zeiss ikon shutter sound

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univid

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Jan 4, 2012
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Hi, Guys, I recently got a contax G2. After I tried it, I found the shutter is noisy, compared to cloth shutters(Leica and CLE).

coz I am thinking of getting a zeiss ikon, I am wondering what its sound is like? also how about hexar rf? They are all metal shutters, how are they compared to G2.

THanks a lot.
 
I have an M6 and two ZI. To be honest I prefer the sound of the ZI shutter, even though it is more metallic and higher pitched, but quieter than the Leica. Many will disagree with me, I'm sure ;)
 
I think to both G2 and Hexar RF it's not the issue of metal shutter but their motor drives.

I have used ZI, CLE and currently a MP extensively. The ZI makes a metallic cllick, a little louder than the CLE, which is again a little louder than a well-used M. No real difference on the street.

All much quieter than the ones with motors.
 
I would describe the ZI sound as shlink vs the M6 frrop sound :D however the M6 gets louder at higher shutter speeds. It is only whisper quiet at lower speeds.
 
"Frrop?" No, I don't think so. The faster speeds are "Shhupp." The lowest ones are "zzzzzp-rrrrrr." A fifteenth and thirtieth are "zi-zit-tick-tick." ;)
 
I might be able to help. I'm using a ZI now, but I've a M2 and M3 (and I used to own a M6 and M7). I had the same concerns as you when I purchased the ZI, given that it's a cloth shutter (and I had bad experience with noisy Bessa RFs before). The truth is, the ZI is slightly more audible than a M6 (the M7 is the quietest of all my M-series), and it has a different noise signature from the cloth shutters. BUT it is definitely not noisy in real world environment (except a library or in dead silence).

I took the leap of faith and purchased a ZI, and I love using it. It's not as well-engineered as a Leica in terms of built-quality and feel, but it is really fast to use in the street, has a huge viewfinder and lighter as well. The biggest drawback for me is that the shutter speed readout at the left side of the viewfinder is difficult to see.

I was just shooting with it this morning! :)
 
I've shot both and find the ZI is certainly louder than a G2, sounds more SLR-like, and a bit hollower. No motor tho.
 
sepiareverb said:
I've shot both and find the ZI is certainly louder than a G2, sounds more SLR-like, and a bit hollower. No motor tho.
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I also used to shoot a G2 and the Ikon is louder. Most of the noise of the G2 comes from the auto focus and the film advance, so overall the noise of the G2 is more noticeable than the Ikon even though it's quieter.

If you're worried about it just try the Ikon for a while. If it's too loud just get one of those leather covers from the Leica guy. They cut down the noise quite a bit. I really notice the difference when I'm not using the cover.

And all you guys trying to describe the sound got it all wrong, and I wonder what camera you're listening to. Hold it to your ear. It's kind of a tinkle/whirring sound at first, developing into a whoosh just before the clang. Many mistake the lens wobble sound for the shutter releasing, but that's more of a focus slurp.
 
jawarden said:
IIf it's too loud just get one of those leather covers from the Leica guy. They cut down the noise quite a bit. I really notice the difference when I'm not using the cover.
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Very good suggestion. The half cases really do make a big difference.
 
The ZI is certainly not a noisy camera. There's no motor drive noise and no mirror slap. It's probably a little louder than my M7, but the difference is not huge. I can use either camera on the trains here in Tokyo/Yokohama and no one notices when I fire the shutter. I was actually surprised at how loud my M7 is. I expected almost silent, but nope...
 
sepiareverb said:
I shall. If they're anything like a US train I could use a Pentax 67 and nobody would be the wiser.
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A big white guy with a Pentax 67 ??? Nope, Japanese trains are definitely not like US trains
nono.gif
 
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