Used DSLR

[irocfan]

a quick (hopefully not too silly!!) question regarding used DSLRs... the subject matter is 'click count'. Am I safe in equating this in motoring terms to the 'mileage' of the camera? Leading on from that what is an acceptably low/high number of clicks when considering a used camera? Are the Canons and Nikons of this world better than the rest? What other things should I be looking for if I decide to buy a DSLR?

Oh man - soooo many questions and variables - I suspect that buying a car might be easier!!!

[RobDickinson]

Mean time between failure.

Shutter may last half as long it 100,000's more.

Generally speaking low end cameras are mtf of 50k, then add you go up its 100k, 150k 250k for the bog pro bodies.

My 350d went way past its mtf

[flat-planedCrank]

irocfan said:

Are the Canons and Nikons of this world better than the rest? What other things should I be looking for if I decide to buy a DSLR?

I'd say they are most common and give you the most scope to buy accessories and lenses from a variety of manufacturers.

Would recommend looking at a used Canon / Nikon from the last few years. Probably from a place that does a warranty on used kit (such as http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/ )


What are you wanting the camera for? If it's general walk-around holiday photos then a smaller body may suit. However if you want it for trackday / motorsports stuff then it may be worth going for a more 'pro-sumer' model with more (and better) auto-focusing options.

[irocfan]

thanks for the info so far - much appreciated.

As for the usage question - there may be (VERY) limited motorsports (couple of times a year drag-racing). In the main though its duties are going to be holiday pics etc. I know I can get a perfectly good instant or bridge camera for this - I just fancy trying to see if I can get a little more out of the camera... learn what to do etc

[RobDickinson]

Almost every dSLR made is quality and will cream almost every P&S bar the new fuji/sonys etc in IQ.

Even the most basic has phase detect autofocus, my 350d was perfectly usable for sports and birds, just not as good as a whizzy top end model.

[damianmkv]

I used a d3100 and 70-300 for drag racing for 3 years pretty effectively, panning is tricky and takes a lot of practice

[Revol]

Try here for a rough guide. Think Nikon guarantee their higher spec bodies up to 100k actuations.

[The Jolly Todger]

Revol said:

Try here for a rough guide. Think Nikon guarantee their higher spec bodies up to 100k actuations.

The D4 shutter is rated to 400,000

Even my low-end D5100 is tested to 100,000

[Revol]

Knew it was a substantial amount.
My D80 is on 36k and my D200 about 50k, both going strong. I'm expecting the D200 to top 100k without problem.

In reply to the op I'd rather look at general condition of the camera than absolute shutter count and enquire if its been dropped or look for signs of misuse.

[ssaf]

irocfan said:

a quick (hopefully not too silly!!) question regarding used DSLRs... the subject matter is 'click count'. Am I safe in equating this in motoring terms to the 'mileage' of the camera? Leading on from that what is an acceptably low/high number of clicks when considering a used camera? Are the Canons and Nikons of this world better than the rest? What other things should I be looking for if I decide to buy a DSLR?

Oh man - soooo many questions and variables - I suspect that buying a car might be easier!!!

In my experience, actuations and shutter lifetime is more down to how the camera has been treated during it's lifetime than lifetime of the shutter itself. I had a 4 year old 50D (bought second hand) with 130k on the clock, did 10k in 2 days and died. New shutter mechanism and it clocked up 200k in 7 weeks without any problem whatsoever.

Same with an old 400D I used for testing. My original body was utterly abused, died at about 3 years old with 60k on the clock. My test/backup 400D had 10k on the clock when I bought it (I asked the previous owner), and in the 3-4 months that it was used for a project - it's now sitting at around 330,000 actuations!

So my conclusion is that shutter life is more based on abuse than it the actual shutter count. Look at the condition of the camera - pay attention to all the corners of the casing of the camera as that's where they take a beating.

Just to point out - replacement shutter and shutter button on the 50D was something like £150, so not exactly earth shattering.

[Simpo Two]

I wonder if using it on burst mode a lot decreases life?

[ssaf]

Simpo Two said:

I wonder if using it on burst mode a lot decreases life?

You don't think I shot 200k without using continuous once or twice?