Canon shutter inspection and adjustment tool


Shutter calibration

The tool is designed to work directly with the shutter mechanism of Canon cameras 5D Mark3 and Mark 4. Used for troubleshooting repairs, quick adjustment of mechanics after repair or replacement. You can check the integrity of the nodes, assess the quality of their work, correctly configure tension of the springs of the mechanism to the original state of the parameters. It provides uniform exposure of the frame over the entire exposure range. Canon's factory default reference values are embedded in the software.


Button: Check Hardware

An automatic check of the health of the nodes is carried out:

1. The integrity of the shutter motor.
2. Serviceability of optical shutter sensors .
3. Phase sensor of the mechanism position.
4. Integrity of electromagnets.

Button: Initialize Shutter

Armed the shutter and charges the release electromagnets. In manual mode press this button first. Otherwise, the opening will not work and closing the curtains. After finishing work, do not forget to reset both curtains, so that the springs of the mechanism do not weaken during long-term storage.

Button: Open frame

Opens the shutter window. Manual lower curtain release.
The sync signal is available on pin H7 on the PCB adapter.

Button: Close frame

Closes the shutter window. Manual lower curtain release.
The sync signal is available on pin H8 on the PCB adapter.

Button: One Shot

The shutter is armed and a single release is performed. From pins H7, H8 of the adapter board you can remove the synchronization signal and see the passage of control pulses electromagnets and the operation of optical sensors with an oscilloscope.

Control group: Shutter Calibration

Here is the selection of the spring tension and comparison with the factory settings. You should choose in the combo-box which sample you need to configure:

1. Original Canon setup
This is the original factory setting of the new camera.

2. The most accurate
This is a mathematically correct setting based on theoretical calculating the operation of the mechanism.

From pins H7, H8 of the adapter board, you can remove the synchronization signal for oscilloscope and see the passage of electromagnet control pulses, operation of optical and phase sensors.

After pressing the button Run Calibration parameters are being measured exposure and compare with the selected setting. Results are displayed in text form in the message box. On line indicators Top/Bot side spring tension error the amount of deviation from exemplary settings and recommendations in which direction to tighten the springs. If now go to the 1st tab of the Mechanical analyzer program, then you can see timing diagrams of digital outputs of optical sensors.

By taking measurements and adjusting the springs several times, you will quickly and accurately adjust medium exposure shutter. The work results can be saved pressing the button Save. Then look at the report files in the program directory.

Control group: Shutter Tests

After calibration, a shutter performance check should be performed for short exposures and serial shooting. This will ensure that there are no disruptions and even exposure of the frame in the entire range of shutter speeds.

In the combo-box select the required check mode:

1. Standard testing
Performs sequential shutter releases on all standard durations described in the documentation for the camera. Number of operating cycles can be set in the Edit Box next to the mode selection. Taking this test will be enough for an ordinary user's camera.

2. Serial shooting and HDR
A set of procedures honed for fast burst or HDR shooting is performed. Selection of reliable valves for high-speed conditions. Sports, reportage, etc cases.

3. Extreme speed test
A set of procedures is performed to determine the maximum achievable boundaries the speed of the mechanism and its stability. In this mode, it is possible mechanical overload of parts, if you notice anomalous behavior of the shutter, stop the test immediately by pressing the button Stop.

After pressing the button Run Test measurement, averaging and recording in progress cycle parameters. Then there is a comparison with the reference data of the mechanism. The results are displayed as text in the message box. If it will be a deviation of more than +/- 5% from the ideal is detected, the program will give recommendations which should be further checked. The results of the work can be save by clicking the button Save.

PC connection

Order and use our adapter. The software will not be able to work without it. In the figure below, the green rectangles indicate the connectors for connection shutter. Green ovals - control points for external measuring appliances, if necessary. You can connect extension cables to them, so that it is convenient to work with the shutter directly in the camera. 15cm cables are included with the adapter.



Documentation
A detailed electrical diagram is included with the adapter upon purchase. In the program directory you can find a chm file, which describes the configuration of the connection to the camera and the function of the buttons. The description is available when the button is pressed Help.

The application does not automatically check for new updates, if you wish, you should do it yourself. Description and example of shutter repair: Canon 5D Mark3 Err 20

Staff
To work, you just need to buy an adapter board and download the software. If you are using specific connectors, purchase adapters in advance.

Buy

Due to the lack of components, production only to direct order
Approximate cost of the device: $80 (without shipping)

Download software and driver

Application download:
CMA exe

Download CDM driver:
USB PC connection driver
USB driver installation help

Download adapter update: ver1.2
Firmware file

Circuits and chips:
5DM3 shutter controller sch
5DM3 controller chip BD65493FV