ZM Shutter Sound

[Scott G]

I am considering a ZM to add as a backup to my M6, and more than likely as the camera that I will travel with. I love the M6, but mostly because of the nearly silent shutter, not because of the red dot (I have pretty much no brand loyalty).

How does the ZM compare? Also, how different is the ZM shutter sound from the Bessa's?


Thanks for the help!

 

[Keith]

Quieter than a Bessa and slightly higher pitched ... in volume, probably halfway between your M6 and a Bessa.

Technically the ZM is way ahead of the Leica IMO with it's finder and better shutter speeds (1/2000) etc! Not to mention the AE capability ... whether you use it or not! 🙂

 

[back alley]

it's not louder, it's a completely different sound, more metallic.

i did sound tests with a sound pressure level meter and the bessa r4a and the zi are pretty much at the same decibel level...but the zi 'sounds' louder to one's ear because it's a metallic sound.

 

[morback]

i did sound tests with a sound pressure level meter

😱 !

The ZI is quiet enough for normal use. People notice the camera more than the sound.

 

[willie_901]

For what it's worth, check out this web site

http://elekm.net/zeiss_ikon/pages/body.html

Scroll to the bottom for sound recordings.

Read

http://elekm.net/zeiss_ikon/pages/comments_other_bm.html

for more technical details about the shutter design.

 

[Scott G]

Willie 901,

Thanks for that link. The recording of the M6 is actually a good representation of how mine sounds. So assuming the rest of them are accurate as well, I think there may be a Zeiss in my future.

 

[willie_901]

Scott.

You're most welcome. The ZI shutter is not loud, but it's different than a Leica. No one has ever noticed the shutter noise from my ZM.

willie

 

[italy74]

Great articles! Thanks for sharing

 

[hiromu]

I think both are quiet enough. Just different.

 

[peripatetic]

And of course (excuse me for preaching to the choir) it's much less noticable than an SLR shutter because you don't have the triple-thunk of mirror, shutter, mirror.

The ZI's metallic "snick" is certainly not noticable in normal use, if your subject is more than a couple of meters away they will not hear it, if you are closer than that well then they know you are there anyway!!

 

[redpony]

I agonized over the shutter sound of the Ikon vs Leica M before purchasing the Ikon. I have a Mamiya 7 and an Oly 35RC which both have leaf shutters and are pretty much silent. The Ikon is not nearly as discrete but, from the photographer's point of view, I like it better.

 

[morback]

I agonized over the shutter sound of the Ikon vs Leica M before purchasing the Ikon. I have a Mamiya 7 and an Oly 35RC which both have leaf shutters and are pretty much silent. The Ikon is not nearly as discrete but, from the photographer's point of view, I like it better.

I had the Mamiya 6 & OlyRC/RD and when I loaned it to a friend who was used to his Bessa R3, he was not able to tell when he took the picture.
Leaf shutters rock. The size and weight of an M does not however...

Now a fixed lens Zeiss Ikon with Sonnar 50/1.5 leaf would be my ideal camera...😀