Quiet Pentax film camera

poppaneedsanap · 10-04-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The shutter is very similar. Be prepared for a noise-fest.

Steve

dang... well... while I'd love to have a quiet cam for stealthy drunk wife photography, I'm mostly buying it just to have a second body around with different stock in it

stevebrot · 10-04-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by poppaneedsanap

for stealthy drunk wife photography

Careful...what goes around comes around...

Steve

tromboads · 10-04-2012, 04:11 PM

Drunk wife photography. How come there isn't a sub forum for that?

John Poirier · 10-04-2012, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Domenico

Hello, I know this question could sound a bit odd to somebody, but noise is an issue for me. My mx is not that noisy, but its "stonk" could be somehow disturbing every now and then.
I had the occasion to play with a Contax Aria and a Contax rtsII and I remember they were really quiet. Has Pentax ever produced something like these ones?
Thanks

Not such an odd question. There are times when shutter noise can be a problem.

I agree with others that the ME Super is the quietest Pentax shutter I've come across.

The quietest K-mount SLR I've seen myself is the Chinon CE-4s, which is fairly similar to the ME Super in terms of age and specs.

I have both and just fired them. The Chinon is definitely quieter, in particular because its sound does not have a metallic ring that can be obvious with the ME Super.

Note that there can be variations between examples of a given model, I think largely depending on how they were last serviced. For example, I have 3 MXs, and they are quite different from one another. They range from slightly louder than the ME Super to much louder.

I have a vague memory that the Chinon noise level is similar to the original Contax RTS, but cannot comment on later models.

I'll add that I think the CE-4 and its siblings are pretty nice cameras. In my view the CE-4 has a better viewfinder display than the ME Super, and it has DOF preview. I bought my first in 1980. It gave good service for about 15 years under tough conditions. Got another cheaply not long ago for nostalgic reasons, and I still like it.

LesDMess · 10-05-2012, 05:06 AM

I've been considering testing the sound levels coming from cameras for sometime now but has anyone conducted one yet?

To be sure, everyone's hearing range and levels can very greatly and if you have ever had your hearing tested, you may be amazed at the results and the answers here - as well as my own opinion, is a good indication of that.

poppaneedsanap · 10-05-2012, 04:08 PM

ME Super is definitely quieter or has less high-end snap than the Super Program.

I might throw the SPL app on and see what it registers at.

As someone pointed out, it may not be quieter but is more muffled/deadened..

poppaneedsanap · 10-05-2012, 04:09 PM - **1 Like**

the ME Super actually makes a 'Plop' sound!

plop!

stevebrot · 10-05-2012, 06:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by poppaneedsanap

ME Super is definitely quieter or has less high-end snap than the Super Program.

I might throw the SPL app on and see what it registers at.

As someone pointed out, it may not be quieter but is more muffled/deadened..

Originally posted by poppaneedsanap

the ME Super actually makes a 'Plop' sound!

plop!

My Super-Program goes shaaPlump and is significantly louder than either of my Spotties (they go shhhaaamff except for the low speeds where it is shhaaamff...riki...riki..riki). My Ricoh XR-2s has a solid two-note clunk that is very similar to the Nikon FE (they share Copal electro-mechanical shutters). My noisiest focal-plane shutter camera is a Ricoh Singlex TLS. The original Copal Square shutter in that body could wake the dead with its metallic clunk!

It would be sort of interesting to make a series of mp3 of the different shutter noises, though I do not have the gear.

Steve

womble · 10-06-2012, 01:38 AM

Unlike the LX which makes a very distinct kerr-chingggggg... sort of noise. Very distinctive shutter sound compared to my other Pentaxes.

K.

LesDMess · 10-07-2012, 07:38 AM

I commend the descriptive representations of camera sounds here!

Here is one for the Pentax KX 1/30 http://www.fototime.com/D53C47F9A8983D9/convx264.mp4
Pentax KX 1 sec http://www.fototime.com/7529FA8A2C7AB4B/convx264.mp4

Capturing the 1 sec shutter seems appropriate but I'm wondering if it is better to capture the sound at sync speed as a reference?

stevebrot · 10-07-2012, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

I commend the descriptive representations of camera sounds here!

Here is one for the Pentax KX 1/30 http://www.fototime.com/D53C47F9A8983D9/convx264.mp4
Pentax KX 1 sec http://www.fototime.com/7529FA8A2C7AB4B/convx264.mp4

Capturing the 1 sec shutter seems appropriate but I'm wondering if it is better to capture the sound at sync speed as a reference?

It would be interesting to compare slow vs. fast speeds as well. 1/60s and above use a different mechanism.

Steve

jesssss · 10-07-2012, 10:27 AM

Maybe you could marry an old film back to the front of a K-01?

**TomB_tx** · 10-07-2012, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by womble

Unlike the LX which makes a very distinct kerr-chingggggg... sort of noise. Very distinctive shutter sound compared to my other Pentaxes.

Part of the LX sound is the foil shutter used instead of cloth. It is more similar to the Canon F1 and Nikon X - which both used titanium foil.

LesDMess · 10-07-2012, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It would be interesting to compare slow vs. fast speeds as well. 1/60s and above use a different mechanism.
Steve

On some cameras, you can't judge the shutter speed based on shutter speed.

From previous pop photo magazine testing setup, I know I need a means of capturing the audio without audio level control to ensure the proper levels are represented. Also need to setup a proper audio chamber to minimize external influence. Unfortunately, as good a condition as my cameras are, I can't say they are in original factory condition and this may be an improper representation.

Sluggo · 10-07-2012, 04:47 PM - **1 Like**

If I may be permitted to summarize the thread so far:

stonk, slap, flip, clang, ring, snap, plop, shhhaaamff, shhaaamff...riki...riki..riki, clunk, kerr-chingggggg!

This is just for the benefit of anyone joining us late. Carry on.

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10-04-2012, 03:09 PM	#16
poppaneedsanap Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 72	Originally posted by stevebrot The shutter is very similar. Be prepared for a noise-fest. Steve dang... well... while I'd love to have a quiet cam for stealthy drunk wife photography, I'm mostly buying it just to have a second body around with different stock in it

10-04-2012, 03:16 PM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by poppaneedsanap for stealthy drunk wife photography Careful...what goes around comes around... Steve

10-04-2012, 04:11 PM	#18
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	Drunk wife photography. How come there isn't a sub forum for that?

10-04-2012, 11:46 PM	#19
John Poirier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gabriola Island Posts: 619	Originally posted by Domenico Hello, I know this question could sound a bit odd to somebody, but noise is an issue for me. My mx is not that noisy, but its "stonk" could be somehow disturbing every now and then. I had the occasion to play with a Contax Aria and a Contax rtsII and I remember they were really quiet. Has Pentax ever produced something like these ones? Thanks Not such an odd question. There are times when shutter noise can be a problem. I agree with others that the ME Super is the quietest Pentax shutter I've come across. The quietest K-mount SLR I've seen myself is the Chinon CE-4s, which is fairly similar to the ME Super in terms of age and specs. I have both and just fired them. The Chinon is definitely quieter, in particular because its sound does not have a metallic ring that can be obvious with the ME Super. Note that there can be variations between examples of a given model, I think largely depending on how they were last serviced. For example, I have 3 MXs, and they are quite different from one another. They range from slightly louder than the ME Super to much louder. I have a vague memory that the Chinon noise level is similar to the original Contax RTS, but cannot comment on later models. I'll add that I think the CE-4 and its siblings are pretty nice cameras. In my view the CE-4 has a better viewfinder display than the ME Super, and it has DOF preview. I bought my first in 1980. It gave good service for about 15 years under tough conditions. Got another cheaply not long ago for nostalgic reasons, and I still like it.

10-05-2012, 05:06 AM	#20
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	I've been considering testing the sound levels coming from cameras for sometime now but has anyone conducted one yet? To be sure, everyone's hearing range and levels can very greatly and if you have ever had your hearing tested, you may be amazed at the results and the answers here - as well as my own opinion, is a good indication of that.

10-05-2012, 04:08 PM	#21
poppaneedsanap Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 72	ME Super is definitely quieter or has less high-end snap than the Super Program. I might throw the SPL app on and see what it registers at. As someone pointed out, it may not be quieter but is more muffled/deadened..

10-05-2012, 04:09 PM - 1 Like	#22
poppaneedsanap Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 72	the ME Super actually makes a 'Plop' sound! plop!

10-05-2012, 06:52 PM - 1 Like	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by poppaneedsanap ME Super is definitely quieter or has less high-end snap than the Super Program. I might throw the SPL app on and see what it registers at. As someone pointed out, it may not be quieter but is more muffled/deadened.. Originally posted by poppaneedsanap the ME Super actually makes a 'Plop' sound! plop! My Super-Program goes shaaPlump and is significantly louder than either of my Spotties (they go shhhaaamff except for the low speeds where it is shhaaamff...riki...riki..riki). My Ricoh XR-2s has a solid two-note clunk that is very similar to the Nikon FE (they share Copal electro-mechanical shutters). My noisiest focal-plane shutter camera is a Ricoh Singlex TLS. The original Copal Square shutter in that body could wake the dead with its metallic clunk! It would be sort of interesting to make a series of mp3 of the different shutter noises, though I do not have the gear. Steve

10-06-2012, 01:38 AM	#24
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Unlike the LX which makes a very distinct kerr-chingggggg... sort of noise. Very distinctive shutter sound compared to my other Pentaxes. K.

10-07-2012, 07:38 AM	#25
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	I commend the descriptive representations of camera sounds here! Here is one for the Pentax KX 1/30 http://www.fototime.com/D53C47F9A8983D9/convx264.mp4 Pentax KX 1 sec http://www.fototime.com/7529FA8A2C7AB4B/convx264.mp4 Capturing the 1 sec shutter seems appropriate but I'm wondering if it is better to capture the sound at sync speed as a reference?

10-07-2012, 09:42 AM	#26
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by LesDMess I commend the descriptive representations of camera sounds here! Here is one for the Pentax KX 1/30 http://www.fototime.com/D53C47F9A8983D9/convx264.mp4 Pentax KX 1 sec http://www.fototime.com/7529FA8A2C7AB4B/convx264.mp4 Capturing the 1 sec shutter seems appropriate but I'm wondering if it is better to capture the sound at sync speed as a reference? It would be interesting to compare slow vs. fast speeds as well. 1/60s and above use a different mechanism. Steve

10-07-2012, 10:27 AM	#27
jesssss Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Appalachia Posts: 55	Maybe you could marry an old film back to the front of a K-01?

10-07-2012, 10:46 AM	#28
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Originally posted by womble Unlike the LX which makes a very distinct kerr-chingggggg... sort of noise. Very distinctive shutter sound compared to my other Pentaxes. Part of the LX sound is the foil shutter used instead of cloth. It is more similar to the Canon F1 and Nikon X - which both used titanium foil.

10-07-2012, 02:44 PM	#29
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by stevebrot It would be interesting to compare slow vs. fast speeds as well. 1/60s and above use a different mechanism. Steve On some cameras, you can't judge the shutter speed based on shutter speed. From previous pop photo magazine testing setup, I know I need a means of capturing the audio without audio level control to ensure the proper levels are represented. Also need to setup a proper audio chamber to minimize external influence. Unfortunately, as good a condition as my cameras are, I can't say they are in original factory condition and this may be an improper representation.

10-07-2012, 04:47 PM - 1 Like	#30
Sluggo Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 774	If I may be permitted to summarize the thread so far: stonk, slap, flip, clang, ring, snap, plop, shhhaaamff, shhaaamff...riki...riki..riki, clunk, kerr-chingggggg! This is just for the benefit of anyone joining us late. Carry on.