Silencing the shutter?

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gaz_jameison

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Gary
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Hi all. Is there any way to silence the shutter on a D3100? For the simple reason that I want to take pictures of people without them knowing! :D Can't see anything about it in the manual...
 
Or the more expensive option would be to by a long telephoto lens. Then you can take photos of people from a distance, so they will not hear the shutter :0)
 
There is a quiet shutter release mode on your camera it is the Q symbol on your release mode switch. May not do exactly what you want but according to the blurb

Quiet Shutter-release is similar to normal Single Frame mode, but with some changes made to reduce operation noise. The D3100's Quiet Shutter-release mode automatically disables the beep sound when the camera focuses, something which can be achieved in other modes through the Beep option in the Setup menu. It also delays lowering of the mirror until the shutter button is released, separating the noise of this operation from that of the mirror being raised and the shutter fired. It also reduces actuation speed of the mirror mechanism, and of the shutter recocking mechanism.
 
only take photos of deaf people or use a pinhole camera :D
 
WillNicholls said:
Bit judgemental when you don't know the reasons behind people not being able to hear...
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Check the OP and you will see it says "knowing" not "hearing" the purpose of silencing the camera in this case seems to be for covert shooting (creepy) and not silent shooting (normal) if it is for silent shooting at an event such as the theater and you don't want the clack clack clack of a mirror flapping then yeah that's cool.
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Or the more expensive option would be to by a long telephoto lens. Then you can take photos of people from a distance, so they will not hear the shutter :0)
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You mean that you can't take full frame pictures of people from 200 yards away with an 18-55mm like they do in the police drama's?
 
I don't see the issue with what the OP is asking. He wants to be a bit covert - so what? You flash people in the face, going by your post in another thread.... that's just as intrusive and odd IMO.

OP - quiet shutter mode should help to an extent. It's a nice feature, although I've only seen it in action on a D300s. :)
 
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the quiet feature on my D7000 is nice and quiet, i hate the lag it creates though :lol: its only recently i've noticed just how quiet it is in normal shooting anyway in comparison to my newly acquired d200.

Alternatively, use a phone camera and turn the "camera shutter" noise off :lol:
 
specialman said:
WillNicholls - I don't see the issue with what the OP is asking. He wants to be a bit covert - so what? You flash people in the face, going by your post in another thread.... that's just as intrusive and odd IMO.

OP - quiet shutter mode should help to an extent. It's a nice feature, although I've only seen it in action on a D300s. :)
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There is a big difference between what i do and sneaking shots of people! How do we know this silent shooting is required for kosher reasons? And not something more sinister? We don't know so Until the OP comes clean with the reason why then i will think what i like thanks. And to me, shooting covert within earshot is a little creepy and i can't think of any real world applications where you need a totally silent camera.(edit, other than my aforementioned reason) The OP also added an exclamation mark at the end of the request which raises an eyebrow.
 
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For the record, you'd need a totally silent camera on-set when shooting stills for a movie. But then, as Jayst84 has pointed out, you'd use a blimp for that.

I take it you think the OP is doing something dodgy then? Have a bit of faith.....

Also, I wouldn't take the inclusion of an exclamation mark as meaning anything - the grammar on forums is well-documented as being pretty poor at the best of times....
 
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I'll bet this is for the purpose of street photography and nothing more.
 
Well, yes everyone is allowed their own opinion. Don't tell me you haven't at least thought what the OP would be doing with a silent camera? Be it good or bad. Now, i haven't given any examples, i have just aired my opinion. I am guessing its for street shooting but who knows? But even then i still find it sneaky.
 
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Jayst84 said:
Buy a Soundblimp. ;)
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At these prices!:eek:

" SOUND BLIMPS
PRICE LIST 2011


ALL THE NEW BLIMPS HAVE WINDOWS FOR THE LCD SCREENS

DIGITAL NIKON (full size) D3, D3s, D3x DIGITAL NIKON (compact)* D700, D300, D200 -
$1000
DIGITAL CANON (full size) 1Dmark4, 1Dmark3, 1Dmark2 DIGITAL CANON (compact)* 5Dmark2, 7D, 5D, 50D, 40D, 30D - $1000 "
 
andy1868 said:
Alternatively, use a phone camera and turn the "camera shutter" noise off :lol:
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I don't think you can down to legalities in some countries. Mostly due to less than savoury shots taken without the subjects knowledge
 
boyfalldown said:
I don't think you can down to legalities in some countries. Mostly due to less than savoury shots taken without the subjects knowledge
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NB the above only a comment on the reasons for this. Nothing more
 
I have seen peli cases adapted and stuffed with foam for this purpose, theater, movie stills, music performances. That to me is absolutely fine. But like mentioned before, there may be an unsavory reason for this. And as the OP still hasn't given us a reason, the suspicion is still there. Sorry, but it is.
 
^ He hasn't logged on since posting this, so don't send the old bill round just yet.
 
I'd like my shutter to shut up when taking bird shots in the garden, I only have a 200mm so the shutter noise does frighten them off

ain't gonna happen tho - just hope they become used to it :lol:
 
Simon photo said:
I have seen peli cases adapted and stuffed with foam for this purpose, theater, movie stills, music performances. That to me is absolutely fine. But like mentioned before, there may be an unsavory reason for this. And as the OP still hasn't given us a reason, the suspicion is still there. Sorry, but it is.
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not heard of candid shots?
 
Going on the assumption that the OP is shooting candid/street photography and doesn't have a dungeon in his basement :), it may be worth learning some misdirection techniques to help keep your subjects unaware.
 
As far as I can make out, there are three reasons for silencing a shutter:
  1. Theatre type work where any extraneous sound is unwelcome;
  2. Being less intrusive with street photography - but a DSLR and being within earshot (c.5m or less) isn't very stealthy to start with; or
  3. Hidden cameras in compromisig positions where absolute silence is critical so the subject isn't aware you've taken the shot.

It's probably a badly phrased question and option (2) applies, no.. it is a badly phrased question and it is worded as thought he's thinking about option (3).

If you can't cope with people knowing you've taken their photo, perhaps street photography is not your thing. If you want a quieter shutter get a small rangefinder - quieter and more discreet.
 
Get a superzoom bridge camera and turn the shutter sound off. Dead quiet from far away, you can do all the stealth shooting you want.
 
neil_g said:
not heard of candid shots?
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Why yes of course, but your out in the street, location, wherever, stuff is going on, you raise your camera, clack! the job is done. You were silent until you tripped the shutter. So the only difference is if your subject noticed or not.and in this case the photographer doesn't want the subject to know which i see as pointless because if you were unnoticed before the shot and noticed after it makes no difference if you were quiet or not. Whether your camera is loud or quiet the whole process of taking a picture with said, nikon 3100 won't be a stealthy affair and pretty bloody obvious!
In my eyes, if your obviously taking photographs then people obviously know what your doing and half the battle has been won. If your in stealth mode and then get caught out the repercussions would be much worse. To add, people usually put their guard up when they see a camera, so won't be too surprised when they hear it going off. So silent or not it would need to be concealed for any sort of success in keeping your subjects oblivious to what your doing. That's even creepier!
 
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Alastair said:
As far as I can make out, there are three reasons for silencing a shutter:
  1. Theatre type work where any extraneous sound is unwelcome;
  2. Being less intrusive with street photography - but a DSLR and being within earshot (c.5m or less) isn't very stealthy to start with; or
  3. Hidden cameras in compromisig positions where absolute silence is critical so the subject isn't aware you've taken the shot.
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There's certainly at least a number 4, and the reason I bought a "quieter" camera, and that is taking photos of infants, or any subject predisposed to nervousness. My little one developed a wee phobia about camera noise to the point that he'd flinch if you pointed a camera at him. Now sorted!:) (Phew!)
 
davek said:
There's certainly at least a number 4, and the reason I bought a "quieter" camera, and that is taking photos of infants, or any subject predisposed to nervousness. My little one developed a wee phobia about camera noise to the point that he'd flinch if you pointed a camera at him. Now sorted!:) (Phew!)
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I think that's a variation of point (1).. but.. oh well, nevermind.
 
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Thanks for all the replies, I'm in stitches laughing here! :)

Yeah I've tried the quiet shutter release thingy but too be honest I don't notice any difference at all. The only reason I even thought there might be a 'silent' option is that an old phone I had had the option to make the camera silent, so I just assumed the D3100 would as well.

Now, as for my INTENTION! :lol:

The most interesting photos I see are those of people who are completely unaware there is a camera anywhere near them. Candid shots of people doing whatever it is they are immersed in (including but most definitely not restricted to street photography) are probably my favourite types of photographs. That's why I wanted to know about a 'silent mode.'

95 times out of 100, the photos I take are of family and friends - people I know and don't even have to comtemplate asking permission. It's not about permission or anything like that - it's just the ability of capturing someone 'in their element' without them knowing. They're invariably going to see it later anyway.

If that comes across as creepy to any of you then I make no apologies, I don't see anything wrong with it whatsoever. It's not like I'm hiding in a dark corner in the women's changing rooms in the local swimming pool or something! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Jayst84 said:
Buy a Soundblimp. ;)
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Ahh, is that what this is...

DSC_1524.jpg


I was wondering :D
 
A simple appology for pre judging the OP would just be common courtesy would it not? :shrug:
 
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