16 mm. film camera 42 dB quiet?

[avr]

How much quiet is a 16 mm. camera that runs at 42 dB? good for exterior shooting but bad for small interior rooms?
thanks

[Barry_Green]

42db is not quiet. Sync-sound cameras are typically around 27db or less; the better ones are down around 21db. And that's a lot bigger difference than you might think, because 42 isn't twice as loud as 21, it's actually 12 times as loud!

The way decibel scales work, 6db = twice as much volume. So the difference between 21 and 27 is that 27 is twice as loud. 33 = twice as loud again, and 39=twice as loud again. And then from 39 to 42 = 50% louder. So 2x2x2x1.5 = 12 times louder.

27 is pretty much quiet enough to use for sync-sound purposes; the CP16 is 27db, and while it's pretty darn quiet, you can hear the purr of the motor in dialogue scenes when everyone else is being quiet.

49db is rip-roaring LOUD. The new Honda generators are around 49db -- quiet for a generator, sure, but come on, it's a generator! 49db is about the level of normal conversation. So 42db would be about half as loud as a full-on conversation.

In other, shorter words -- no way will 42db be quiet enough to use for shooting sync-sound, unless the camera's about 300 yards away.

[Jarred Land]

yeah.. some of the old russian cameras hit 45db and you could hear them with a shotgun on the otherside of a football field. I wouldnt even suggest it for exterior locations.

[Barry_Green]

My Konvas is rated at, I believe, 55db! That's four times as loud as the 42db camera!

[baquajim]

I have a CP16R and like Barry said, it is quiet enough for indoor sync, but in some cases you still will have to wrap it with a blanket or barney. I also had to do that with an Arri SR1.

And both cameras were well maintained (which makes a huge difference, especially with the CP16).

I highly recommend the CP16R. The only thing that really sucks about it is having to thread the film through the body. I don't mind so much, but if you are doing a lot of run and gun type documentary work, or you are shooting without permits and trying to steal shots before the police come, it can slow you down.

[Jarred Land]

yeah the Konvas is what I have used.. and those things are damn loud.. but they are tanks, You could drop it off a bridge rolling and it would probally film every bounce.

[Barry_Green]

Yeah, they really knew how to build sturdy cameras back then. The Konvas, the Eyemo, the Filmo, the CP16 and the Auricon are all absolutely indestructible!

[Barry_Green]

Oh yeah, I remember you & the Konvas now -- you posted that picture where you were using some dude's head as a tripod... :thumbsup: