How does one make sure of proper shutter speed?

wow, popular topic! You certainly don't need one more response on top of all this, but here it is anyway: do you happen to still have an old CRT television or monitor around the house? If you do, that will provide a very good shutter speed test from about 1/60 second and faster:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-208.html
 
rick oleson said:
wow, popular topic! You certainly don't need one more response on top of all this, but here it is anyway: do you happen to still have an old CRT television or monitor around the house? If you do, that will provide a very good shutter speed test from about 1/60 second and faster:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-208.html
Click to expand...

Thank you. People already suggested that ;-)
 
And don't fret over it. You do not have to tune 1/125 to the last digit (or even the second from last). Shutter speeds accurate to 1/3 stop are perfectly adequate, so that 1/125 may be 1/100 or 1/160 without any visible impact. That is equivalent to a wall clock losing or gaining about five hours a day - shutters are timers, not watches!
 
Peter Jennings said:
To test for consistency in the shutter opening in Leica-type shutters, I have been using my iPhone lately. Use the slo-mo setting in the camera app and look at the gap from opening to closing during playback. For bottom loaders, slip a piece of white paper behind the shutter curtains.
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Thanks for the idea! This works really well.
 
Hi,

This thread worries me; as every DIY suggestion is helping to put the camera testers and repairers out of business. And that's not a good thing. Also, why buy expensive kit just to do something once?

Best answer is to take it to a technician and ask him/her to check the shutter speeds, once you have proof that they are beginning to fail. If you've no evidence of failure than don't bother and enjoy using the camera to take pictures...

Regards, David
 
Ok, so I bought this one and tried it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camera-shut...432217?hash=item25c9cccd19:g:6N0AAOSwNgxWEWrJ
It works like a charm. I was happy to find out that my main two cameras are "right no the money". One thing this does not do - you cannot check camera with permanent back, like Leica IIIF or something. Because in order to work you have to get behind the shutter with this sensor. Other than that- 15 bucks well spent.

David Hughes said:
Hi,
This thread worries me; as every DIY suggestion is helping to put the camera testers and repairers out of business. And that's not a good thing. Also, why buy expensive kit just to do something once?
Regards, David
Click to expand...

Nothing to worry about. I would not even be concerned if my camera was off, as long as I know how much it is off and how consistently off it is.
 
David Hughes said:
This thread worries me; as every DIY suggestion is helping to put the camera testers and repairers out of business.
Click to expand...

Sore subject right now!

If the repair services were a bit more reasonable in price I would be more sympathetic to the, but today I learned that it will probably cost close to $200 for a good CLA on a zoom lens when I can get a replacement one on the auction site we love to hate for less than half of that!

If it were not for my ability to DIY amd to learn how to do it (with the help of others such as the users here) I would not be shooting nearly as much!

In fact, I've been thinking of getting one of those shutter testers, not the PC plug-in but the actual appliance, because one use would pay for it, compared to having a shop do it!

Yeah I know, b*tch b*tch b*tch!
 
Hi,

I can cope with that but it's the cost of a repair etc.

My experience is that they can usually tell you what's right or wrong with a camera or lens for free and then quote for repairs or else they make a nominal charge for the quote. (Much cheaper than running a film through it etc.) One exception is Leica who have different ideas of nominal to me, well, they did the last time...

Regards, David
 
David Hughes said:
Hi,

This thread worries me; as every DIY suggestion is helping to put the camera testers and repairers out of business. And that's not a good thing. Also, why buy expensive kit just to do something once?

Best answer is to take it to a technician and ask him/her to check the shutter speeds, once you have proof that they are beginning to fail. If you've no evidence of failure than don't bother and enjoy using the camera to take pictures...

Regards, David
Click to expand...

Isn't helping fellow DIY repairers the purpose of this forum?
 
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