Typical live view humming, when not in live view.

Unregistered User · 05-04-2016, 02:41 PM

Hi all,

We all know that when in live view, Pentax cameras produce a humming sound from their mechanics. Anyone able to explain why this humming comes when not in live view at every half press of the shutter/af button press? My K-3 does not do this. I can't see myself getting used to this constant engaging and disengaging of this noise in the camera. What happened to the simple silence when shooting through the viewfinder? Far too noisy for my liking. I've tried turning of SR, that doesn't work. All filters etc are off. No idea if there is a way to turn off what ever it causing it.

Kindly

Rob.

Adam · 05-04-2016, 02:50 PM

The sensor still needs to be stabilized while shooting through the viewfinder. To save power, the SR mechanism isn't active unless the light meter is on (i.e. following a half-press).

If SR is turned off, the system is still powered up to keep the sensor locked in place. In other words, there's no way to get rid of the humming.

Originally posted by lightsource

My K-3 does not do this

It does, but it's much harder to hear

Try a telephoto lens and you'll definitely hear it.

Unregistered User · 05-04-2016, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The sensor still needs to be stabilized while shooting through the viewfinder. To save power, the SR mechanism isn't active unless the light meter is on (i.e. following a half-press).

If SR is turned off, the system is still powered up to keep the sensor locked in place. In other words, there's no way to get rid of the humming.

It does, but it's much harder to hear

Try a telephoto lens and you'll definitely hear it.

Thankyou, appreciated. I'm sure I'll eventually get used to it.

Kindly,

Rob.

Not a Number · 05-04-2016, 03:18 PM

The sensor cradle on the K-1 is much larger than the APS-C versions. You can read about the challenges Ricoh faced trying to keep the size and weight of the K-1 sensor SR mechanism down. If they wanted to make a larger body it would have been an easier design task.

Challengers | PENTAX K-1 Special site | RICOH IMAGING

**BigMackCam** · 05-04-2016, 04:55 PM

This is interesting. My Sony A99V-based Hasselblad HV is full frame, and has Sony's "SteadyShot" SR built in. I leave this activated most of the time while shooting hand-held, and I don't notice any noise from that whatsoever, even at home and using longer lenses such as the Tamron 70-200 USD and Tamron 150-600 USD... or I haven't thus far. I wonder if the SR technologies are mechanically very different, or if the Sony technology relies more on software than mechanics?

Unregistered User · 05-04-2016, 10:13 PM

On a positive note!! I first noticed it at 3:30am, in a dead quiet room. It seemed overly loud. Though out and about today in real world use, It was no longer noticed. Merely was amplified in the utter silence and only heard when close to my face!

Peace peeps!

Gimbal · 05-04-2016, 10:51 PM

Can someone confirm that the K-3 does this? I know that the K-5 and earlier models doesn't.

I'm not a fan of this power draining method of engaging the SR mechanism as soon as I hit a button.

rawr · 05-04-2016, 11:28 PM

Originally posted by Gimbal

Can someone confirm that the K-3 does this?

If it does, I have never, ever noticed it - with long lenses, short lenses, indoors, outdoors, whatever.

**southlander** · 05-05-2016, 02:20 AM

And if you can hear it, your hearing is still fairly good!

Unless it's thrashing about with a long tele lens, it's pretty well beyond me to hear it these days.

05-04-2016, 02:41 PM	#1
Unregistered User Guest	Typical live view humming, when not in live view. Hi all, We all know that when in live view, Pentax cameras produce a humming sound from their mechanics. Anyone able to explain why this humming comes when not in live view at every half press of the shutter/af button press? My K-3 does not do this. I can't see myself getting used to this constant engaging and disengaging of this noise in the camera. What happened to the simple silence when shooting through the viewfinder? Far too noisy for my liking. I've tried turning of SR, that doesn't work. All filters etc are off. No idea if there is a way to turn off what ever it causing it. Kindly Rob.

05-04-2016, 02:50 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	The sensor still needs to be stabilized while shooting through the viewfinder. To save power, the SR mechanism isn't active unless the light meter is on (i.e. following a half-press). If SR is turned off, the system is still powered up to keep the sensor locked in place. In other words, there's no way to get rid of the humming. Originally posted by lightsource My K-3 does not do this It does, but it's much harder to hear Try a telephoto lens and you'll definitely hear it. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-04-2016, 03:02 PM	#3
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by Adam The sensor still needs to be stabilized while shooting through the viewfinder. To save power, the SR mechanism isn't active unless the light meter is on (i.e. following a half-press). If SR is turned off, the system is still powered up to keep the sensor locked in place. In other words, there's no way to get rid of the humming. It does, but it's much harder to hear Try a telephoto lens and you'll definitely hear it. Thankyou, appreciated. I'm sure I'll eventually get used to it. Kindly, Rob.

05-04-2016, 03:18 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The sensor cradle on the K-1 is much larger than the APS-C versions. You can read about the challenges Ricoh faced trying to keep the size and weight of the K-1 sensor SR mechanism down. If they wanted to make a larger body it would have been an easier design task. Challengers \| PENTAX K-1 Special site \| RICOH IMAGING

05-04-2016, 04:55 PM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	This is interesting. My Sony A99V-based Hasselblad HV is full frame, and has Sony's "SteadyShot" SR built in. I leave this activated most of the time while shooting hand-held, and I don't notice any noise from that whatsoever, even at home and using longer lenses such as the Tamron 70-200 USD and Tamron 150-600 USD... or I haven't thus far. I wonder if the SR technologies are mechanically very different, or if the Sony technology relies more on software than mechanics?

05-04-2016, 10:13 PM	#6
Unregistered User Guest	On a positive note!! I first noticed it at 3:30am, in a dead quiet room. It seemed overly loud. Though out and about today in real world use, It was no longer noticed. Merely was amplified in the utter silence and only heard when close to my face! Peace peeps!

05-04-2016, 10:51 PM	#7
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	Can someone confirm that the K-3 does this? I know that the K-5 and earlier models doesn't. I'm not a fan of this power draining method of engaging the SR mechanism as soon as I hit a button.

05-04-2016, 11:28 PM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Gimbal Can someone confirm that the K-3 does this? If it does, I have never, ever noticed it - with long lenses, short lenses, indoors, outdoors, whatever.

05-05-2016, 02:20 AM	#9
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	And if you can hear it, your hearing is still fairly good! Unless it's thrashing about with a long tele lens, it's pretty well beyond me to hear it these days.