Anyone interested in a shutter tester?

[Denis P.]

I'm not sure if I'm breaking any rules here by posting this, since it's of a somewhat commercial nature, so, moderators, please delete if inappropriate...

Anyway, I have a Web page HERE explaining how to make a simple sound card shutter tester. On another forum I noticed that there is still some interest for this kind of a gadget - and that, even though the gadget itself is very simple, there are still people for whom this is rather complicated to make

Anyway, a friend of mine has built an improved version, which does not require a battery (it's powered from the computer USB port), has an integrated light source, and provides more precise measurements, even on higher speeds (above 1/125).

Now, since this friend of mine has recently become unemployed, I thought I'd help him by putting out a "feeler" to see if this gadget of his would generate any interest, so perhaps he could make a few of those for sale, since a shutter tester is not really an "off the shelf" item anywhere in the world, AFAIK...

A short explanation for those who haven't seen anything like that: the gadget is used to measure shutter speeds, and requires a computer. The tester has a jack that's plugged in the computer sound card (into microphone connector), and a sound software (e.g. freeware "Audacity") is used to "record" the signal from the tester. After clicking the shutter, you measure the length in milliseconds between two peaks in the sound software, and you get the shutter speed. Simple, really. You can see the principle on the page linked above...

So, in short, would anyone be interested in a gadget like that, for a reasonable price: I think about $60 would be reasonable, plus postage from Croatia (another $20 or so....)?

I can provide more info, plus photos of the device, and more detailed explanation.

(At the risk of sounding rather corny, I'd like to point out that I'm not trying to make any money from this - I'm just trying to help a friend through some difficult times, by perhaps helping him earn a few bucks... This isn't a full-blown commercial venture or anything like that. Like I said, moderators please delete this if inappropriate...)

Denis

 

[fotoroberto]

I think You made a nice gesture... and above all this could be useful for all of us with bunch of the old lenses with somewhat questionable shutters, that may or may not need service...
and there is no better place to post this than here on APUG...

 

[thefizz]

I would be interested.

 

[Chan Tran]

Although I am very much interested in a shutter tester but my simple homemade tester can get to 1/125 very accurately (5% of actual time at 1/125). It can do 1/500 quite well but I want to check the 1/1000, 1/2000 and above.

 

[gracjan]

Accuracy and repeatability of measurements

Can we see some measurements that would show the accuracy and repeatability of this tool? For example results of at least 3 tests for long time (e.g. 1s), medium time (e.g. 1/60s) and short time (1/500s) of perfectly adjusted shutter.

 

[Trond]

I would be interested as well. But it would be nice to see a picture of the device, and also information about how fast shutter speeds it can accuratly measure.

Trond

 

[Denis P.]

Thanks for the interest, everyone.

A bit more on this....

I'm not really a salesman, and do not really intend to become one - this is strictly as a favour to an old friend.

Seeing that my friend needs some extra cash, and that there are probably a couple of photo geeks around who would benefit from his gadget, I just thought I'd put two and two together.

But, since my friends' English is just barely passable, I realized I'd have to be a mediator, correspondency translator, etc., which is really more than I'm willing to handle, not to mention customer service, manuals, warranties, etc.

So, in short: I'll make the schematics and the screenshots available on a Web page in a couple of days. From there you can make the gadget yourself, if you're electronically inclined. If not, you could purchase a finished one directly from him - the Web page will also have a link to his e-mail.

Regards,

Denis

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I'd be interested as well. Look forward to seeing the website.

 

[Denis P.]

Well, I've finally managed to put up a quick-and-dirty Web page with some info on this gadget, here.

There are some pics, a screenshot, and some schematics for those who want to make one themselves.

The initial idea of selling this gadget isn't exactly going to hold water: it takes time to build it, and once you're asking money for it, you can't really offer a product that looks like the one pictured on that Web page

Besides, $40-$50 isn't a lot of money for a couple of hours of work (even in a former Communist country....). Add to that the fact that the postage to USA would be something like $20-$25, and the idea doesn't look too bright any more, given that similar DIY gadgets are sold on eboy for around $45 (with local, US shipping)... It's just too expensive for potential buyers abroad.

So, there's the Web page with more or less all the info I have, and you can make one yourself. If you would REALLY like to purchase a ready-made one, you could contact my friend, the "mad scientist" (who's actually more of a Rube Goldberg type), and see if he's willing to make one for you. Don't expect anything fancy - the appearance of the contraption isn't bound to get much better

Denis