Cheap DIY shutter speed tester, Ver. 2

I've finally managed to put up a rather ugly Web page describing the "new and improved" DIY shutter speed tester,

based on the older design. The tester requires a computer with a sound card, a USB port, and some sound recording

software (I recommend the freeware "Audacity").

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Anyway, the link is <B><a href="http://www.hrtranslations.com/photo/shutter_v2/shutter2.html">here</a></B>.

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There are some schematics and photos of the prototype :)

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Those into DIY are welcome to build one themselves...

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It's a lot better than the earlier version I had - it requires no batteries, and has its own light source...

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Denis

Just for the record, this looks PC only, no Mac version?

Neat. Maybe someone will start building and selling these? Many of us have cameras that need speed calibration (or

rather we need data to enable speed value "offsets" for field use)

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<B>JDM von Weinberg [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , Oct 13, 2008; 04:40 p.m.</B>

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Just for the record, this looks PC only, no Mac version?</I>

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The gadget is not OS-related. You should be able to use it on the Mac, too - provided it has mic input.

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Haven't tried it myself, though - I only have an old Quicksilver G4, which (unfortunately) does not have a mic

input :(

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As for selling these, this was our initial idea. But, the postage from Croatia to USA would be something like

$25, which makes it relatively expensive - the projected sales price was something like $50-$60...

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But, the author of the device has got a job again (was unemployed when the idea of selling these came up), and

really has no spare time for such activities. $50 for a couple of hours' work isn't much. It's OK when you're

unemployed, I guess - but he's back in saddle again, and this isn't really a priority. But, I've provided his

e-mail in case anyone wants one built - the price would be something like $50-$60, plus postage from Croatia -

provided the author has spare time and is willing to make one for you.

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Denis

Nice work Denis. Good improvements. Thanks

Denis, I'd really be impressed if you could add two more sensors. One at the start, middle (which you have) and end of film plane. With that you could rig up the ability to view all three speeds at each portion of the frame. Next allow the "outside" sensors to read the time it takes for each curtain to run through. Aka. Curtain Travel Times This will then provide the extremely important tension balance of each barrel spring. CTT Factory specs are different for most every camera make & model. You might have an accurate "center" shutter speed reading but it doesn't cover the tension difference for the common cut-off or gradient image defect. P.S. Put the three in a slant and you can then check in the same manor a vertical traveling shutter. This would then be a truly sweet Ver.3 shutter tester, I'd be a buyer!