Shutter Life

[JDRoest]

Can someone (probably RD) tell me what actually breaks down with the shutter (on a DSLR obviously).

For instance, my old 400D reached about 60k before Err99 killed that body. My personal 400D is probably over 50k by now, and the 400D body I'm using for this project has done around 90k in the last 6 weeks (and probably 95k lifetime) - it'll be getting another 3-4k today I'd imagine.

The 400D is rated for 50k.

But what actually stipulates the lifetime of the shutter mechanism?

[tim-b]

JDRoest said:

Can someone (probably RD) tell me what actually breaks down with the shutter (on a DSLR obviously).

For instance, my old 400D reached about 60k before Err99 killed that body. My personal 400D is probably over 50k by now, and the 400D body I'm using for this project has done around 90k in the last 6 weeks (and probably 95k lifetime) - it'll be getting another 3-4k today I'd imagine.

The 400D is rated for 50k.

But what actually stipulates the lifetime of the shutter mechanism?

Can't really answer your question, but I've heard that Err99 is a general error code and doesn't relate to a specific fault, so your 400D's issue may not be shutter related.

[Simpo Two]

Well if you're shooting RAW that's the rest of your life accounted for!

[JDRoest]

Simpo Two said:

Well if you're shooting RAW that's the rest of your life accounted for!

Not on this current project, camera would never keep up for a start. And the software side of the project is already killing me, let alone saying 'heck, here are 100k raw files this month'. Erm, no lol.

[jimmy156]

I've just had to have the shutter replaced after around 30,000 clicks on my 50d, which i think should have been rated to 100,000.

Its just bad luck i think, some go early some go on forever.

[markmullen]

I bought a 1Ds which needed a new shutter, it had done 242,000 shots before it needed it.

[Famous Graham]

My 1D MkII N is on about 300k.

Should probably get it serviced really

[2slo]

A useful listing of actual shutter life on various cameras here: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/sitemap.php

A couple of 7Ds on there which have apparently made it into 6 figures (and plenty of others which haven't)

Edited by 2slo on Monday 6th August 16:39

[itsnotarace]

JDRoest said:

Can someone (probably RD) tell me what actually breaks down with the shutter (on a DSLR obviously).

Well it can be mechanical or electronic failure with the former being much more likely as it's a very fast moving part. It can either get jammed in position, or the mechanism that raises and lowers it can break

Sounds like you Canon users get a bum deal My D200 lasted 217700 shots before failure

[JDRoest]

itsnotarace said:

Well it can be mechanical or electronic failure with the former being much more likely as it's a very fast moving part. It can either get jammed in position, or the mechanism that raises and lowers it can break

Wondering whether it's the treatment of the camera overall to be honest. Little bash here and there, and things get knocked out of alignment, and as you say, it's a fast moving part that probably doesn't have much tolerance.

[14-7]

2slo said:

A couple of 7Ds on there which have apparently made it into 6 figures (and plenty of others which haven't)

I didn't think that the 7D counted shutter activations?

[2slo]

14-7 said:

2slo said:

A couple of 7Ds on there which have apparently made it into 6 figures (and plenty of others which haven't)

I didn't think that the 7D counted shutter activations?

Well that was my understanding too, but I have read that certain 3rd party software can extract the data. Based on the no of 7Ds quoted on the shutter count site, that would appear to be correct. It would make sense if that data was able to be obtained. At the very least you'd expect Canon would want to know when their shutters fail (seeing as how they like to quote life expectancy of shutters on all their DSLRs)

Edited by 2slo on Tuesday 7th August 11:51

[JDRoest]

Just a quick update to this thread (no one ever does update their threads!) - but the body in question - an old 400D is now pushing 140k actuations with me in the last 7 weeks, and not a single problem. Not bad for a body rated for 50k. (Not including the 10k actuations with the previous owner). It still has maybe another 30-40k to go on this project, but I'm hopeful!

Needless to say, the 3 backup 400Ds in my bag haven't been touched lol.

[Gad-Westy]

itsnotarace said:

Well it can be mechanical or electronic failure with the former being much more likely as it's a very fast moving part. It can either get jammed in position, or the mechanism that raises and lowers it can break

Sounds like you Canon users get a bum deal My D200 lasted 217700 shots before failure

Funnily enough I had a D200 that went 200k plus as well. Also had a D5000 that lasted 10k but we don't need to talk about that

[AndrewEH1]

JDRoest said:

Just a quick update to this thread (no one ever does update their threads!) - but the body in question - an old 400D is now pushing 140k actuations with me in the last 7 weeks, and not a single problem. Not bad for a body rated for 50k. (Not including the 10k actuations with the previous owner). It still has maybe another 30-40k to go on this project, but I'm hopeful!

Needless to say, the 3 backup 400Ds in my bag haven't been touched lol.

What the hell are you up to? Sounds interesting to say the least...

[JDRoest]

AndrewEH1 said:

What the hell are you up to? Sounds interesting to say the least...

Event photography. Human tripod. I am to photography what McDonalds is to fine wine.

[tog]

JDRoest said:

Event photography. Human tripod. I am to photography what McDonalds is to fine wine.

If you're holding the camera that much each day you must be very grateful it's not as heavy as a 1D-type!

I had a shutter fail an a 1DMarkII some years ago. It was a complete mechanical failure - I took the lens off to see why it had stopped working and one glance inside told me it was borked! I don't recall exactly, but it was well under 50k actuations. Warranty job obviously.

[JDRoest]

tog said:

JDRoest said:

Event photography. Human tripod. I am to photography what McDonalds is to fine wine.

If you're holding the camera that much each day you must be very grateful it's not as heavy as a 1D-type!

I had a shutter fail an a 1DMarkII some years ago. It was a complete mechanical failure - I took the lens off to see why it had stopped working and one glance inside told me it was borked! I don't recall exactly, but it was well under 50k actuations. Warranty job obviously.

400D with grip and 15-85, and it's weight is getting on a bit, although probably not 1D weight. Chatting to a cyclist the other week, we compared the weight of the camera to his bike. His bike was significantly lighter!