How long does shutter really last?

[whattokingu]

I know most cameras' shutter are rated at around 150k-300k depending on body, brand, etc. But how long does it REALLY last. Has anyone busted their shutter before the electronics, etc start to fail 1st.

Or rather, which part of your camera usually fail 1st.

 

[Dream Merchant]

Honestly, that's like asking which part of the car die first ah? Do the tires really blow, or do the engine seize up first or the doors fall off?

Not being sarcastic but there are waaaaaaay TOOOOOOOOO many user variables involved.

 

[CS TAN]

This is something most people don't really care. Let me ask you to do something:
take your current shutter count: e.g 6,000
take how many month you have owned this camera: e.g. 10 months.
From that, you have an average shutter count of 600 per month.

You will need 250 months to reach 150,000 shutter count.

That will be 20.8 years in order to reach this Shutter Durability Rating. I for one will not be worry about it...

 

[catchlights]

I know most cameras' shutter are rated at around 150k-300k depending on body, brand, etc. But how long does it REALLY last. Has anyone busted their shutter before the electronics, etc start to fail 1st.

Or rather, which part of your camera usually fail 1st.

usually camera shutter very lasting, outlast many photographer's interest on his hobby.

and the rest of the photographers will change to newer model way before the old camera being fully utilize.

so, in one word, seeing camera shutter fail due to wear and tear is very rare. time to buy 4D and toto.

 

[Jed]

I know most cameras' shutter are rated at around 150k-300k depending on body, brand, etc. But how long does it REALLY last. Has anyone busted their shutter before the electronics, etc start to fail 1st.

The shutters are rated as MTBF which is only a guide. Theoretically if they test 100 units and 50 units last 300k activations and 50 units die on their first activation then the MTBF is still 150k...

Or rather, which part of your camera usually fail 1st.

As others have mentioned there are so many factors to take into consideration. I generally have problems with other bits before the shutters get screwed, but then I don't machine gun scenes despite my profession, and I shoot less than most of my peers. But compared to professionals in other branches I probably do shoot a large number of frames. Your shooting style (ie one at a time or long bursts), whether other areas of your camera get mistreated, and just sheer dumb luck are just various things to consider.

 

[Akatsuki]

Just shoot and try not to think too much

 

[Anson]

Just shoot and try not to think too much

Thinking of switching the Burst next time? :dunno:

 

[KY1977]

Makes me wonder why ppl complain when they found out their newly bought camera has 100+ shutter count.

 

[Keenblade]

Well... since in theory the rated lifespan for the shutter and mirror assembly is at 20000-30000 for a 450D and 1000D, there should be more detailed online sources for this information.

However, as the others mentioned... it also depends alot on your shooting style (are you a 'machine gunner'?), operating conditions (humidity, heat etc), care for equipment (do you drop it accidentally or not?) and so on.

Just some info for you to munch on =)

 

[CS TAN]

Well... since in theory the rated lifespan for the shutter and mirror assembly is at 20000-30000 for a 450D and 1000D, there should be more detailed online sources for this information.

However, as the others mentioned... it also depends alot on your shooting style (are you a 'machine gunner'?), operating conditions (humidity, heat etc), care for equipment (do you drop it accidentally or not?) and so on.

Just some info for you to munch on =)

450D and 1000D are rated at 100k according to http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-DSLR-Digital-Camera-Review.aspx

Here is an excerpt from it:
Model.........Shutter Durability Rating
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / 1000D 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i / 500D 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi / 450D 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D 50,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D 50,000
Canon EOS 50D 100,000
Canon EOS 40D 100,000
Canon EOS 30D 100,000
Canon EOS 20D 50,000
Canon EOS 7D 150,000
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 150,000
Canon EOS 5D 100,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 300,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 300,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N 200,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark III 300,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark II 200,000

 

[chalib]

Well... since in theory the rated lifespan for the shutter and mirror assembly is at 20000-30000 for a 450D and 1000D, there should be more detailed online sources for this information.

However, as the others mentioned... it also depends alot on your shooting style (are you a 'machine gunner'?), operating conditions (humidity, heat etc), care for equipment (do you drop it accidentally or not?) and so on.

Just some info for you to munch on =)

Lifespan for mirror? Where did you get this information from?

 

[Churchwolf]

Lifespan for mirror? Where did you get this information from?

It doesn't matter. The manufacturer lists these components as a single operating unit (ie. every shot requires all components to function correctly in order to capture the image). It isn't relevant if it is the shutter or the mirror assembly that gives out. 200k is 200k, doesn't matter how you look at it. Besides, as Keenblade pointed out, these are more like guides anyway. You don't throw out the milk or bread on the exact day that it says "expired" do you?! It's all about how you care for your equipment. Either you take the pics you want and just deal with it when it happens, or you stare at it in your dry cabinet and never take it out because you are too scared you might actually reach such a ridiculously high shutter count.

Me personally? I'll go with the fire and forget approach. I didn't spend so much money to use my camera as a hood-ornament.

 

[chalib]

It doesn't matter. The manufacturer lists these components as a single operating unit (ie. every shot requires all components to function correctly in order to capture the image). It isn't relevant if it is the shutter or the mirror assembly that gives out. 200k is 200k, doesn't matter how you look at it. Besides, as Keenblade pointed out, these are more like guides anyway. You don't throw out the milk or bread on the exact day that it says "expired" do you?! It's all about how you care for your equipment. Either you take the pics you want and just deal with it when it happens, or you stare at it in your dry cabinet and never take it out because you are too scared you might actually reach such a ridiculously high shutter count.

Me personally? I'll go with the fire and forget approach. I didn't spend so much money to use my camera as a hood-ornament.

It is ok that wrong information doesn't matter to you. But matter to most and should not mislead.

 

[Snoweagle]

I know most cameras' shutter are rated at around 150k-300k depending on body, brand, etc. But how long does it REALLY last. Has anyone busted their shutter before the electronics, etc start to fail 1st.

Or rather, which part of your camera usually fail 1st.

There's no prediction on when it'll fail as these are all mechanical parts. Take for example my ex 10D, got once i went to replace the shutter unit in which for 10D is rated around 60K to 80K shutter counts, but it failed again after less than 6K shots.

 

[2evans]

Quick, sell it before it breaks!

 

[Anson]

Quick, sell it before it breaks!

Note to myself, check the shutter count of dslr if I am buying from 2evans. :bsmilie: