Any IQ compromise in using electronic shutter?

The mechanical shutter sound on my X-T1 is really loud regardless of the shutter speed. So i have been using electronic shutter on the lowest sound setting, that makes it sound like the leaf shutter on the X100 series. Quieter shutter sound is my personal preference and NOT due to shooting in quite environments (churches, weddings etc).

I only shoot jpegs of still subjects/people (no video at all), am I compromising on the image quality?

Thanks

ArtHeals wrote:

The shutter sound on my X-T1 is really loud regardless of the shutter speed. So i have been using electronic shutter on the lowest sound setting, that makes it sound like the leaf shutter on the X100 series. Quieter shutter sound is my personal preference and NOT due to shooting in quite environments (churches, weddings etc).

I only shoot jpegs of still subjects/people (no video at all), am I compromising on the image quality?

Thanks

If you're shooting static subjects and you're not panning, using the electronic shutter should be the same as using the mechanical shutter. Do some testing and see for yourself.

That looks awesome! Love how this really gives the impression of movement.

I feel like the rolling shutter effect is OK if the subject is moving, but not so much if you are. I tried it out for some street stuff and ended up with bendy lamp posts  which isn't such a good look

Amazing shot and i will take your advice and continue to use ES

ArtHeals wrote:

Amazing shot and i will take your advice and continue to use ES

I have read that there is a small difference in dynamic range but don't notice it myself when using electronic shutter. You could set up on a tripod and shoot the same shot with and without electronic shutter and see for yourself. That's my preferred way of confirming internet obtained information or advice.

Main issues would be any camera movement or subject movement will lead to image distortion due to the relatively slow scan rate of the sensor during ES.

You also get banding when shooting under artificial lighting due to the cycle flicker of the light source.

You will also get bokeh degradation due to the plane of focus no longer being defined by the aperture on the lens, most noticeably with things like misshapen bokeh balls.

ES will also not allow flash to be used.

I avoid ES unless I have no other possible alternative.

ArtHeals wrote:

The mechanical shutter sound on my X-T1 is really loud regardless of the shutter speed. So i have been using electronic shutter on the lowest sound setting, that makes it sound like the leaf shutter on the X100 series.

Thanks

I believe electronic shutter was not available in the X-T1, but became available in the X-T2.  Is this correct?

I own a X-T3 and the electronic shutter is pretty good, but I mostly use the mechanical shutter.  I've heard that there are small sacrifices in image quality, and maybe some rolling shutter distortion if there is motion in the frame.

buzzbob wrote:

I don't want to hi-jack so please tell me if I am but this has prompted me to wonder if it would be good for Birds in flight. I am considering buying the 100-400 to do this on my XT3 and ditching my Canon DSLR completely. The thing putting me off is shutter blackout and I wondered if the electric shutter would get rid of this while doing all right at avoid RS distortion as I wouldn't be using it with hummingbirds but larger marsh birds like harriers.

Anyone used it with good results?

BIF is something I wouldn’t use ES for. Hummingbirds are extreme but I have seen artifacts on wings even for bigger birds.

maxxxx wrote:

buzzbob wrote:

I don't want to hi-jack so please tell me if I am but this has prompted me to wonder if it would be good for Birds in flight. I am considering buying the 100-400 to do this on my XT3 and ditching my Canon DSLR completely. The thing putting me off is shutter blackout and I wondered if the electric shutter would get rid of this while doing all right at avoid RS distortion as I wouldn't be using it with hummingbirds but larger marsh birds like harriers.

Anyone used it with good results?

BIF is something I wouldn’t use ES for. Hummingbirds are extreme but I have seen artifacts on wings even for bigger birds.

As an early adopter of the X-T3, I was anxious to try all the features for myself. I always double check opinions posted on the internet especially gear forums. I shot tons of hummingbird photos and many larger birds using electronic shutter. I didn't have a problem with shutter black out using boost mode. The rolling shutter is much reduced with this very fast processor and was not a deciding issue for me. These days I use electronic or mechanical depending on how rare the photo opportunity is. If it's rare indeed, I use mechanical. Here are some early hummingbird shots with electronic shutter, other birds with electronic shutter on my Flickr as well, see link in my signature. By the way Buzzbob, I came from Canon DSLR and have never looked back.

Electronic shutter, X-T3, Fuji 100-400

Electronic shutter, X-T3, Fuji 100-400

Electronic shutter, X-T3, Fuji 100-400

Get out and shoot,

SigmaChrome wrote:

ArtHeals wrote:

The shutter sound on my X-T1 is really loud regardless of the shutter speed. So i have been using electronic shutter on the lowest sound setting, that makes it sound like the leaf shutter on the X100 series. Quieter shutter sound is my personal preference and NOT due to shooting in quite environments (churches, weddings etc).

I only shoot jpegs of still subjects/people (no video at all), am I compromising on the image quality?

Thanks

If you're shooting static subjects and you're not panning, using the electronic shutter should be the same as using the mechanical shutter. Do some testing and see for yourself.

Several YouTubers showed that Bokeh changed depending on the shutter you used, both on Fujifilm and Sony cameras. I assume the same would be true for other brands.

And, recently, Bill Claff from Photons to Photos, shows dynamic range differences of the R system based on the shutter type used. Again, I assume this behaviour tracks across different brands.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4509191

Visit the chart

I have experienced issues with banding in certain artificial lighting situations  while using ES. It seems to be worse with modern LED lighting. I could see the rolling shutter effect being an issue in certain situations such as when panning. I guess the quality of the bokeh could be effected but it must be pretty subtle as I have not noticed it. I tend to avoid the ES most of the time but I actually like the sound of the shutter on my camera. I recommend that you experiment and use whatever shutter that works for you.

I also find this question interesting. Thanks to the OP.

Is there a compromise in DR? That's what I have once read but I am not sure whether it is true or relevant or not.

Is there any reason not to use ES for example for astro or for macro?

I often use it for macro, particularly for stacking. Never seen an issue. But never made a direct comparison yet.

Advantage of the ES over the MS in such situations (ss between let's say 1/125 s and few s) is of course no shock/vibration at all. With shorter or longer ss, shutter shock is less a problem.

And when stacking dozens of frames or more, it's more pleasant to not have the constant shutter noise.

BR,

Martin

SrMi wrote:

shigzeo wrote:

SigmaChrome wrote:

ArtHeals wrote:

The shutter sound on my X-T1 is really loud regardless of the shutter speed. So i have been using electronic shutter on the lowest sound setting, that makes it sound like the leaf shutter on the X100 series. Quieter shutter sound is my personal preference and NOT due to shooting in quite environments (churches, weddings etc).

I only shoot jpegs of still subjects/people (no video at all), am I compromising on the image quality?

Thanks

If you're shooting static subjects and you're not panning, using the electronic shutter should be the same as using the mechanical shutter. Do some testing and see for yourself.

Several YouTubers showed that Bokeh changed depending on the shutter you used, both on Fujifilm and Sony cameras. I assume the same would be true for other brands.

And, recently, Bill Claff from Photons to Photos, shows dynamic range differences of the R system based on the shutter type used. Again, I assume this behaviour tracks across different brands.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4509191

Visit the chart

AFAIK, the difference in bokeh is only caused when using EFCS at high shutter speeds. Many cameras, like X-T4, automatically choose between the EFCS and a mechanical shutter to eliminate shutter shock while eliminating bokeh degradation.

The difference in dynamic range is caused when cameras use 12-bit instead of 14-bits with the electronic shutter. AFAIK, most cameras use 14-bits with the electronic shutter.

I am sure that B. Claff will test the X-T4 and 3 in the same ways.