I have an M2 and M3. I just got the M2 back from a full revision and the shutter sounds normal. The M3 sounds almost the same. Normally I owuld be happy with it. But when I listen to my friend's brand new M6 TTL his sounds much more quieter! Any ideas why?

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), August 28, 2001

Answers

The design of all M-Leica’s shutters is identical. The quiet shutter sound depends on how accurate the shutter was adjusted: the tension of the main springs, and the 1st curtain’s brakes. The tension of the main springs must be minimal but sufficient to guarantee a 16- millisecond speed of the curtains and to activate the slow speed governor. For accurate adjusting it’s important to catch the moment when the brakes almost fully dampers the first curtain while the slow speed governor is working yet at 1 sec.

-- Victor Randin (ved@enran.com.ua), August 28, 2001.

I just bought an M2, and everything about it is noisier than my M4-2-- shutter and film winding, both. I was wondering if different materials in the top plate and body covering could make the difference. The M4-2 almost sounds as if it was lined with felt, whereas the older one sounds much more like a piece of machinery. Exactly the same sounds are there, but louder and harsher in the M2.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), August 28, 2001.

This is pretty interesting because I have two M2s, an M3 and two M6TTLs and the shutter noise from all of them sound and feel the same to me. With my eyes closed I can not tell any of them apart.

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), August 28, 2001.

Strange. My M4 is much quiter than my M6 classic or dual stroke M3. I mean, they are all darn quiet, but the M4 is the clear winner in the "shhh" department.

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), August 28, 2001.

I think this variation in sound is due in part to when the last CLA was performed and by whom. If you test a few M2/M3/M4/M6's side by side at a dealer, there is variation in sound independent of the model number. My M3 has been my benchmark for quietness. My M6 became nearly as quiet when it got a CLA last year. At the time, Sherry Krauter mentioned that M6's tend to be sold "drier" than what we are used to after a CLA. Also, the different materials in the M6 give it a little different sound signature from the M2/M3/M4--are you sure your friend's M6 is actually quieter, or does it just sound different?

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), August 29, 2001.

My two M3's (1955 DS and 1961 SS) are both quieter than my year 2000 M6 TTL. Both M3's were CLA'd by Leica USA this year. I assume the shutter mechanism for the M6 is different in terms of materials and design from the ones used in the M3................................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), August 29, 2001.

It may "sound" kind of obvious, but I've noticed my cameras are quietest at the sync setting - 1/50. I don't know why this should be true especially, but it's just slightly noticeable with both M4-x bodies.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), August 29, 2001.

I have m2m3m6. they all sound different! My M6 is not yet even 1 year old but its definitely the quitest.They all feel different as well, winding and shooting.The results are all the same,outstanding.

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), August 29, 2001.

Andy, I have an M6ttl and I agree with you. It seems quieter at 1/50 than any other speed.

-- jeff voorhees (debontekou@yahoo.com), August 29, 2001.

When I bought my M4, there was also an M2 and an M6 in the case...pricing issues aside I went for the M4 as it was the quietest and smoothest of the three...though it's not like any of them were exactly deafening...

-- Craig Zeni (clzeni@mindspring.com), August 29, 2001.

As I said in my orginal question: the strange thing is I just got back my M2 from a full "revision" from Leica. And I trust they did a good job. So that still leaves the question of why my friend's new M6 ttl's sound quieter! baaaa. Now I am thinking of having to buy one of these new fangled battery sucking Ms...

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), August 30, 2001.

I compared my M6 classic to my just-CLA'd (by John van Stelton) M2. At shutter speeds from 1/8 to 1/125, the M2 has a noticeably brighter sound. That is, it contains more higher-frequency overtones compared to the M6. The M6 sound is a bit duller by comparison, but not quieter. The M2 sound is a "click"; the M6, a "cluck". Pretty much the same volume, but a different timbre.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), August 30, 2001.

Well, everyone seems to have a different story :-).

I just had both an M3 and an M6 Classic CLA'd by Sherry Krauter. The M6 came back quiter and smoother than before the CLA, but the M3 definitely had a smoother film advance and quiter shutter than the M6.

As always, YMMV.

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), August 30, 2001.

I have used both an M3 (double stroke) and an M6 which I purchased new about four years ago. It seems to me the shutter sound with the M6 is "softer". Not really a click, more of a wooooooosh! Does anyone hear the same or is it time for me to visit the audiologist once again?

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), August 31, 2001.

I own four diferent bodies, well diferent in their conditions, let me explain, an almost new M4P (no more than 50 rolls through it), a M4P just CLA by Krauter (a nice work), a M3 SS just overhouled by Leica USA, and a very beat up M3 DS; the quietest of this is the overhouled M3, and both M4P sound quite the same, just M4P have a more "metalic" sound, wile M3 is more silky. M3 DS has a quiter winding sound quiter. M4P´s have a harsher winding feel.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

In order to do a scientific comparison, the two shutters should be released in close succession, because the brain does not retain the impression of the sound for very long. Also the effects of extraneous variables must be controlled for. Releasing the two shutters in quick succession calls for holding one camera in the left hand, the other in the right. However, this necessarily involves using a different grip on each camera. This in itself will alter the sound, since the pressure of the hand exerts a damping effect on the vibrations, which will differ a bit with the different grip of the two hands. We could place the cameras on a table, but the drumming effect of the table-top would add its own sound, confounding the experiment. It would also introduce a condition not present during hand-holding. We probably mostly care about the sound during hand- holding. The difference in sound between left and right might also be influenced by hearing differences left and right; and by room acoustics.

So what to do? Use an A-B-B-A method like scientists do. First fire camera A in the left hand, and B in the right. Then exchange cameras and fire again. This will help to cancel out the extraneous variables. Ask a friend to be the judge.

Alternative: load up one of the Leicas and go take some pictures!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), August 31, 2001.