Over the years, I have read on many occasions that our shutters are less accurate than we would like to believe, especially older shutters.
A while back, I purchased the Shutter Speed app for my Android devices. This is the one created by Lukas Fritz (
http://www.photoplug.de). I first used it without his PhotoPlug accessory and was very surprised that most of the tested shutters were quite accurate (assuming, as I do, that the app is accurate). Below 1/125, most of them are almost right on.
I was worried that using the app without the PhotoPlug was leading me to bad results, even though my results were repeatable.
So, I purchased the PhotoPlug and it sat around for months and months. This weekend I pulled it out and started making some measurements with my Nexus 7 tablet. I tested older style (jagged edge shutter speed ring), silver block style, and all black style Copal shutters. It did not seem to matter how old they were. I also tested versions used by Rodenstock, Nikon, and Fuji. Again, it did not matter which ones I chose. They are all mostly right on target. Of course, the higher speeds (above 1/60) are all off. However, they are not off by much. Usually, 1/125 and 1/250 are off by 1/3 or 2/3 of a stop. The top speed, 1/500 or 1/400, are, as expected, off by much more. Usually 1 1/3 stop.
All but one of my lenses are used. I have not yet tested the one I purchased new. None have been serviced since purchased by me! The one I sent to Carol, she sent back after making a minor fix for free!!
Based on what I have read, I expected more deviation from the marked speed, but I found that with the PhotoPlug the shutters were more accurate than I expected after using the app without it. So, I am wondering what others have experienced. Am I lucky in the shutters I have tested so far? Or is this a typical experience?
I have yet to test some Seikos, an Ilex, and some Wollensak shutters. We will see how that goes.
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