[D300S]: Borrowed idea --- but, a good one

<p>Here's what I saw in the D300S specs:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Imagine a scene where silence is essential, a school play, for example, or any situation where you don’t want your subject to be aware that you’re shooting, such as wildlife photography. Simply select “Q” on the release mode dial to reduce the sound of the camera’s mirror-down during shooting. You can lessen the sound of the shutter release, too, by keeping the shutter depressed after shooting, then moving the camera before releasing it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>This feature first surfaced in the early beginnings of the Leica M8 when owners were perplexed why the shutter of the new and first digital Leica-M rangefinder was so loud compared to the stealthy film-based M. Users started to discuss what Leica can do to improve the situation and out came the suggestion to allow one to hold on to the shutter release without re-cocking and only re-cock after the finger releases the button. It was introduced early this year to all M8 via firmware updates.</p>

<p>It is, indeed, nice to see Nikon implemented this idea, albeit borrowed, in the D300S. Bravo, Nikon!</p>

 

<p>Wasn't this also on the Nikon F4 "silent mode"?</p>

<p>If the silent mode in the F4 is the same as the F5, then we are talking about different parts of the feature. The silent mode in the F5 <em><strong>does not wait </strong> </em> for you to release your finger before the shutter re-cocks --- it just re-cocks it.</p>

<p>The Canon Elan II had a "silent mode" but I don't recall whether it was useful only for minimizing only film advance noise or if it influenced the mirror flip and shutter noise as well. The Konica Hexar cameras were considered stealthy, especially with the silent mode feature, but those lacked a flipping mirror.</p>

<p>Shutter/mirror noise is one reason I've often preferred film and digital P&S cameras to SLRs for photographing most performances. My Olympus P&S is the quietest camera I've ever used, and even the motorized zoom control is nearly silent when an aluminum barrel shroud is used. With SLRs and my D2H I've often had to use homemade blimps to photograph any performances other than rock music and some raucous school recitals.</p>

<p>I'm sure a lot of photographers would welcome a true silent mode with a dSLR. Last night I watched the "making of" extras features on the Aeon Flux DVD, one of which included the still photographer using his D1X with a Jacobson blimp, long the movie industry standard. Effective but bulky and awkward. Like most blimps, including my own homebrews, access is blocked to most camera controls.</p>

<p>Or some camera company could look over the 'old' Canon RT model EOS camera body.</p>

<p>The <em>semi-transparent mirror design</em> had <strong>no moving-mirror-flipping noise to deal with</strong>.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I believe that the original Nikon F w/ f36motor had this "silent" feature, so would predate the Leica M8's role as originator. I also have a Canon F1n with winder which winds the film and cocks the shutter only after the release of finger pressure.</p>

<p>D5000 also has the quiet shutter mode, very stealthy! </p>