D80 mechanical shutter: what's the benefit?

[roger_s]

The D80 is said to have a "mechanical-only" shutter, as compared to the

electronic shutters of previous models.

 

What does that mean, and what are the advantages over the previous electronic

shutters?

[hiro]

I think its the other way around. The d80 has electronic only. From what I've read, the electronic is more accurate. It does feel/sound a little different(from the d50).

[curritch]

Hiro. That's not my understanding. I've read several reviews of the D80 and they emphasize the "mechanicle only" shutter.

[roger_s]

I confirm the D80 has a "mechanical only" shutter. Search google for <D80 "mechanical only">

[frank_skomial]

D70/D50 have mechanical and electronic shutter (both). This is major advantage for fast sync flash photography.

 

D80 does not have electronic shutter and only mechanical.

So the advantage is in the D50/D70 cameras.

 

There is a disadvangae in this respect in the D80 camera. D80 is inferrior to D70 or D50 in this respect.

[alex_j]

I don't think we can talk about the purely mechanical shutter itself being a "benefit". It is possible to have different types of CCD: Interline, Full frame, and Frame transfer CCDs. Here when we talk about Full Frame, we are talking about CCD architecture... nothing to do with size of 135 film.

<p>

Do a search on Interline, Full frame, and Frame transfer CCD for more info.<br>

e.g. <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1157575,00.asp">Anatomy of a Digital Camera: Image Sensors</a><br>

<a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakdcs620x/">http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakdcs620x/</a>

<p>

There are also different types of shutter possible for DSLR: Mechanical, Electronic and Hybrid.<br>

But not all shutter types are compatible with all CCD types.<br>

Some CCD types require pure mechanical shutter, others can use electronic or hybrid.

<p>

It's my understanding that the D70 used a Hybrid shutter (mech + electronic) which is how it achieved 1/500 sec flash sync. It seems that the D80 has gone to a purely mechanical shutter. My guess is that the CCD used in the D80 did not lend itself to use of a hybrid shutter, but the CCD design most likely has other advantages over the one in the D70.

<p>

More here...<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CaDT">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CaDT</a>

[hiro]

Sorry the specs say electronically controlled vertical plane shutter. I assumed it meant it was a ccd electronic design. And everyone knows what happens when you assume. I wonder if it has any bearing on reliability or overall life.

[frank_skomial]

Alex,

 

Sounds like you never used any of D70/D50 saying:

 

"but the CCD design most likely has other advantages over the one in the D70." - what is the type of sensor in D70/D50 ? - also CCD.

[alex_j]

Frank,

<p>

I though it was redunant for me to mention on the Nikon forum, that the D70 also uses a CCD. The meaning of my last sentance should have been clear, but to memove any doubt I will reword it.

<p>

"...but the D80 CCD design most likely has other advantages over the one in the D70, which is also a CCD, but obviously not exactly the same CCD as the one in the D80".

[ajzammit]

i'm not very technical on these things - but i guess this can't be done with a D80. In this link, there is also another interesting link to a deeper explanation about shutters.

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00I46J&tag=

 

AJ

[mawz]

The D80 has an electronicly controlled mechanical shutter. The D50 and D70 have a Hybrid shutter, which combines the electronically controlled mechanical shutter (which fires up to the mechanical sync speed) and turns the CCD on and off for higher speeds (An electronic shutter).

 

The issue with the Hybrid design is it requires a modified CCD design, which the 10MP Sensor hasn't been modified to support and it can cause artifacts at high shutter speeds (especially over 1/4000). The benefit is less stress on the mechanical shutter and higher sync speeds with a cheaper shutter.