Two Z9s - different sounds at switch on & off

[Front Yard & Washhouse]

While setting up two Z9 bodies and having so far opted for sensor blinds to close on switch off, I'm noticing that one of the bodies is considerably noisier than the other - one makes a quiet click and the other is quite loud. I expect there is a simple explanation but I can't figure out what it is. I daresay I'll find it's to do with some other setting that I haven't kept in parity while exploring the camera options but, as there are so many, any pointers would be appreciated.

My assumption is that the noise created by the sensor blinds (if that is what it is) is a real sound, as opposed to the optional imitation mechanical sounds when the all-electronic shutter makes an 'exposure'. Another thought if it helps troubleshooting ideas is that it has something to do with IBIS; whatever it is, I also notice some quite similar sounds when moving between certain menu items.

I am used to Nikon cameras but the Z9 is a big step on even from cameras like the D-single digits that I used in the past so any help gratefully received.

This looks to be a great forum and I'm pleased to have just discovered it.

 

[DRwyoming]

Can only guess as to what you’re hearing, but there’s two mechanical sounds you might expect to hear on startup and shutdown of a Z9. One is the shutter shield if it’s enabled and the other is the sensor mechanism docking into unlocked or locked position if you have IBIS enabled or are using a lens with VR and it’s own VR switch and that switch is on (which also enables IBIS).

If you do have IBIS/VR enabled you’ll hear the sensor undocking or docking sound every time the camera comes out of or into standby mode or when you actively turn VR or IBIS on or off. The sensor shield sound will only happen when the camera turns on or off if the automatic sensor shield at power off is enabled.

So if one Z9 has a VR lens mounted with the lens VR switch turned on and the other camera does not or if neither lens has VR but IBIS is enabled on one camera and not on the other then you’d expect different mechanical sounds at startup and shutdown between them.

It’s pretty easy to check. If you have a lens with a VR switch then turn the camera on and turn the lens VR switch on and off a few times and listen to the sound of the sensor undocking and docking a few times. If your lenses don’t have VR switches then use the menu to turn IBIS on and off a few times and listen to that noise. It’s different than the sensor shield mechanical noise but both happen at initial startup and then again at shutdown if both auto sensor shield and IBIS/VR are enabled.

 

[Front Yard & Washhouse]

Thank you. Using your answer I have tracked down the source of the different sounds. As still in the set up stage no lenses have yet been mounted but, yes, it is IBIS-related. One camera had it enabled in sport mode and the other had it turned off. (Additionally but maybe irrelevant some non-CPU lenses are keyed in.)

After turning VR off both bodies are on a level playing field for the remaining set up and exploring AF modes etc.

Your detailed post is appreciated.

 

[DRwyoming]

Thank you. Using your answer I have tracked down the source of the different sounds. As still in the set up stage no lenses have yet been mounted but, yes, it is IBIS-related. One camera had it enabled in sport mode and the other had it turned off. (Additionally but maybe irrelevant some non-CPU lenses are keyed in.)

After turning VR off both bodies are on a level playing field for the remaining set up and exploring AF modes etc.

Your detailed post is appreciated.

The other piece of this puzzle once you do mount lenses is that when a lens has a VR switch that takes over control of both the VR and the IBIS function and the IBIS options in the menu are grayed out and not accessible. So you could have both cameras set up with IBIS disabled but when a VR lens with its own VR switch is mounted on either camera and that lens switch is turned on, IBIS in the camera will also be turned on. That part isn't always obvious but when a VR lens with its own VR switch is mounted it takes control of the overall IBIS/VR function and it's not possible to have only IBIS with VR off or vice versa when a VR lens is mounted, it's an all or nothing thing and the VR switch on the lens takes control when such a lens is used.

 

[JAJohnson]

While setting up two Z9 bodies and having so far opted for sensor blinds to close on switch off, I'm noticing that one of the bodies is considerably noisier than the other - one makes a quiet click and the other is quite loud. I expect there is a simple explanation but I can't figure out what it is. I daresay I'll find it's to do with some other setting that I haven't kept in parity while exploring the camera options but, as there are so many, any pointers would be appreciated.

My assumption is that the noise created by the sensor blinds (if that is what it is) is a real sound, as opposed to the optional imitation mechanical sounds when the all-electronic shutter makes an 'exposure'. Another thought if it helps troubleshooting ideas is that it has something to do with IBIS; whatever it is, I also notice some quite similar sounds when moving between certain menu items.

I am used to Nikon cameras but the Z9 is a big step on even from cameras like the D-single digits that I used in the past so any help gratefully received.

This looks to be a great forum and I'm pleased to have just discovered it.

Try this: Remove lenses from both cameras and ensure a body cap is attached to each. If you haven’t done so, load the same settings on each camera. Now turn them on and off. They should sound identical. If not, it may be that the sensor shield (if you’ve set it to close on shutdown) is a bit out of tolerance on one of them, or a similar issue with the sensor assembly lock mechanism on one of them.

If the cameras are behaving normally it’s probably not something to worry about, though.

 

[Front Yard & Washhouse]

I managed to solve the problem w/ DRwyoming's help just before you posted; however, I have now checked the sounds of both Z9 bodies w/o lenses attached and w/ IBIS off and sensor shields enabled. They now sound identical so am happy to say all is solved and nothing further to report.

Am going through remaining settings side by side to help w/ menu familiarization; so not using loaded card trick! Thanks for your help.

Impressive forum w/ such clear and detailed help on day one.

 

[JAJohnson]

I managed to solve the problem w/ DRwyoming's help just before you posted; however, I have now checked the sounds of both Z9 bodies w/o lenses attached and w/ IBIS off and sensor shields enabled. They now sound identical so am happy to say all is solved and nothing further to report.

Am going through remaining settings side by side to help w/ menu familiarization; so not using loaded card trick! Thanks for your help.

Impressive forum w/ such clear and detailed help on day one.

I'm glad the mystery is solved!

 

[Front Yard & Washhouse]

The other piece of this puzzle once you do mount lenses is that when a lens has a VR switch that takes over control of both the VR and the IBIS function and the IBIS options in the menu are grayed out and not accessible. So you could have both cameras set up with IBIS disabled but when a VR lens with its own VR switch is mounted on either camera and that lens switch is turned on, IBIS in the camera will also be turned on. That part isn't always obvious but when a VR lens with its own VR switch is mounted it takes control of the overall IBIS/VR function and it's not possible to have only IBIS with VR off or vice versa when a VR lens is mounted, it's an all or nothing thing and the VR switch on the lens takes control when such a lens is used.

That's handy to know as one of the Z lenses I use has a VR switch. (The others are either Z non-VR or 3rd party Z-chipped MF.)