Page 40 - Photo Review

INSIDER

fast enough readout speeds. In addition, WR ¶ÁDVK· WKH HQWLUH VHQVRU DW WKH VDPH WLPH
WKH\ GRQ W ZRUN ZHOO ZLWK ÁDVK 7KH ÁDVK Dynamic range is reduced as a consequence.
illumination must cover the entire frame for
the time it takes for all the rows of pixels to be Which to use?
activated, which limits the supported shutter While most cameras with hybrid shutters give
speed range. users a choice between the mechanical and
Global electronic shutters (sometimes known electronic shutter – as well as an Auto option
as e-global shutters) have been developed to where the camera's microprocessor decides –
address these problems. Instead of turning it's useful to understand the kinds of tasks each
pixels off in a cascading sequence, they deliver type of shutter does best.
incoming light to all photosites simultaneously. Mechanical shutters are the best choice for
A 'hard' shutter works by abruptly exposing ÁDVK SKRWRJUDSK\ DQG DOVR ZKHQ VKRRWLQJ XQGHU
and then obstructing all photosites at once, ÁXRUHVFHQW OLJKWLQJ RU DQ\ RWKHU ÁLFNHULQJ OLJKW
while a 'soft' shutter does this more gradually. source). They are also preferable if you're shooting
Either way, everything within each frame is UDZ ÀOHV DQG ZDQW WR PDLQWDLQ WKH PD[LPXP ELW
recorded simultaneously. depth or when you are using wide apertures and
Unfortunately, global shutters require want to maintain a soft, undistorted bokeh.
sensors with very high read speeds in order A fast rolling shutter is well-suited for movie
WR FDSWXUH WKH H[SRVXUH 7KLV LV PRUH GLIÀFXOW recording, since this has been the standard for
with large sensors than with smaller chips, over a century. But beware of panning rapidly
which is why global shutters are most common and avoid very fast-moving subjects to minimise
in cine cameras. They are also being used in 'jello effect' distortions.
an increasing number of mirrorless cameras, A global shutter will provide the most accurate
particularly those with M4/3 sensors. representation of motion for both movies and still
While they are ideal for recording rapid events photographs, particularly with very fast-moving
such as gunshots and explosions, global shutters objects. It will also support silent shooting.
have some limitations. Low light shooting But stills photographers should be aware that it
at high ISO settings is limited by the space FDQ UHGXFH WKH ELW GHSWK RI UDZ ÀOHV IURP WR
Two frames from a video clip of a rotating propellor
required at each pixel site for the electronics 12 bit, resulting in lower dynamic range.
showing the rolling shutter effect.

Discovering shutter actuations can be found at www.bit.ly/G-shutter-count.
If you're selling a DSLR or contemplating Between 10 and 15 steps are involved, with the
the purchase of a secondhand one, it can Olympus instructions being shown in a video clip.
EH KDQG\ WR ÀQG RXW KRZ PXFK LW KDV EHHQ Users of Sony Alpha cameras could try the
used and how close the shutter count is to online tool at http:/tools.science.si/index.php.
WKH UDWHG ÀJXUH 7KLV LV SRVVLEOH ZLWK VRPH Cameras supported include the original models
cameras, although a few brands aren't LQ WKH Ơ VHULHV SOXV VRPH *HQ PRGHOV PRVW
supported and there’s no guarantee any of 1(; PRGHOV SOXV VRPH RI WKHLU VXFFHVVRUV DQG
the methods listed below will work for any some Alpha DSLRs.
particular camera. Still, they are worth a try. Some camera manufacturers embed the
7KH VLPSOHVW ZD\ WR ÀQG RXW KRZ QXPEHU RI VKXWWHU DFWXDWLRQV LQ LPDJH (;,)
many times a shutter has been metadata but you will need a reader that can
released is to upload a recent image GLVSOD\ $// RI WKH GDWD WR ÀQG LW 3KLO +DUYH\ V
to www.camerashuttercount.com or ExifTool (download from www.bit.ly/PH-Exif-Tool)
www.myshuttercount.com. Unfortunately, or Opanda iExif (www.bit.ly/Opanda-IExif) are the
these online analysers aren't up-to-date recommended multi-platform Exif tools to use.
and only work for a few older models from Once you've downloaded the software, select
Canon. But they cover quite a wide range of WKH PRVW UHFHQW -3(* ÀOH \RX YH WDNHQ DQG RSHQ
Nikon and Pentax cameras and a few SLT LW 7KHQ VFUROO GRZQ WKH ([LI WDEOH XQWLO \RX ÀQG
models from Sony. an entry for 'Shutter Count' or 'Image Number'
Instructions for discovering the shutter in ExifTool or 'Total Number of Shutter Releases
actuations for Olympus cameras as well IRU &DPHUD LQ 2SDQGD L([LI WR ÀQG WKH QXPEHU
as different Panasonic G-series models you're looking for.

38 PHOTOREVIEW AUSTRALIA | Issue 75 www.photoreview.com.au