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randomax · 12-12-2015, 04:15 PM

I was trying to photograph a bird today and was fairly close to it. I was so sure in my mind that this one's gonna be a keeper. I do generally take 3 shots -
To circumvent the shake issue when shooting handheld. However, as soon as I clicked the first one, the sound scared the bird away..

I have a Pentax k-50.

Any suggestions - on how to reduce (totally eliminate) this sound and/or on techniques to not scare your subject?

matt_lin18 · 12-12-2015, 04:21 PM

You can't. You can only reduce the noise. The shutter is a physical noise, the mirror flapping in the camera - you can't turn it off.

Mirror less cameras can have a completely silent shutter because they have an electronic shutter.

A way to reduce the noise would be to use a telephoto and get farther away from the subject. There's also blimps, kinda of like cases for your camera but reduce the sound from it. You can also try to crudely make a blimp by wrapping fabric around your camera.

aleonx3 · 12-12-2015, 04:25 PM

I don't think you could shut off the shutter sound, however, you can get a higher model such as k-3 as the shutter noise would be more soft than the k-50 (lower end model). You could however, disable the beep alert sound (such as focus confirmation beep).

Adam · 12-12-2015, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by randomax

I was trying to photograph a bird today and was fairly close to it. I was so sure in my mind that this one's gonna be a keeper. I do generally take 3 shots -
To circumvent the shake issue when shooting handheld. However, as soon as I clicked the first one, the sound scared the bird away..

I have a Pentax k-50.

Any suggestions - on how to reduce (totally eliminate) this sound and/or on techniques to not scare your subject?

FWIW, the K-5/K-3's shutter is much quieter. In live view, the K-3 is very close to being inaudible since the mirror stays up and the FPS rating is so high.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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SpecialK · 12-12-2015, 06:00 PM

You can get a sound-muffling housing commonly called a "blimp". Frequently used on movie sets, etc. Not cheap.

**pepperberry farm** · 12-12-2015, 06:37 PM

having just begun using a K-3, I was surprised at how much quieter the mirror/shutter is than my K-50... even my wife remarked on the difference...

and, no, you cannot silence the sound in either camera....

excanonfd · 12-12-2015, 08:30 PM

The flagship models from K-5 onward (Possibly K-7 as well), has had much quieter shutter noise. This is one major reason why I would not consider any non-flagship models for purchase - it can get embarrassing when your camera goes 'Ka-thunk' at a recital (K-20D, which was actually noticeably quieter than the K100DSuper).

**clackers** · 12-13-2015, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by matt_lin18

Mirror less cameras can have a completely silent shutter because they have an electronic shutter.

The Sony A7R has a very noisy mechanical shutter.

Shutter design isn't related to whether a body has a mirror or not.

stevebrot · 12-13-2015, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

having just begun using a K-3, I was surprised at how much quieter the mirror/shutter is than my K-50... even my wife remarked on the difference...

Love the quiet shutter on my K-3!

Originally posted by clackers

The Sony A7R has a very noisy mechanical shutter.

Shutter sound was one reason why I passed on the A7 cameras.

If one must have silent or nearly so, full electronic and leaf shutters are the best option.

Steve

disord3r · 12-14-2015, 07:48 AM

Can you shoot live view so the mirror is already up? At least that point you only have to hear the shutter curtains fly past the sensor and not the mirror itself.

AquaDome · 12-14-2015, 08:10 AM

The K-50 is just about the noisiest shutter ever. It sounds like launching a catapult. Ka-Thwack!

**pepperberry farm** · 12-14-2015, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by disord3r

Can you shoot live view so the mirror is already up? At least that point you only have to hear the shutter curtains fly past the sensor and not the mirror itself.

not with the K-50; it does not offer the option to shoot with the mirror up....

disord3r · 12-14-2015, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

not with the K-50; it does not offer the option to shoot with the mirror up....

When you press live view, the mirror obviously goes up - I can see the lens view on the LCD and not in the viewfinder. Are you saying that it goes down when you press the shutter release only to go back up again to expose?

**pepperberry farm** · 12-14-2015, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by disord3r

When you press live view, the mirror obviously goes up - I can see the lens view on the LCD and not in the viewfinder. Are you saying that it goes down when you press the shutter release only to go back up again to expose?

yep...

disord3r · 12-14-2015, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

yep...

That seems a bit unnecessary.

12-12-2015, 04:15 PM	#1
randomax Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 28	Turn off shutter sound? I was trying to photograph a bird today and was fairly close to it. I was so sure in my mind that this one's gonna be a keeper. I do generally take 3 shots - To circumvent the shake issue when shooting handheld. However, as soon as I clicked the first one, the sound scared the bird away.. I have a Pentax k-50. Any suggestions - on how to reduce (totally eliminate) this sound and/or on techniques to not scare your subject?

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12-12-2015, 04:21 PM	#2
matt_lin18 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Kansas Posts: 63	You can't. You can only reduce the noise. The shutter is a physical noise, the mirror flapping in the camera - you can't turn it off. Mirror less cameras can have a completely silent shutter because they have an electronic shutter. A way to reduce the noise would be to use a telephoto and get farther away from the subject. There's also blimps, kinda of like cases for your camera but reduce the sound from it. You can also try to crudely make a blimp by wrapping fabric around your camera.

12-12-2015, 04:25 PM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I don't think you could shut off the shutter sound, however, you can get a higher model such as k-3 as the shutter noise would be more soft than the k-50 (lower end model). You could however, disable the beep alert sound (such as focus confirmation beep).

12-12-2015, 04:37 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by randomax I was trying to photograph a bird today and was fairly close to it. I was so sure in my mind that this one's gonna be a keeper. I do generally take 3 shots - To circumvent the shake issue when shooting handheld. However, as soon as I clicked the first one, the sound scared the bird away.. I have a Pentax k-50. Any suggestions - on how to reduce (totally eliminate) this sound and/or on techniques to not scare your subject? FWIW, the K-5/K-3's shutter is much quieter. In live view, the K-3 is very close to being inaudible since the mirror stays up and the FPS rating is so high. 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:

12-12-2015, 06:00 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	You can get a sound-muffling housing commonly called a "blimp". Frequently used on movie sets, etc. Not cheap.

12-12-2015, 06:37 PM	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	having just begun using a K-3, I was surprised at how much quieter the mirror/shutter is than my K-50... even my wife remarked on the difference... and, no, you cannot silence the sound in either camera....

12-12-2015, 08:30 PM	#7
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	The flagship models from K-5 onward (Possibly K-7 as well), has had much quieter shutter noise. This is one major reason why I would not consider any non-flagship models for purchase - it can get embarrassing when your camera goes 'Ka-thunk' at a recital (K-20D, which was actually noticeably quieter than the K100DSuper).

12-13-2015, 08:10 PM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by matt_lin18 Mirror less cameras can have a completely silent shutter because they have an electronic shutter. The Sony A7R has a very noisy mechanical shutter. Shutter design isn't related to whether a body has a mirror or not.

12-13-2015, 10:11 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pepperberry farm having just begun using a K-3, I was surprised at how much quieter the mirror/shutter is than my K-50... even my wife remarked on the difference... Love the quiet shutter on my K-3! Originally posted by clackers The Sony A7R has a very noisy mechanical shutter. Shutter sound was one reason why I passed on the A7 cameras. If one must have silent or nearly so, full electronic and leaf shutters are the best option. Steve

12-14-2015, 07:48 AM	#10
disord3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 135	Can you shoot live view so the mirror is already up? At least that point you only have to hear the shutter curtains fly past the sensor and not the mirror itself.

12-14-2015, 08:10 AM	#11
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	The K-50 is just about the noisiest shutter ever. It sounds like launching a catapult. Ka-Thwack!

12-14-2015, 08:19 AM	#12
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	Originally posted by disord3r Can you shoot live view so the mirror is already up? At least that point you only have to hear the shutter curtains fly past the sensor and not the mirror itself. not with the K-50; it does not offer the option to shoot with the mirror up....

12-14-2015, 08:45 AM	#13
disord3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 135	Originally posted by pepperberry farm not with the K-50; it does not offer the option to shoot with the mirror up.... When you press live view, the mirror obviously goes up - I can see the lens view on the LCD and not in the viewfinder. Are you saying that it goes down when you press the shutter release only to go back up again to expose?

12-14-2015, 09:16 AM	#14
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	Originally posted by disord3r When you press live view, the mirror obviously goes up - I can see the lens view on the LCD and not in the viewfinder. Are you saying that it goes down when you press the shutter release only to go back up again to expose? yep...

12-14-2015, 09:24 AM	#15
disord3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 135	Originally posted by pepperberry farm yep... That seems a bit unnecessary.

Turn off shutter sound?

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