Best shutter feel

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BMbikerider

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I have a Minolta XM (X1 in the USA) and the shutter is so smooth even with some background noise you don't hear it fire as well as it just lacks any vibration. Probably the quietest SLR I have ever used
 

guangong

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Staying with thread’s 35mm, while I appreciate the smooth swoosh of my Leica III and M cameras and the firm clunk of my Nikon F cameras, most satisfying is the firm click of a Contax IIa. Should mention the almost inaudible t’ of Rollie 35.
 

Theo Sulphate

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On my finger the soft fabric of my Exakta VX's focal plane shutter feels much nicer than the sharp metal blades of the leaf shutter on my Hasselblad 80/2.8 lens.
 

wy2l

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Nikon FM3A. Like a fine Swiss watch...
Worst: Pentax 67 II. Like a cannon, small children weep when the shutter is fired.
 
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Ixtl

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I tend to prefer quiet leaf shutters these days, like my GF670 which is so quiet I’m never quite sure that the shutter has released at all (unless I’m listening very carefully). But for cameras that actually sound like cameras, I’d pick my Spotmatic II. Maybe it’s just because it’s been around my whole life, but for my money it just sounds like what a camera should sound like. And for pure loudness I’d pick the 645n, with its very satisfying “ka-thunk WHIRRRRRRR!” There is no mistaking that. Everyone knows what you’re up to when they hear that.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Hey folks,

Just wondering, what would you say is the camera with the best shutter sound and feel?

I haven't owned a lot, but for me, it's the Pentax K1000. The Olympus Pen F was very close, though, and when I'm in the mood, the Bronica SQ-A is also immensely satisfying.

I prefer the Pentax shutter over the one in the Nikon FM2n, although the latter is a vastly better camera.

The worst I feel, is the Canonet QL17. It's so quiet and non-communicative, that when someone takes a picture with it, they look at the front of the camera with a puzzled look as if it's broken. It isn't, it takes beautiful pictures, but it doesn't inspire.

So what about you guys? Any personal favourites?
to me, it is the Hasselblad 500V series without a doubt!
 
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Manual release cameras are usually better feeling than electronic cameras. Leica of course is really nice, and they all get nicer if you mount a soft release on them. Butter. The Canon 7 I used to have was smooth too. That said, electronic cameras like the Canon 1n are more accurate because you have an instant release. Still, I prefer all manual cameras.

As far as shutter sound goes, the Zorki 5 I have (yes you read that right!) that was completely rebuilt with underwound shutter springs makes the nicest little thwack. Less than half the noise of the M3 I have. Barely ever use it though.
 

Paul Howell

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Best, by best I mean smoothest release mechanical shutter Alpa 11, best electronic, the Nikon F3 was good, of my current cameras, Minolta 9.
 

Cholentpot

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The thunder of my Bronica S2. Scares kids and small animals.

I have a ProMaster PK Super something or another, it has a great crunch when tripped.
 

Lee Rust

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Aside from the Leicas and all, I rather like the quiet clunk of the rotary shutter in the Univex Mercury II.
 

Alan Gales

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The thunder of my Bronica S2. Scares kids and small animals.

I have a ProMaster PK Super something or another, it has a great crunch when tripped.

A very good friend gave me a deal on a Bronica EC. The first time I shot it I thought I broke it. Man was it loud! Great camera and lenses though. :D
 

Cholentpot

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A very good friend gave me a deal on a Bronica EC. The first time I shot it I thought I broke it. Man was it loud! Great camera and lenses though. :D

You can see the fear in the eyes of the kids after development. If it's a boy between the age of 7-120 you see the glee and joy.
 

film_man

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Leica R8. Probably the smoothest for an SLR I've every had. The Mamiya RB67 also has a very smooth release and sound, you can hardly feel it. The Hasselblad EL bodies are also cool, the mechanical thunk plus the motor whirring afterwards, almost like a steampunk-like contraption.
 

BradS

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Best: Pentax Spotmatic
Worst: Yashica FX-3 super 2000
 

Ko.Fe.

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HCB compared it to the kiss. Any Leica RF after CLA. Shutter cocking, film advance and release. And after sound of low speed gear.
 

Theo Sulphate

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Hmmm... I've just had one of my M3's CLA'd by Youxin and while it is indeed smooth and perfect, I've had more than a few kisses that would easily make me surrender any camera.
 

Scott Micciche

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My Nikon F2, after recent service from Sover, has a clean, crisp break and "click".
 
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