Leaf shutter tester

[Si_Voltage]

Hi everyone.

I’m not sure if anyone has built one, but I’m looking for a simple device I can build that will test the shutter speed of copal shutters like the Copal MXV etc.
I did see the forum post on building a shutter tester that stretched to 40 pages but have not gone through the whole post as to wether a leaf shutter tester was mentioned.

Has anyone had any success with a DIY build using a microcontroller like an Arduino etc.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Simon.

 

[koraks]

Has anyone had any success with a DIY build using a microcontroller like an Arduino etc.

That's what the 40-page thread is about. I'd recommend reading the project page linked to on page 1. No need to reinvent the wheel, although as wheels go, this one isn't too complicated. The leaf shutter thing does come with some caveats - as also touched upon in the 40-page thread.
Really, that thread is what you're looking for in terms of good info.

Also, welcome aboard.

 

[Si_Voltage]

That's what the 40-page thread is about. I'd recommend reading the project page linked to on page 1. No need to reinvent the wheel, although as wheels go, this one isn't too complicated. The leaf shutter thing does come with some caveats - as also touched upon in the 40-page thread.
Really, that thread is what you're looking for in terms of good info.

Also, welcome aboard.

Great stuff, I’ll get stuck in. Thanks you

 

[monopix]

Hi everyone.

I’m not sure if anyone has built one, but I’m looking for a simple device I can build that will test the shutter speed of copal shutters like the Copal MXV etc.

The trouble is, a 'simple' device is not going to be of much use with leaf shutters. Maybe read up on shutter efficiency to understand some of the issues.

 

[Si_Voltage]

The trouble is, a 'simple' device is not going to be of much use with leaf shutters. Maybe read up on shutter efficiency to understand some of the issues.

Thanks. I will. Do you have any good links?

 

[koraks]

Build a shutter tester for Focal Plane shutters - Cheap, Easy & it Works

I may have got something wrong in my build, but the sensors in mine are on the distant side of their PCBs, which makes it difficult to get them close to the mask with its drilled holes. I suppose one could bend them in a loop around the end of the PCB so that they look the other way? Hi, I...

www.photrio.com

Build a shutter tester for Focal Plane shutters - Cheap, Easy & it Works

Thanks. I changed the SPI speed to 80MHz and I was able to flash the code. I set my tester for 6x6 SLRs. I spaced the sensors at 51mm vertical and horizontal (I'm guessing the standard is frame size minus 2mm on each side?). You have to put the lasers closer than that because the lens flange...

www.photrio.com

Then, leaf shutter testing was added in Oct 2024: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2836706
Which apparently works: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2843307
Officially released in Dec 2024: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2854063

Here's all search results in that long thread for 'leaf shutter': https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/20603/?q=leaf+shutter&t=post&c[thread]=197756&o=date

In case there's a need to re-invent this wheel, the posts above would give a good starting point.

 

[Si_Voltage]

Build a shutter tester for Focal Plane shutters - Cheap, Easy & it Works

I may have got something wrong in my build, but the sensors in mine are on the distant side of their PCBs, which makes it difficult to get them close to the mask with its drilled holes. I suppose one could bend them in a loop around the end of the PCB so that they look the other way? Hi, I...

www.photrio.com

Build a shutter tester for Focal Plane shutters - Cheap, Easy & it Works

Thanks. I changed the SPI speed to 80MHz and I was able to flash the code. I set my tester for 6x6 SLRs. I spaced the sensors at 51mm vertical and horizontal (I'm guessing the standard is frame size minus 2mm on each side?). You have to put the lasers closer than that because the lens flange...

www.photrio.com

Then, leaf shutter testing was added in Oct 2024: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2836706
Which apparently works: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2843307
Officially released in Dec 2024: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...tters-cheap-easy-it-works.197756/post-2854063

Here's all search results in that long thread for 'leaf shutter': https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/20603/?q=leaf+shutter&t=post&c[thread]=197756&o=date

In case there's a need to re-invent this wheel, the posts above would give a good starting point.

Wow. Thank you for this. My search skills memes improvement.

 

[reddesert]

The trouble is, a 'simple' device is not going to be of much use with leaf shutters. Maybe read up on shutter efficiency to understand some of the issues.

Practically speaking for a typical leaf shutter used in most cameras/lenses, shutter efficiency is only going to affect the results at the fastest and maybe next fastest speed. IMO, it is easier to test a leaf shutter for practical results than to test a focal plane shutter.

Again IMO, the average user who wants to test a leaf shutter, today, has to worry more about "I need to know that 1/30 is two-thirds of a stop slow" than about how much 1/500 is affected by shutter efficiency at small vs large apertures.

Here's a thread to read about shutter efficiency, anyway: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...leaf-shutters-higher-speeds.59608/post-855904

 

[Si_Voltage]

Practically speaking for a typical leaf shutter used in most cameras/lenses, shutter efficiency is only going to affect the results at the fastest and maybe next fastest speed. IMO, it is easier to test a leaf shutter for practical results than to test a focal plane shutter.

Again IMO, the average user who wants to test a leaf shutter, today, has to worry more about "I need to know that 1/30 is two-thirds of a stop slow" than about how much 1/500 is affected by shutter efficiency at small vs large apertures.

Here's a thread to read about shutter efficiency, anyway: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...leaf-shutters-higher-speeds.59608/post-855904

A good point indeed. I just want to know how much to compensate for.
Is my camera completely off the scale or is it something I can work with.
So yes a simple device would be good enough for me and most.
Thanks