The following instructions are on making a cheap photographic shutter for a quarter-plate stand camera. In a piece of wood (A, Fig. 2) cut a hole B to fit the lens. This may be made to fit directly on to the lens tube with the hood removed. Cut from thin, perfectly fiat metal a piece of the shape and size of Fig. 1, and make in it small holes C, D, E, and a large opening F. Cut and turn up a piece at G to form a hook for the elastic band H. Fasten this to A by a pin through E, and place a stop - a triangular piece of wood - at I, and through it a hook of wire K. Now form the catch shown in section in Fig. 3, and fasten firmly with a staple at L. The lower part acts as a spring and keeps the point M (Fig. 3) tight in the hole D. To set the shutter, pull it round till the point M catches in D, as shown in Fig. 2. To release the shutter, press the spring catch. If the spring is lightly pressed, the point JI will be arrested by the hole C, and the shutter will stop half-way for a time exposure. For different exposures, different bauds must be used to vary the strength of the pull.

A Cheap Photographic Shutter.