Really, really Stupid Question

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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Still a newbie to film, and need to check something...

Swapped lenses off my F80 earlier to use on DSLR, probably took 10 seconds or so, and then back again. Just had a thought, I did this outdoors which I do with my DSLR but with film cameras can this ruin the film (i.e. should this be done in a dark room?)
 
No it's fine.
 
What, changing the lenses? Nope, perfectly fine... for the film. The issues are with the digital sensor and mirror/prism being exposed to the elements - but as long as you're quick then that risk is your choice.
 
cambsno said:
Still a newbie to film, and need to check something...

Swapped lenses off my F80 earlier to use on DSLR, probably took 10 seconds or so, and then back again. Just had a thought, I did this outdoors which I do with my DSLR but with film cameras can this ruin the film (i.e. should this be done in a dark room?)
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Nope - the shutter protects in both cases, on your DSLR it stops the sensor being exposed to the elements and on the film SLR it stops the film being exposed to the elements. Take the lens off again - you'll only be able to see the blades of the shutter.

It's not a stupid question!
 
freecom2 said:
Nope - the shutter protects in both cases, on your DSLR it stops the sensor being exposed to the elements and on the film SLR it stops the film being exposed to the elements. Take the lens off again - you'll only be able to see the blades of the shutter.

It's not a stupid question!
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Wait, really? I thought DSLRs didn't use mechanical shutters? I thought they just had the sensor turn 'on' and 'off' as needed, to save on moving parts?
 
Superewza said:
Wait, really? I thought DSLRs didn't use mechanical shutters? I thought they just had the sensor turn 'on' and 'off' as needed, to save on moving parts?
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Most (all?) DSLRs have mechanical shutters, that's why you'll see the shutter life rating in the spec sheets, lots of digi cameras do use sensor switching either alongside a mechanical shutter, or instead of one though.

As for changing lenses with film, well, the lens lets a lot of light in anyway (what it's designed to do after-all) so taking it off makes no difference.

EDIT: the problem with changing lenses on a DSLR is that crap can get into the body and up around the mirror box. While the shutter is closed at the time, you then proceed to take photos, sending the mirror and shutter flapping around like a bat out of hell, and that crap can find its way onto your sensor.
 
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Superewza said:
Wait, really? I thought DSLRs didn't use mechanical shutters? I thought they just had the sensor turn 'on' and 'off' as needed, to save on moving parts?
Click to expand...

Nope - setting the "shutter speed", after all, would be impossible without a mechanical shutter. It isn't just a vague technical term! If you want to see the mechanical shutter in action, take the lens off a DSLR that has live view - when you active live view the shutter blades will move out of the way and expose the sensor, as it would do when you were taking a picture.
 
Jayst84 said:
To be fair, they still use the term on cameras with no shutters.
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That was what I (poorly described) meant by "vague technical term" - as in, "shutter speed" is used as a vague technical term when cameras don't have shutters.
 
freecom2 said:
That was what I (poorly described) meant by "vague technical term" - as in, "shutter speed" is used as a vague technical term when cameras don't have shutters.
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We tend to use "integration time" or "acquisition time" to describe this on our lab cameras without external shutters. Never really like the term "shutter speed" in any case - it's not a distance over time. And with the setting dial often giving "125" for "1/125s" and so on, surely "shutter rate" would be more accurate?

Yup, I'm feeling pedantic today :)
 
No problem! I actually don't think you were that inaccurate, considering what how these things are normally described. I do find it interesting how people are reinventing the wheel terminology-wise now that some new technology (e.g. micro 4/3rds style cameras) has come along!
 
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