Shutters

Standalone Shutters (Copal, Compur, Prontor, Ilex)

Photography is an intricate dance of light and technology, with shutters playing a pivotal role in orchestrating this delicate balance. In this article, we will delve into the realm of standalone shutters, such as Copal and Compur, exploring what makes them essential components for photographers seeking precision and control in their craft.

1. What is a Shutter?

At its essence, a camera shutter is the mechanical device responsible for controlling the duration of exposure. Standalone shutters, like Copal and Compur, are independent shutter units that can be mounted onto a lens. These precision instruments provide photographers with granular control over exposure time, motion capture, and creative expression.

2. How Shutters Are Used

2.1 Exposure Control:

Standalone shutters allow photographers to finely tune exposure times, influencing the amount of light that reaches the camera's film or image sensor. This level of control is crucial for achieving the desired brightness and clarity in a photograph.

2.2 Motion Capture:

With the ability to set precise shutter speeds, photographers can freeze fast-paced action or introduce intentional motion blur. This feature is particularly valuable in genres such as sports, wildlife, or creative photography.

2.3 Aperture and Depth of Field:

Standalone shutters work in tandem with aperture settings to determine the depth of field. By controlling the amount of light reaching the film or sensor and adjusting the aperture size, photographers can achieve a range of effects from a sharp focus on a single subject to a soft, dreamy background.

3. Most Common Standalone Shutters

3.1 Copal Shutters:

Copal shutters are renowned for their reliability and precision. Commonly used in medium and large format cameras, they offer a wide range of shutter speeds and aperture settings. The Copal brand is synonymous with quality craftsmanship, making it a favorite among discerning photographers.

3.2 Compur Shutters:

Compur shutters have a rich history and are celebrated for their smooth operation and durability. Found in many classic cameras, these shutters offer a variety of speed settings, providing photographers with flexibility in capturing the perfect shot.

3.3 Prontor Shutters:

While not as prevalent as Copal or Compur, Prontor shutters are notable for their compact design and reliable performance. Often used in folding cameras and rangefinders, Prontor shutters contribute to the portability and convenience of these systems.

In conclusion, standalone shutters are indispensable tools for photographers seeking precise control over their craft. Whether capturing fast action, controlling exposure in varying lighting conditions, or crafting a specific depth of field, the inclusion of standalone shutters enhances the photographer's ability to transform vision into a tangible, captivating image. With Copal, Compur, and other renowned brands, photographers have at their disposal a palette of possibilities to elevate their work to new heights.

Accessories for shutters

What you may need to use a lens with a shutter?

1. Front lens adapter

This type of adapter has a male thread corresponding to a shutter front cell thread size. The other side of the adapter usually has a female thread to accept your lens. It is easy to use - just connect a lens and shutter by means of the adapter between them.

2. Threaded mount adapter

This type of adapter is simple and reliable. Its front side has a female thread corresponding to a shutter male mount thread. The other side of the adapter varies - this can be a screw thread, bayonet mount, or just a flange for a large format camera. A drawback of this adapter type is unpredictable angular position in the final setup that may cause inconvenient location of the shutter controls.

3. Bore mount adapter

Unlike threaded adapters, these one have just a bore in the thin front wall, and you need a retaining ring to secure a shutter in such an adapter. The positive side is that you can choose any angular shutter position, and its controls will be located in the most convenient place for you.

4. Retaining ring

This ring is necessary to secure a shutter in the lens board. If you don't have the native retaining ring, you may need to buy a 3rd party one.

5. Dummy shutter replacement

This is a very specific case when you've got a special 2-part lens installed into a shutter, but don't need the shutter itself. You can remove the lens front and rear cells from the shutter and install them into such a dummy adapter. It will have the same optical length as the shutter, but no any controls. This may be useful when you have another shutter in your setup already, and don't want to add the second one.

Some key dimensions of the most common shutters:

	#00 (Compur)	#0 (Compur, Copal, Copal Press,  Prontor)	#1 (Compur, Copal, Copal Press, Prontor)	#2 (Compur)	#3S (Copal)	#3 (Compur, Copal, Prontor)
Front cell thread	M22.5x0.5	M29.5x0.5	M40x0.75	M45.75x0.75	M56x0.75	M58x0.75
Rear cell thread	M22.5x0.5	M29.5x0.5	M36x0.75	M45.75x0.75	M56x0.75	M58x0.75
Rear mount thread	M25x0.5	M32.5x0.5	M39x0.75	M50x0.9	M61x0.75	M62x0.75
Lens board hole Ø	26.3mm	34.6mm	41.6mm	52.5mm	64.1mm	65mm