Gareth said:
I know my d700 sounds like a machine and my d300s sounds like a toy. just figured it was dx vs fx.

Agreed! Sometimes when I haven't used my 300s for a while, I'll take a shot and think it's broken, just because of the shutter sound. It's like it's about to flap off or something.

i miss the sound of my D3....everything else has sucked.

Hoping the D800 will sounds good?!

M.a.rs said:
Are camera makers able to manipulate the sound each camera makes?
Nikons sound more "aggressive" vs Canons "mechanical" sound.

Dear god you did not ask that one! ;) There are some interesting articles on Nikon's site on just how much goes into making sure the "Nikon sound" is correct. Canon does the same, Sony- well they didn't care until the sound of their first "big time" dslrs were passed on mainly due to the sound of the shutter (It was just awful). Leica has a particular sound from the M8 that users complained so much about, it was one of the major things they fixed for the M9 and M8 users could send their cameras in to have it changed. Hell my Fuji X100 comes with 3 customizable sounds.

Some people are really concerned about the "sound" of the shutter - to be honest, I never notice it.

If you set the D800 to quite-mode ( Q on the top left dial ) it sounds about as loud as my D90 ... if you leave it on S/CL/CH then it sounds a tiny bit more noisy. Definitely not a very silent camera.

Not that it makes any difference for what i shoot.

The d7000 has an unusually quick and quiet mirror, compared to other DSLR cameras I've heard.. The d800 could be similar.

OK, totally off topic here but since it came up...I once heard on National Public Radio a story about a scientific study that was done with expensive sports and muscle cars. Men gave blood samples and their testosterone levels were taken. Then, in different groups, they were made to listen to engine revving sounds from different cars. You name it, Porsche, Lamborghini, Corvette, Dodge Charger, Lotus, etc. we're used. After listeninging the men gave another blood sample. In the end, the engine sound of the Masariti Grand Tourismo caused the greatest elevation in testosterone levels in men.

Just wanted to share that, ha ha. Back on subject...I have noticed while standing near canon shooters that their shutter is a bit quieter but to the electronic side vs. the slap of the Nikon. Maybe they're going for aesthetics and Nikon is going for "heck with the sound, get that photo".

I usually just order what i can from Adorama - they ship to Japan and with the cheap USD it's just amazing how much you often can save.

I just found this out recently! The price difference in memory alone covers the cost of shipping and some.

Very interesting stuff. It reminds me of that movie The Dilemma (SPOILER) where they made an electric car sound like a muscle car.
How long till we can program our own shutter tones?!

There was a TV program here in the UK about a chap who was a consultant hired by - I think - McLaren just to engineer the sound of the exhausts on their supercar so yes, there is a marketing element to it, just like the right weight of the camera and feel of the controls.

I'd think that the bulk of the sound doesn't come from the shutter but from the mirror. Try mirror lockup and take a picture then.

Besides, Canons do sound differently. I wouldn't be surprised to hear there are actual sound engineers who worry about what a camera sounds like after you press the shutter release button.

Kitamura is great to go browse for used lenses and things. Picked up some old SB-28 flash for pocketchange a while ago ... not a big fan of their retail prices for new stuff though. I usually just order what i can from Adorama - they ship to Japan and with the cheap USD it's just amazing how much you often can save.

Without any actual first hand knowledge to back this up, I would expect different formats to sound quite different because of the difference in the size of the parts flailing around and also differing body materials from low end to high end. Frame rates and shutter life ratings need differing designs too of course.

Apart from that, I would expect different manufacturers to sound different because they are not as good as Nikon...... :-)

@Gareth. It actually was Osaka! I usual do my camera shopping in Kobe at a friends shop, but since I work in Umeda I try to pop into Yodobashi just to see their new toys. I'll give those shops a look though, thanks.

nahe888 said:
You may know the d800 is actually a Fx not a DX right ? :-)

I thought I made that clear by saying I've only ever owned DX and was surprised when I heard my first FX. But if not, there you go =)

which yodobashi were you in?

if it's the osaka one, go across the road to the camera naniwa (not the kitamura, which is next door. the best kitamura is in a very hard to find spot in the nanba underground). They have some cool used stuff in there. you should also try and find yaotomi, which is under osaka eki (JR). it's my favourite shop in osaka. i bought my 300 2.8 from there used for a very good price.

as for camera sounds, i'de say they just make the shutter and possibly dampen it a little if it's too loud. I know my d700 sounds like a machine and my d300s sounds like a toy. just figured it was dx vs fx.

You may know the d800 is actually a Fx not a DX right ? :-)

Just a random thought but...

I've only ever owned Nikon DX bodies until now and was pleasantly surprised when I took my first shot with my D800.

Also, today Yodobashi Camera (Shop) had a demo of the new mark III out.
I know many haven't had the chance to try both yet, but if you'd allow me to ask a noob question.
Even though both are full frame, they sound completely different, at least to me.
Are camera makers able to manipulate the sound each camera makes?
Nikons sound more "aggressive" vs Canons "mechanical" sound.