Are Shutter Actuations the service history of your camera?
Discussion
I tried searching, but it took forever, the search gnomes must be at lunch.
After a very brief but happy affair with my very first DSLR the D40x, we have decided to part company by mutual consent.
Looking for my next upgrade, I have decided upon the entry level pro consumer D90, which should capture more detail in my shots. Prices vary between £400 and £600.
This brings me to Shutter Actuations, I know you can reset it via the firmware or service provider, but apart from an external examination, what else can you check that will give you an idea of how much use it has had? Is there a service interval for cameras? Would you use shutter actuations to negotiate price, so a body that has done 30k actuations is worth less than one that has done 15k?
Anyone heard of Parkcameras in sussex, what do you think of them and what do you think of the D90?
Thx
After a very brief but happy affair with my very first DSLR the D40x, we have decided to part company by mutual consent.
Looking for my next upgrade, I have decided upon the entry level pro consumer D90, which should capture more detail in my shots. Prices vary between £400 and £600.
This brings me to Shutter Actuations, I know you can reset it via the firmware or service provider, but apart from an external examination, what else can you check that will give you an idea of how much use it has had? Is there a service interval for cameras? Would you use shutter actuations to negotiate price, so a body that has done 30k actuations is worth less than one that has done 15k?
Anyone heard of Parkcameras in sussex, what do you think of them and what do you think of the D90?
Thx
I`ve used Parks quite abit. Decent firm, but incredibly busy in the shop on a saturday.
Personally re shutter accuations, I go more on the overall condition of the body than a stated number. I find it gives more of a feel of the type of ownership it's had. The proper with shutter accuations, is that it's only a guide I've heard of units that have failed waaaay before they should've.
Personally re shutter accuations, I go more on the overall condition of the body than a stated number. I find it gives more of a feel of the type of ownership it's had. The proper with shutter accuations, is that it's only a guide I've heard of units that have failed waaaay before they should've.
Shutter actuations make a nod towards mechanical life but don't inform what sort of workload the camera's undertaken.
I realise I'm an extreme example but my D80 is completely shagged at 18k actuations because I shoot mainly long exposures which cause the sensor to heat up and are a major cause of dead pixels. I'm also convinced it's way more noisy now than when new because of premature sensor 'wear'. There's no obvious clues from the condition of the body but you can look to see how much the cable release socket appears to have been used, and fire off a couple of underexposed snaps in the shop to make it easy to peep for hot pixels.
I realise I'm an extreme example but my D80 is completely shagged at 18k actuations because I shoot mainly long exposures which cause the sensor to heat up and are a major cause of dead pixels. I'm also convinced it's way more noisy now than when new because of premature sensor 'wear'. There's no obvious clues from the condition of the body but you can look to see how much the cable release socket appears to have been used, and fire off a couple of underexposed snaps in the shop to make it easy to peep for hot pixels.
IIRC Nikon stamps the shutter count in the EXIF data in the shots.You could save a few shots on one of your cards then check them at home before buying.
As far as I know there is no way to check shutter count from the camera itself.
Part of me prefers a camera that looks like its been used, if it was bought 5 years ago and has no visible signs of wear (slightly worn grip, scuff marks, etc.) then what is wrong with it? why was it in a cupboard all that time?
That being said, if it looks like someone has been using it to put nails in a garden fence then I'd give it a wide berth (or grab it for silly money
)
Cheers.
As far as I know there is no way to check shutter count from the camera itself.
Part of me prefers a camera that looks like its been used, if it was bought 5 years ago and has no visible signs of wear (slightly worn grip, scuff marks, etc.) then what is wrong with it? why was it in a cupboard all that time?
That being said, if it looks like someone has been using it to put nails in a garden fence then I'd give it a wide berth (or grab it for silly money
)AndWhyNot said:
Shutter actuations make a nod towards mechanical life but don't inform what sort of workload the camera's undertaken.
I realise I'm an extreme example but my D80 is completely shagged at 18k actuations because I shoot mainly long exposures which cause the sensor to heat up and are a major cause of dead pixels. I'm also convinced it's way more noisy now than when new because of premature sensor 'wear'. There's no obvious clues from the condition of the body but you can look to see how much the cable release socket appears to have been used, and fire off a couple of underexposed snaps in the shop to make it easy to peep for hot pixels.
I'm guessing that sort of issue might be something effecting only older cameras these days. With video being an 'essential' feature on most new DSLRs they must be much more resistant to prolonged sensor use.I realise I'm an extreme example but my D80 is completely shagged at 18k actuations because I shoot mainly long exposures which cause the sensor to heat up and are a major cause of dead pixels. I'm also convinced it's way more noisy now than when new because of premature sensor 'wear'. There's no obvious clues from the condition of the body but you can look to see how much the cable release socket appears to have been used, and fire off a couple of underexposed snaps in the shop to make it easy to peep for hot pixels.
Cheers.
flat-planedCrank said:
AndWhyNot said:
Stuff about sensor use
I'm guessing that sort of issue might be something effecting only older cameras these days. With video being an 'essential' feature on most new DSLRs they must be much more resistant to prolonged sensor use.Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff