So how "silent" are the DC motors supposed to be?

6BQ5 · 12-22-2015, 10:58 AM

Every "silent" lens will make some noise. After all, as @nanhi said above, the lens components rotate around each other and there will always some gear lash noise along with the sound of the motor as well. Some lenses will be quieter than others.

Voice or magnetic coil driven lenses will be absolutely silent. My Sigma 60mm Art lens is dead silent on my Olympus M10. The IBIS makes all sorts of noise though so the system as a whole sounds like static.

dakight · 12-22-2015, 01:40 PM

I have a DA 18-270 which I believe is a rebadged Tamron lens; it is what I call "utterly, eerily silent." There is a very faint hum or whir if I listen carefully but someone more than a yard away would never hear it. Sometimes I have to look to be sure it's focusing.

**Des** · 12-22-2015, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by normhead

At my own feeder, I've noticed the birds do get used to shutters.

Lyrebirds around here not only get used to camera noises but imitate them.

You Tube

---------- Post added 12-23-15 at 09:06 AM ----------

Originally posted by boriscleto

This horse on an Amish farm was upset by the sound of the 18-55 trying to focus in live view on the K-x.

Maybe as an Amish horse it didn't approve of photography.

normhead · 12-22-2015, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by nanhi

Also my copy is brutally sharp - so much so ladies hate the pimples, skin blemishes or bleached facial hairs on their face. I just chuckle and have a laugh.

That's when you turn on the software AA filter.

MikeW · 12-22-2015, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by Davidparis

That was an epic comment!

Ditto!

bertwert · 12-23-2015, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Des

Lyrebirds around here not only get used to camera noises but imitate them.

What on earth!

sculptor666 · 12-23-2015, 12:04 PM

manual focus is pretty silent.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-23-2015, 05:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sculptor666

manual focus is pretty silent.

You beat me to it, especially prefocussed wide angles.

To be fair to the OP he did mention "how silent are the DC motors", so my hand doesn't really count.

mee · 12-23-2015, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by dakight

I have a DA 18-270 which I believe is a rebadged Tamron lens; it is what I call "utterly, eerily silent." There is a very faint hum or whir if I listen carefully but someone more than a yard away would never hear it. Sometimes I have to look to be sure it's focusing.

That is how quiet the SDM is too. It makes a faint whirl or hum sound. It is so quiet (on a good copy) that when it is focusing, sometimes I don't realize it has done anything (unless looking through the VF). But, even saying that, it isn't completely silent.

The DC in the 18-135 WR has a more audible high pitched whine when it focuses.

The screwdrive could almost wake the dead.

Out of the bunch, I prefer the DC. It is (imo) the best compromise between focusing speed and minimal noise.

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12-22-2015, 10:58 AM	#16
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Every "silent" lens will make some noise. After all, as @nanhi said above, the lens components rotate around each other and there will always some gear lash noise along with the sound of the motor as well. Some lenses will be quieter than others. Voice or magnetic coil driven lenses will be absolutely silent. My Sigma 60mm Art lens is dead silent on my Olympus M10. The IBIS makes all sorts of noise though so the system as a whole sounds like static.

12-22-2015, 01:40 PM	#17
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	I have a DA 18-270 which I believe is a rebadged Tamron lens; it is what I call "utterly, eerily silent." There is a very faint hum or whir if I listen carefully but someone more than a yard away would never hear it. Sometimes I have to look to be sure it's focusing.

12-22-2015, 03:30 PM	#19
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by nanhi Also my copy is brutally sharp - so much so ladies hate the pimples, skin blemishes or bleached facial hairs on their face. I just chuckle and have a laugh. That's when you turn on the software AA filter.

12-22-2015, 04:54 PM	#20
MikeW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	Originally posted by Davidparis That was an epic comment! Ditto!

12-23-2015, 09:58 AM	#21
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by Des Lyrebirds around here not only get used to camera noises but imitate them. What on earth!

12-23-2015, 12:04 PM	#22
sculptor666 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 675	manual focus is pretty silent.

12-23-2015, 05:18 PM - 1 Like	#23
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by sculptor666 manual focus is pretty silent. You beat me to it, especially prefocussed wide angles. To be fair to the OP he did mention "how silent are the DC motors", so my hand doesn't really count.

12-23-2015, 08:38 PM	#24
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by dakight I have a DA 18-270 which I believe is a rebadged Tamron lens; it is what I call "utterly, eerily silent." There is a very faint hum or whir if I listen carefully but someone more than a yard away would never hear it. Sometimes I have to look to be sure it's focusing. That is how quiet the SDM is too. It makes a faint whirl or hum sound. It is so quiet (on a good copy) that when it is focusing, sometimes I don't realize it has done anything (unless looking through the VF). But, even saying that, it isn't completely silent. The DC in the 18-135 WR has a more audible high pitched whine when it focuses. The screwdrive could almost wake the dead. Out of the bunch, I prefer the DC. It is (imo) the best compromise between focusing speed and minimal noise.