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Springs, levers and electromagnets are what makes a DSLR shutter mechanism work

Jul 31, 2017 by John Aldred Add Comment

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We’ve posted about what shutter speed is, from a photographic standpoint, and shown the basics of how shutters works before. But this video from photographer Chris Marquardt takes things just that bit further. He literally pulls a shutter mechanism out of a Nikon D500 to show us the nitty gritty.

We all know the basic principles of how a shutter works. The front curtain opens, exposes the scene, then the rear curtain closes and our shot is complete. But the mechanism by which it all happens and the technology that allows it to work is quite fascinating.

I’ve actually been waiting for one of my older DSLRs to die so I can take it apart and see how some of its inner workings come together. But none of them seem to have done so yet. Now, I don’t need to (although I probably still will). The video illustrates shows how each of the two curtains essentially hinge on spring loaded levers.

When you hit the shutter, the shutter cocks, then the camera’s mirror flips up. Cocking the shutter pulls the front curtain in front of the sensor, while moving the rear curtain up out of the way. Electromagnets hold each of the curtains in place until the camera is actually ready to release them. Then the springs do the rest.

At the start of your shot, the magnet on the front curtain is released, opening it, and exposing your sensor to the light. At the end of the shot, the other magnet is released, covering your sensor with the rear curtain and ending the exposure. Then your mirror drops back down into place. This explains why longer exposures can cause your battery to drain so much more quickly. It’s using juice to hold that rear curtain open.

So, there’s more to potentially fail and kill a shutter mechanism than just the blades of the curtains getting bent. It’s no wonder that so many people are hoping for more cameras to come out with fully electronic global shutter sensors.

[via ISO1200]

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Related posts:

Fujifilm issues service advisory over GFX 100 shutter lock mechanism A look inside Canon’s redesigned mirror mechanism See just how many photos a Canon DSLR shoots before the shutter dies Canon comes up with a shutter button like no shutter button before it

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: Chris Marquardty, Nikon D500, Shutter Mechanism

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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