Does the Bell & Howell Foton rapid-advance camera really sound like an
ancient mechanical adding machine? Could the firing of a Minox
subminiature shutter blow a spy's cover? Listen to the clicks, whirs and
whines of these and other great classical cameras.
Tools and Our Senses
Hand tools are sensual objects. A well-designed tool integrates with our
senses uniting tool and worker as one. Whether a
tool is used to cook a meal, build a home, repair a car, take a photograph, our
senses connect us with our tools. A carpenter's eyes watch the cutting edge of a power saw, ears know if the
motor is straining, hands sense resistance in the cut, odors warn if the blade is
burning the wood.
A well-made camera should be capable of taking clear, sharp, properly exposed
photographs. But beyond image quality, the superior camera needs to feel
right in the hand; to have the proper balance, size, weight, and even
appearance. Cameras used in candid photography should not be conspicuous
in operation. Many professional photographers prefer black camera bodies,
thinking they are less noticeable than chrome plated cameras. Controls
should be capable of adjustment with a minimum of fuss and distraction.
There are certainly a variety of criteria we can use to judge one camera superior to
another, more intuitive in operation and more suitable to a given task.
For many photographers, sound level is an important consideration. A
number of photographic situations are benefited by the use of a quiet camera.
Examples include candid, child, pet, wildlife, portrait, detective photography
and certain social gatherings. Sound level might not be an issue for many
sporting events, or in landscape, scenic, industrial, still-life studio,
commercial, architectural photography or snapshots.
Leica cameras have a long-standing reputation of being among the quietest in
their class and are often purchased for just this reason. Acceptable sound
levels are relative to a camera's function and operating environment. The
Foton was a loud and noisy camera, but its high speed motor drive was a solid
performer.
Comfort
While sound level can be an important factor to consider when choosing a
camera, camera sounds have another less obvious aspect. The sound a camera
makes when fired gives us important feedback. Many of us have
subconsciously learned the sounds our cameras make when all is well. If we
don't hear that reassuring click, we suspect we've lost the shot.
Artificial Sound
With the exception of the digital SLR, digital
cameras are silent in operation. I find it interesting that so many
digital cameras have an option to make a sound as the picture is taken. Some of these cameras
mimic the sound of a mechanical camera shutter.
The Fun Part
The truth is, I had fun recording the clicks and clacks of these vintage
cameras. And listening and comparing the various cameras was
surprisingly entertaining.
What To Do
Use the audio player to hear a camera, click the thumbnail to view a camera's Web page.
The cameras are more or less, according to my ear, arranged from quietest to
loudest down the page. To compare the sounds of different cameras, I
suggest you start with the Expo Watch camera. Adjust your volume, and keep
that volume setting as you listen to other cameras.
Expo Watch camera - instantaneous shutter speed. A disguised camera should be quiet.
Minox IIIS - shutter speed 1/50 second. A spy camera should be quiet.
Nikon S3 - shutter speed 1/60 second. A typical 35mm focal-plane shutter rangefinder camera. It shouldn't startle the family dog.
Ensignette No. 2 - shutter speed: 1/40 second. Equipped with a self-cocking leaf-shutter.
Graph-Check Sequence Camera - shutter interval 5 (intermediate). Eight shutters!
No. 1 Panoram Kodak - fast shutter speed. Do you hear a bongo?
Robot Junior - shutter speed 1/50 second. First sound is the quiet shutter. Second sound is the film advance. The squeal
may indicate dry lubricant. Still, not as loud as the Foton.
Bell & Howell Foton - shutter speed 1/50 second, single exposure.
Bell & Howell Foton - shutter speed: 1/50 second, five exposures in repeat mode.
Page created January 13, 2003; updated December 20, 2020
