighter tolerances. Tighter tolerances = more challenging engineering/manufacturing. More challenging engineering/manuafacturing = higher cost. Higher cost = evidence of quality. In clockwork mechanisms this generally leads to greater accuracy and precision... when in proper working order and when properly adjusted. But the trade-off is that a little dirt might cause the clockwork to stop functioning, whereas a "lower quality" (e.g. noisier, looser, cheaper) clockwork mechanism will keep running... albeit psooibly less precisely and less accurately. It's a trade-off that must be made based on user needs/requirements.

What's missing in this, and the 'quality discussion' on APUG is agreement (or even understanding) of what "quality" really is and how it impacts us as buyers and users. Frank, to name an individual, equates quality with "head-games" that lead to him being a better photographer. (I hope I 'm accurately capturing one of your theses, Frank). Others may equate quality with durability, while others may equate quality with impact on world peace, intenational poverty, and inmdustrial contributions to global warming.

Discussions of "quality" are interesting but often get wrapped around the axle because of differing definitions and differing needs.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I concur (w/Vince), my quietest camera is my Rolleiflex Automat IV, followed by the Kiev III, then the Leica M6. I have held and used other M6 bodies, and some are slightly louder than others.

Whether you can conclude that is "my insecurity" and "marketing-induced" awareness, that's up to you. What I want is what matters, not what you think.

 

[airds]

Noise

Noise

I always find cameras are quieter than usually thought. Hold them at arms length rather at the eye and so not so near the ears - and notice the difference.

So I think the 'Batteries Not Included' blog man is waffling a bit when he says:

"Footnote: The Olympus 35SPn is a great, compact camera with an excellent lens - but it's not the one I would bring with me for candid street photograpy a lot due to the shutter sound."

Suppose he's got to justify his other expensive kit though ;-)

 

[Sparrow]

good morning all!

this has been quite the discussion so far and civil too!
from what i have read i conclude that marketing is a big factor and the influence of others to convince us of a need that may not necessarily exist. it seems we have been trained to believe that quiet equals quality.
but the key factor may well be our own insecurity in that we are self conscious about taking people pictures and prefer a stealthy approach where attention is not directed at us.

perhaps i'll view this differently after my morning coffee or after more arguments have been made.

joe

So in effect you’re saying we’re in part being tricked by the manufactures and in part victims of our own insecurities and reluctance to take responsibility for our actions?


PS😀

 

[back alley]

gabriel, i said 'we', i am including myself in this discussion. no personal accusations are implied.

'...Discussions of "quality" are interesting but often get wrapped around the axle because of differing definitions and differing needs...'

this seems to fit. my experience was that a quiet shutter did not fit my needs as much as a modern camera did.

and folks, please keep in mind, this is an open discussion about shutter sounds and the quiet of a photo taking process not necessarily about specific brands.

joe

 

[GeneW]

The quieter the cam, the more I enjoy it somehow, but many of my cams are not all that quiet and most of the time folks don't even notice them. My FSU cams have a pretty distinct CLUNK and my Nikon SLR's have a bit of CLACK. My quietest cams are my XA, QL17 and Rolleiflex. My absolutely quietest cam is my Canon digicam. It makes no noise at all.

Gene

 

[back alley]

So in effect you’re saying we’re in part being tricked by the manufactures and in part victims of our own insecurities and reluctance to take responsibility for our actions?


PS😀

too deep for me sir😉

marketing is a powerful tool as is the influence we allow others to have on us. why do we post threads about what lens we should buy next or what to take on holidays with us? sure, it's mostly fun but we also like to know what others think or what they might o in a the same situations.
we are human and that is part of who we are.

joe

 

[rover]

So in effect you’re saying we’re in part being tricked by the manufactures and in part victims of our own insecurities and reluctance to take responsibility for our actions?


PS😀

I buy this argument.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Joe: the "you" is not you you. It's a general you.

One can get so misinterpreted (or like a dear leader would say, misinterpretated)

I guess I forgot the " 😀 "

 

[rover]

So in effect you’re saying we’re in part being tricked by the manufactures and in part victims of our own insecurities and reluctance to take responsibility for our actions?


PS😀

OK, let me restate, I buy this argument, but the trickster is not necessary the manufacturers, but also the users who have created an artificial need.

 

[Sparrow]

OK, let me restate, I buy this argument, but the trickster is not necessary the manufacturers, but also the users who have created an artificial need.
__________________
Dad with a Camera

My Gallery
rover's world

It’s whatever the received wisdom is, few people here are able actually test any of these specifications we base our opinions on, we only know what we are told by others. We are open to all types of manipulation, from a number of sources I know a bad lens review will have me doubting the evidence of my own eyes, and good one make me see or at least look for things that aren’t there.

 

[back alley]

Joe: the "you" is not you you. It's a general you.

One can get so misinterpreted (or like a dear leader would say, misinterpretated)

I guess I forgot the " 😀 "

thanks for the clarification, i thought i pissed you off.

joe

 

[Xmas]

There are cases: theatre, (mentioned already) or T Woods putting where noise will get you thrown out, or into water obstacle, with friendly gators.

Additionally wild animals have amazing reflexes, even a house dog can move his/her eye balls on the precursor noise from a SLR/rgfdr! I don't know where I still have the photo cause it was a failure, the dog (a bitch) was supposed to be looking at the food not panicing at the noise from the camera.

Shy people will lynch you (or be more photo shy) if they hear noise, or see lever wind operating...

Lastly LTM leicas are noisy from the exposed rotating shutter speed dial, the contax II were a lot quieter metal slats not with standing. The Ms are a lot quieter than LTM cameras, by then the Contax were near history.

Noel

 

[rover]

It’s whatever the received wisdom is, few people here are able actually test any of these specifications we base our opinions on, we only know what we are told by others. We are open to all types of manipulation, from a number of sources I know a bad lens review will have me doubting the evidence of my own eyes, and good one make me see or at least look for things that aren’t there.

That is just my opinion too, obviously no more or less valued than anyone elses.

 

[FrankS]

But it is called received wisdom not received nonsense. It must hold some value, the experiences of those that came before us.

 

[back alley]

one of my favourite posters from the 60's...

"a man can make the same mistake for years and call it experience."

joe

 

[FrankS]

one of my favourite posters from the 60's...

"a man can make the same mistake forever and call it experience."

joe

Hrrrumpph!

🙂

 

[Crasis]

one of my favourite posters from the 60's...

"a man can make the same mistake forever and call it experience."

joe

Being older than an M3 must be an interesting 'experience' 😀

 

[back alley]

Being older than an M3 must be an interesting 'experience' 😀

and i assume you have such same aspirations my young friend?

hard to achieve if you piss off a sicilian...😉

j/k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!