PulseHPT

PulseHPT 3-in-1 Shutter Speed Tester

Purchase

Discord

Instructions

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PulseHPT is a compact shutter speed tester for vintage cameras.

Quick and easy measurement from multiple sources:

• Hot Shoe
• PC Socket
• Light Sensor
  • Built-in & External
  • Leaf Shutter: All Speeds
  • Focal Plane Shutter: Within Flash Sync

Ideal for in-the-field testing of unknown cameras

Highlights

• Compact & Portable

• Multiple Sources

• Microsecond Accuracy

• 20-hour battery / 4000 measurements

Buy One / Discussions

• United Kingdom: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365904291256

• Rest of the world: https://www.tindie.com/products/33002/

Discord chatroom for questions and discussions. Or email dekuNukem@gmail.com .

User Manual

• Battery

• Hot Shoe

• PC Socket

• Built-in Light Sensor

• External Light Sensor

Battery

• CR2032

• Positive (+) side up

• ⚠️ Slide UNDER the catch!

Measurement: Hot Shoe

• Insert into hot shoe
• Slide switch to ON
• Select a speed
  • Leaf Shutter: All Speeds
  • Focal Plane Shutter: Within Flash Sync Speed
• Wind and release the shutter

💭 If nothing happens, press down to ensure good contact.

⚠️ Beware of caveats! Read below.

How it works

When taking a photo, the flash sync signal activates, and remains active until shutter is closed.

Thus the approximate shutter speed can be measured.

Caveats

• Flash sync fires only when shutter is fully open.

• Thus at higher speeds, the measured speed can be faster than real speed.

• Works best with earlier mostly-mechanical cameras.

• For most accurate result, use the light sensor method.

Measurement: PC Socket

• Use a common PC socket to 3.5mm Jack Cable

• Plug into PC socket, and the other end in the tester.

• ⚠️ ⚠️ Make sure to use X Sync socket / option!

• Slide switch to ON
• Select a speed
  • Leaf Shutter: All Speeds
  • Focal Plane Shutter: Within Flash Sync Speed
• Wind and release the shutter

💭 If nothing happens, apply GENTLE pressure on the PC socket to ensure good contact.

⚠️ Same caveats as hot shoe!

Measurement: Light Sensor

• Most accurate
• Two Sources
  • Built-in Sensor: Easiest to Use
  • External Sensor: More Consistent Setup

Built-in Light Sensor

This feature was added on a recent hardware revision.

Check that your tester has this option.

It should stick out on the left-hand side.

Slide light sensor source switch to INTERAL position.

Shine a bright light into the sensor.

It should trigger and give a measurement.

Now you know how bright the light needs to be.

To test:

• Remove lens if possible
• Largest aperture otherwise
• Shine light from front
• Place tester near the center of film gate
• Fire shutter
  • Leaf Shutter: All Speeds
  • Focal Plane Shutter: Within Flash Sync Speed

External Light Sensor

Requires more setup, but can be more consistent. Also suitable for hard-to-reach places.

• Locate the connector on bottom-left corner.

• SLOWLY and GENTLY push the black tab outwards to unlock.

• Insert the ribbon cable metal contact side up all the way in

• Push the tab back in to lock

• Do the same on the sensor side

• Slide Source Switch to EXTERNAL

With light sensor connected, let’s do a quick test!

• Briefly shine a bright light on the sensor

• Result will be shown

• Now you know how bright the light needs to be

Use double side tape, mount the sensor on a vertical surface, e.g. a box.

• Test without lens if possible
• Largest aperture otherwise
• Sensor behind shutter
• Shine light
• If possible, use Bulb mode to ensure sensor is at the center of the light circle.

• Fire shutter
  • Leaf Shutter: All Speeds
  • Focal Plane Shutter: Within Flash Sync Speed

Questions or Comments?

Discord chatroom for questions and discussions. Or email dekuNukem@gmail.com .