Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

erickallemeyn · 12-24-2009, 12:12 PM

Just though I'd share the results of my boring day.

I've been slightly annoyed with the loud K-x shutter sound, so I attempted to quiet it! Being a computer modder at heart, I figured what the heck, might as well try.

Preliminary results definitely seem not-as-loud! I don't know by how much exactly, but definitely quieter.

2 pieces of duct tape overlapped on each side to cover the little plastic knob that stops the mirror and glass. Took maybe 10 minutes

Although I'll have to remember to check the tape now and then to make sure it's not coming loose. That could be very bad...

50 shutter actuations so far, doesn't seem to interfere with the speed or movement at all, call me a happy guy today!

Last edited by erickallemeyn; 12-26-2009 at 01:42 PM.

wlachan · 12-24-2009, 12:59 PM

AF & manual focus through the focus screen would be affected, if I am not mistaken.

sajah · 12-25-2009, 03:28 AM

A black K-x! That's rare

ytterbium · 12-25-2009, 03:41 AM

I'd try to avoid such reflective materials. A wise thing would be sticking a black painted paper tape over it.
The thing about focus accuracy is true aswell. The mirror has to stop exactly at 45 degrees, otherwise light path distances for focusing screen and AF sensors are not equal with diistance to sensor.

But the idea as whole is not very wise.. i'd be afraid that something might stick off and get caught in some fragile mechanic part like the shutter.

Btw, i've observed that lens has a lot to do with how the camera sounds. Maybe some vibration dampening material around the mount can help.

brecklundin · 12-25-2009, 04:05 AM

not sure I would put duct tape inside a camera body. The reason is the adhesive on duct tape is AWFUL and will not only leave a residue you will likely never be able to remove w/o risking damage to the sensor but also as the tape deteriorates the fibers will begin to unravel causing who knows what other issues. Also, over time the adhesive dries out and will, not may, but will turn into a powder which will end up inducing dust into the body of the camera...Last under heat/warm conditions the adhesive in duct tape will soften and potentially move around. There is a reason camera makes do not use this sort of thing for sound dampening of the mirror slap. Not sure what they do in the K7 but it's not gonna be duct tape...hehehe...though Red Green would be proud of ya!!

And even more important, you likely have completely voided your warranty.

I hear ya as to WHY it was important to you to figure something out to dampen the slap...only there had to be other less harmful, more reversible, and less potentially harmful options...hope nothing eventually goes wrong or that you ever need to send the body in for warranty service because you might have boned yourself in that area...this is the sort of thing that puts me off buying a used body.

Vylen · 12-25-2009, 05:00 AM

yea =/

i'd refrain from putting foreign objects in the camera near the sensor and the mirror... especially if it has the potential of leaving a sticky residue...

i consider [D]SLR's to be precision equipment so i wouldnt mess with its workings...

Christopher M.W.T · 12-25-2009, 07:03 AM

Noisy are you kidding?

The whole point of having a DSLR imho is for the distinct clicking noise it makes! Personally I find the shutter sound on the K-7 way too quiet for my tastes and would much prefer if it was louder like the K-X.

I guess i'm strangely old fashioned for a 26 year old, but I like my shutters loud, I like my viewfinders analogue and I don't like shooting in program mode lol.

Nameles · 12-25-2009, 08:51 AM

I also enjoy the shutter sound of my K-x. Having said that, I can see that there are times when you'd want it to be quiet so as not to disturb others in certain situations however I will not be sticking any tape inside my new camera.

erickallemeyn · 12-25-2009, 09:09 AM

Warranty? I don't need no stinkin warranty!

I've actually done some focus tests (45* angle on a newspaper) and it's still spot on. No issues to speak of. A 16-50 DA* lens definitely helps with the noise too.

brecklundin · 12-25-2009, 01:34 PM

got your ID marked to never ever, EVER, buy any used gear from ya...hehehehe....but, hey, it's your cash so what the heck, HAVE FUN with it!!

Raptorman · 12-26-2009, 09:27 PM

Absolutely retarded.

brecklundin · 12-26-2009, 11:08 PM

looks like the OP took his ball and went home. pics are gone too funny.

**ManuH** · 12-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by brecklundin

looks like the OP took his ball and went home. pics are gone too funny.

It's a pity that someone trying to achieve something is laughed at. He risked destroying his camera, so what?

brecklundin · 12-27-2009, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by erickallemeyn

Warranty? I don't need no stinkin warranty!

I've actually done some focus tests (45* angle on a newspaper) and it's still spot on. No issues to speak of. A 16-50 DA* lens definitely helps with the noise too.

Originally posted by ManuH

It's a pity that someone trying to achieve something is laughed at. He risked destroying his camera, so what?

Actually if your read the reply from the OP you can see he was either OK with the ribbing or just being a putz about it...I felt it was not a smart move but as i wrote, its his gear and what others think doesn't matter.

erickallemeyn · 12-27-2009, 06:21 PM

My bad! I just took the pics down when I was cleaning up my web folders. I've still got them, but I suppose I'll leave them down now.

Not like you guys are nice to me anyways!

(camera's working fine, btw.)

12-24-2009, 12:12 PM	#1
erickallemeyn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United States Posts: 112	K-x Silent Shutter Mod :) Just though I'd share the results of my boring day. I've been slightly annoyed with the loud K-x shutter sound, so I attempted to quiet it! Being a computer modder at heart, I figured what the heck, might as well try. Preliminary results definitely seem not-as-loud! I don't know by how much exactly, but definitely quieter. 2 pieces of duct tape overlapped on each side to cover the little plastic knob that stops the mirror and glass. Took maybe 10 minutes Although I'll have to remember to check the tape now and then to make sure it's not coming loose. That could be very bad... 50 shutter actuations so far, doesn't seem to interfere with the speed or movement at all, call me a happy guy today! Last edited by erickallemeyn; 12-26-2009 at 01:42 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Landscape Silent Valley #3	juu	Photo Critique	18	02-05-2010 03:15 PM
Pansasonic GH2 Shutter-less could be an entirely silent camera	Samsungian	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	4	02-04-2010 02:32 PM
Nature Silent woods	ovim	Post Your Photos!	7	01-18-2010 09:27 AM
Kx FW silent update?	opiedog	Pentax DSLR Discussion	1	12-30-2009 11:03 AM
Silent River	TrailSeeker	Post Your Photos!	1	02-04-2007 10:13 PM

12-24-2009, 12:59 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	AF & manual focus through the focus screen would be affected, if I am not mistaken.

12-25-2009, 03:28 AM	#3
sajah Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Korea Photos: Gallery Posts: 275	A black K-x! That's rare

12-25-2009, 03:41 AM	#4
ytterbium Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,076	I'd try to avoid such reflective materials. A wise thing would be sticking a black painted paper tape over it. The thing about focus accuracy is true aswell. The mirror has to stop exactly at 45 degrees, otherwise light path distances for focusing screen and AF sensors are not equal with diistance to sensor. But the idea as whole is not very wise.. i'd be afraid that something might stick off and get caught in some fragile mechanic part like the shutter. Btw, i've observed that lens has a lot to do with how the camera sounds. Maybe some vibration dampening material around the mount can help.

12-25-2009, 04:05 AM	#5
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	not sure I would put duct tape inside a camera body. The reason is the adhesive on duct tape is AWFUL and will not only leave a residue you will likely never be able to remove w/o risking damage to the sensor but also as the tape deteriorates the fibers will begin to unravel causing who knows what other issues. Also, over time the adhesive dries out and will, not may, but will turn into a powder which will end up inducing dust into the body of the camera...Last under heat/warm conditions the adhesive in duct tape will soften and potentially move around. There is a reason camera makes do not use this sort of thing for sound dampening of the mirror slap. Not sure what they do in the K7 but it's not gonna be duct tape...hehehe...though Red Green would be proud of ya!! And even more important, you likely have completely voided your warranty. I hear ya as to WHY it was important to you to figure something out to dampen the slap...only there had to be other less harmful, more reversible, and less potentially harmful options...hope nothing eventually goes wrong or that you ever need to send the body in for warranty service because you might have boned yourself in that area...this is the sort of thing that puts me off buying a used body.

12-25-2009, 05:00 AM	#6
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	yea =/ i'd refrain from putting foreign objects in the camera near the sensor and the mirror... especially if it has the potential of leaving a sticky residue... i consider [D]SLR's to be precision equipment so i wouldnt mess with its workings...

12-25-2009, 07:03 AM	#7
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	Noisy are you kidding? The whole point of having a DSLR imho is for the distinct clicking noise it makes! Personally I find the shutter sound on the K-7 way too quiet for my tastes and would much prefer if it was louder like the K-X. I guess i'm strangely old fashioned for a 26 year old, but I like my shutters loud, I like my viewfinders analogue and I don't like shooting in program mode lol.

12-25-2009, 08:51 AM	#8
Nameles New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 19	I also enjoy the shutter sound of my K-x. Having said that, I can see that there are times when you'd want it to be quiet so as not to disturb others in certain situations however I will not be sticking any tape inside my new camera.

12-25-2009, 09:09 AM	#9
erickallemeyn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United States Posts: 112 Original Poster	Warranty? I don't need no stinkin warranty! I've actually done some focus tests (45* angle on a newspaper) and it's still spot on. No issues to speak of. A 16-50 DA* lens definitely helps with the noise too.

12-25-2009, 01:34 PM	#10
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	got your ID marked to never ever, EVER, buy any used gear from ya...hehehehe....but, hey, it's your cash so what the heck, HAVE FUN with it!!

12-26-2009, 09:27 PM	#11
Raptorman Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somewhere in VA Posts: 104	Absolutely retarded.

12-26-2009, 11:08 PM	#12
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	looks like the OP took his ball and went home. pics are gone too funny.

12-27-2009, 05:02 PM	#13
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by brecklundin looks like the OP took his ball and went home. pics are gone too funny. It's a pity that someone trying to achieve something is laughed at. He risked destroying his camera, so what?

12-27-2009, 05:49 PM	#14
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Originally posted by erickallemeyn Warranty? I don't need no stinkin warranty! I've actually done some focus tests (45* angle on a newspaper) and it's still spot on. No issues to speak of. A 16-50 DA* lens definitely helps with the noise too. Originally posted by ManuH It's a pity that someone trying to achieve something is laughed at. He risked destroying his camera, so what? Actually if your read the reply from the OP you can see he was either OK with the ribbing or just being a putz about it...I felt it was not a smart move but as i wrote, its his gear and what others think doesn't matter.

12-27-2009, 06:21 PM	#15
erickallemeyn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United States Posts: 112 Original Poster	My bad! I just took the pics down when I was cleaning up my web folders. I've still got them, but I suppose I'll leave them down now. Not like you guys are nice to me anyways! (camera's working fine, btw.)

K-x Silent Shutter Mod :)

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!