Quiet mode for sharper pictures

hark

Administrator
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Super Mod
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Good to know this. I returned my D600 because of oil on the sensor, but when I tried out the Quiet mode, I actually wondered why it was called Quiet. It was anything but! All I remember is that there were more clicks to it than when it was in its regular mode. I'll be sure to check mine out when I get a replacement because I want to use it to take theater photos, and I'll want it to be as quiet as it can possibly be.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Hopefully this should reassure some that are reluctant to get the 600 just for that fear. I had the same experience around the 3000 range.

3000 seams to be a magic number, my dust spots are not accumulating much anymore and never had oil issues.
 

Marcel

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The D600 user manual (p.83) actually recommmends Mirror up mode for this purpose, not quiet mode.


I know Rick that I wasn't using the best method to get a super sharp print. But I was just trying to show how the Quiet mode can improve our not so fast shutter speeds when we do have to hand hold the camera. Mirror up is great to, but to photograph people you loose sight for too long in my opinion. I have to admit that I had to use it a few times for my piano persons project when there was just not quite enough light.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I know Rick that I wasn't using the best method to get a super sharp print. But I was just trying to show how the Quiet mode can improve our not so fast shutter speeds when we do have to hand hold the camera. Mirror up is great to, but to photograph people you loose sight for too long in my opinion. I have to admit that I had to use it a few times for my piano persons project when there was just not quite enough light.

I was actually just wondering if there is really a difference in the outcome. Both hold the mirror up for a while and as you said, quiet mode has an advantage. I would also prefer Q over Mup, I'm assuming the results would be the same, which makes me wonder why Nikon does not just suggest Q.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I was actually just wondering if there is really a difference in the outcome. Both hold the mirror up for a while and as you said, quiet mode has an advantage. I would also prefer Q over Mup, I'm assuming the results would be the same, which makes me wonder why Nikon does not just suggest Q.

The quiet mode as far as I can see and feel is just raising the mirror slower so it does not hit it's stop point as fast. It then stays there until you start removing your finger from the shutter button. So it's actually reducing noise and vibration by slowing down the mirror and dividing the noisy (mirror movement>stops) in two parts.

But for tripod work, mirror up is the best, specially when using a remote and waiting a few seconds for the mirror shake to be spread into the body-tripod mass.

This is my view and if someone knows something I don't I would sure like to know.
 

clarnibass

Senior Member
Good to know this. I returned my D600 because of oil on the sensor, but when I tried out the Quiet mode, I actually wondered why it was called Quiet. It was anything but! All I remember is that there were more clicks to it than when it was in its regular mode.
I shoot mainly in very quiet concerts and the Q mode helps me. If you compare it with silence, it is definitely much louder :) In comparison wit hthe regular mode, it is noticiably quieter. It does devide the noise to two parts/clicks, which is another advantage for me. The first slightly louder click takes the photo when you press (quieter than the regular noise), then I can wait until a good moment to remove my finger for the rest of the noise. Only in louder parts that it doesn't disturb so much I imediately let go of my finger.
 

clarnibass

Senior Member
AFAIK there is a significant difference between Q mode and Mup mode. Q mode takes the photo when you press, only bringing the mirror back when you let go of the shutter button. The Mup mode raises the mirror first, but without taking the photo, then after about 25 seconds (more or less) takes the photo, or you can press the shutter button again to take the photo. I wish there was menu option to control this waiting time, but AFAIK there isn't.

So Q mode doesn't completely remove the vibration when taking the photo, it just makes reduces it. The Mup mode removes it (I think a few seconds is enough), but if you don't want to wait so long you have to press the shutter again which can cause some camera movement blur.

So what I do on a tripod is use a the Mup delay option from the menu. This is seperate from the Mup on the mode wheel. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 seconds delay, which I choose 3. Then I choose 2 or 5 seconds delay for the timer and use the timer mode. Then when I press the shutter, what happens is after my chosen wait (2 or 5 seconds) it raises the mirror, then after 3 more seconds it takes the photo. I found this to be enough time to practically remove vibrations form the mirror and any camera movement, and it saves a few seconds per shot.

It saves more time especially if I'm staying in the menu Mup delay option, since I don't have to bother with it. If I have to constantly change that mode on and off, it saves less time because moving the mode wheel to Mup and back is faster (only a couple of seconds though).

I hope this helps.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I'm going to run this experiment on my 5100 just to see what I get.

Thanks for posting this.

For the sharpest images on my D5100, when I have plenty of light, I shut of the VR. If I really want the sharpest I can get I put it on a tripod, live mode (mirror is up), and remote release. Makes a big difference on the D5100.
 
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