Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/17

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Subject: Re: [Leica] RE: Was Medium format camera (now pit-bull arena)
From: "Steve LeHuray" <icommag@toad.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 20:12:16 -0500

> Austin stated in part:
>>It is almost impossible to accurately measure a leaf shutter at high speed,
>>with reasonable tolerance, without some very exotic equipment.
>
> I don't think so.
>
> Put film in the camera and expose it. Inspect the film.
> That's all it takes to see if your choice of camera shutter will work for
> you.
> If you are using your camera to make pictures this is ALL that matters!
>
> In theory and practice I suppose an electrically controlled shutter is
> more accurate than a mechanical one. But my question is - does it matter?
> I think my M6 shutters are not super accurate but the film comes out fine.
> Even more so my old Rollei. But again, its fine for negative film. My F5
> has a super accurate shutter (allegedly). Does it make better pictures?
> No.

I could not agree more. My M3 has the old style shutter speeds, for example
100th instead of 125. And when I shoot the M3 and M2 side by side there is
not a bit of difference.
>
> Do Mamiya RZs have more accurate shutters than Hasselblads. I bet they
> do. But again in practice it does not seem to make much difference.
> Especially since at the level of exposure accuracy where "better"
> shutters might matter you're using Polaroid to get where you need to be -
> just metering won't do it.
>
> If my Hasselblad leaf shutters (or any others) are a bit off, well thats
> OK as long as they are consistent.
>
> Mechanical leaf shutters have been around a long time.
> They are proven over and over to work well in the field, making pictures.
> Who cares if they are not perfectly accurate on a shutter tester?
>
> Go make some pictures. This issue does not matter.
> :)

Best wisdom I have heard lately.
>
> Henry
>
Steve
Annapolis