Why does a dslr have a shutter

But what about medium-format cameras? Medium-format got its name from mm format cameras during the film days. Only a small percentage of professional photographers get to use them on a daily basis. Just like full-frame cameras, medium-format cameras also have DSLR and mirrorless versions. That means that their shutter mechanisms also vary.

But the high-end medium-format options often feature a special shutter called a leaf shutter. Unlike other shutter mechanisms, a leaf shutter is inside the lens and not the camera body. It also looks and works like an aperture , moving inwards or outwards instead of up and down.

Ever wonder where the clicking from your compact camera or smartphone comes from? The truth is that sound is produced electronically. Instead, they capture light from the lens straight to the sensor. So if your smartphone works without a shutter, then why is it still necessary for normal cameras to have one? It all comes down to the quality of the photos. Cameras without shutters tend to produce grainy pictures. On the other hand, cameras with mechanical shutters have cleaner images.

They have better control of the light hitting the sensor. As mentioned earlier, the amount of time the shutter stays open is proportional to the shutter speed you set on your camera.

As an experiment, you can adjust your shutter speed to 3 seconds and press the shutter. The time between the first click when the shutter and mirror opens to the second click when the shutter and mirror closes , is the same amount of time.

But since shutters are mechanical, they can only go so fast when taking pictures. To view this content, JavaScript must be enabled, and you need the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player. This is due to the fact that only a brief instant of the walker's motion was recorded because the shutter was only open for a short time. In the photograph taken at a slow shutter speed, the walker is blurred.

This is due to the fact that the walker moved while the shutter was open. Speeds faster than one second are shown as fractions e. Speeds slower than one second are shown by a double prime symbol following the value e. Imaging Products. What you are looking at is the first curtain of the shutter mechanism.

In the picture you can see the individual leafs of the curtain. Your camera may have more or less than this Canon 7D, which has four and is what I diagram below. No matter the number, the mechanics are the same. When activated by pressing the shutter release on your camera or remote the aperture on your lens is stopped down to the appropriate setting, the mirror flips up and out of the way and then the shutter magic happens.

The diagram below shows a longer exposure in order to exaggerate the movements. You should also read our guide: how do you avoid the rolling shutter effect? Hybrid shutters combine a mechanical and electronic shutter — they operate in unison. The mechanical shutter physically covers the shutter with a curtain and moves out of the way to expose the sensor. Unlike a rolling shutter where rows of the sensor switch on and off in waves, a global shutter has the entire sensor turn on and off as one.

Global shutters deliver outstanding image resolution and excellent noise management in low-light shooting conditions. Almost all electronic shutters are silent — there are no moving parts to make noise or vibration detected in long exposure.

DSLR manufacturers announce that their mechanical shutters last for a set shutter count. However, they usually last well beyond this. Mirrorless cameras work differently as the process of taking a photo does not flip a mirror up and down as it does in a DSLR. Most mirrorless cameras have a mechanical shutter that reveals the sensor and an electronic shutter that digitally replicates this movement.

However, smartphones have an electronic shutter that digitally replicates the role of a mechanical one. Yes, you can replace a camera shutter and any other part of a camera for a price. If you have a camera that you love, but the mechanical shutter has stopped working, you can have it repaired or replaced by a service centre. Check out our guide on how to check your shutter count. All too often, we take the way things work for granted. Camera shutters on DSLR and mirrorless cameras are incredibly complex devices with decades of research and engineering behind them.

A fundamental of learning photography is to understand the math, science and engineering behind these fantastic pieces of equipment. It makes you a better photographer to know the limitation of your gear.

What are your thoughts on the different types of camera shutters? Do you have a preference for electronic versus mechanical? Or are you a die-hard fan of the leaf shutter?

Join the discussion and share your thoughts below. I am a Melbourne based street photographer and blogger.