Camera Shutter Tester Optical

Following on from my more complex and fully featured camera shutter tester, a question was asked how to measure a digital camera shutter and also if it was possible to have a device, similar to using an old crt television & seeing the scanning lines?

Operating Instructions

Well here it is. Cheap as chips. Using just 2 cheap pre-made modules, six wires and a switch.

The LEDs will strobe at a set speed, changed by pressing the button, at standard camera shutter speeds 1/30s 1/60s, 1/120s, 1/240s 1/280s. 1/480s.

Yes these speeds are correct. We are more familiar with 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 however these are just for humans to understand and are not the actual shutter speeds a camera uses.

The matrix will display the set speed when first turned on & also each time the button is pressed and then begin to strobe.

Set both the tester and camera to 1/30s.

When photographing, or looking though the film gate of a film camera, if the shutter speed is correct, two rows of LEDs should be seen. (If you press the shutter at the exact moment the LEDs strobe you will only see one line, but this will be a 1 in 30 chance at the slowest speed)

If more than two rows of LEDs are seen, it is an indication that the shutter speed is slow.

Each shutter speed can be tested in a similar manor.

Supplies

Step 1: Parts

Only two cheap modules are used.

An Arduino Nano and

Max7219 Dot Matrix Module. (This comes with four Dupont wires)

Additionally a momentary switch and two wires are required.

Using Dupont wires, (these have pre-made ends) makes it easy to connect to the Arduino without any soldering.

Similarly, switches can be purchased that have pins to accept the Dupont wires, negating the need for any soldering.

Power is supplied via the USB connector.

A PDF document is below, with details & links for the purchase of these items

Step 2: Building the Tester

The matrix is connected to the Arduino with the supplied four wires.

Two further wires connect to the switch.

Nothing else to do :o)

Step 3: Firmware Load.

The firmware has to be downloaded to the computer using flashing software called AVRDUDESS.

The firmware and AVRDUDESS can be found on the Github page, as detailed in the PDF.

billbill100/Camera-Shutter-Tester-Optical-Cheap-Easy-It-Works (github.com)

Put it into a project box if you wish, otherwise, the task is complete

If you build & use the tester, please post your comments & thoughts.