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Camera Shutter Count (life expectancy)
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Feb 1, 2017 13:25:43   #
DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA
 
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter life or durability. I had never given any thought to a camera's shutter life, just assumed the shutter would continue to function as long as I had the camera. In that article, it was mentioned that you wouldn't buy a used car without knowing the milage, and you wouldn't buy a used camera without knowing the shutter count. So, looking up my Nikon D7200's estimated shutter life, I see its factory rated at 150,000 cycles. Curious, I used the website: https://www.camerashuttercount.com to see how many times I've snapped the shutter. Come to find out, I've taken over 380,000 photos within a 2 year period. That count seemed unbelievably high. I used two other shutter count websites and found the same count. According to another website I am way over my shutter's life expectancy: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/ Anyone else have similar results? Was I just lucky to get that many shots? Does this mean I really ought to give more consideration to buying that D500 I've been eyeing? Thanks.

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Feb 1, 2017 13:38:00   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
DJD wrote:
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter life or durability. I had never given any thought to a camera's shutter life, just assumed the shutter would continue to function as long as I had the camera. In that article, it was mentioned that you wouldn't buy a used car without knowing the milage, and you wouldn't buy a used camera without knowing the shutter count. So, looking up my Nikon D7200's estimated shutter life, I see its factory rated at 150,000 cycles. Curious, I used the website: https://www.camerashuttercount.com to see how many times I've snapped the shutter. Come to find out, I've taken over 380,000 photos within a 2 year period. That count seemed unbelievably high. I used two other shutter count websites and found the same count. According to another website I am way over my shutter's life expectancy: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/ Anyone else have similar results? Was I just lucky to get that many shots? Does this mean I really ought to give more consideration to buying that D500 I've been eyeing? Thanks.
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter l... (show quote)

If it works nothing to worry. The expectancy is just that. More? Good. Less? Tough if the warranty has expired.

As to buying a D500, if your only reason is based on your D7200 'life', don't.

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Feb 1, 2017 13:40:46   #
LEGALDR Loc: Southern California
 
Here is my philosophy.................if I like the camera that I am using....I continue to use it. If it breaks down, that what "back-up" cameras are for. If it is cost effective, I have the camera repaired. If it is not cost effective, I replace the camera. If I want a new camera regardless of the condition of the cameras in the stable, that's GAS. Your call...!

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Feb 1, 2017 13:43:07   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Let's look at some simple math. If you had the camera for 3 calendar years, shot 1000 images per week (roughly the RAW capacity of a 32GB card) and you did this every week for 50 of the 52 weeks every year for these three years, you'd be at 150,000 exactly ...

Does that describe your camera usage? And you said two years of ownership.

Just like cars, the camera does not typically stop working when the odometer crosses a certain threshold. As you said, everyone should be aware of the mileage on the equipment before purchasing used. But, unless you're shooting sports professionally on a full-time 50-week schedule, your usage statistic seems more than extremely high ... if in fact accurate.

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Feb 1, 2017 14:17:54   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
The published 150,000 shutter activation is what is known in the industry as MTBF Mean Time Between Failures. So Nikon Engineering, after extensive over the top destructive testing, "rates" the shutter at 150,000 activations. I know somebody with a Toyota Prius, where the battery is allegedly only good for 100,000 miles, with 350,000 miles on the original battery.

This site, from the photographer Oleg Kikin, has the following chart for a D7200 and expected shutter cycles:

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/nikon_d7200.htm

Which is very difficult to read, but I think there's a 42% chance your camera is good for > 500,000 clicks.

My D810 has a 34% chance of lasting for over 1 million shutter clicks, so I win!

So, you slacker, go out and take 180,000 more photographs and report back to us!

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Feb 1, 2017 14:19:26   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Just like cars, the camera does not typically stop working when the odometer crosses a certain threshold.


Oh yeah? Remember the Chevy Vega?

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Feb 1, 2017 15:17:35   #
SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
 
The 150,000 cycles is what it's been tested to, NOT it's life expectancy...

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Feb 1, 2017 21:19:31   #
Jim Bob
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Oh yeah? Remember the Chevy Vega?


Yeah. I used to own one. Loved that baby.

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Feb 1, 2017 21:34:49   #
jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Oh yeah? Remember the Chevy Vega?


I sure do. Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins had 2 that he raced and won NHRA Champoinships with.

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Feb 1, 2017 21:41:14   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
DJD wrote:
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter life or durability. I had never given any thought to a camera's shutter life, just assumed the shutter would continue to function as long as I had the camera. In that article, it was mentioned that you wouldn't buy a used car without knowing the milage, and you wouldn't buy a used camera without knowing the shutter count. So, looking up my Nikon D7200's estimated shutter life, I see its factory rated at 150,000 cycles. Curious, I used the website: https://www.camerashuttercount.com to see how many times I've snapped the shutter. Come to find out, I've taken over 380,000 photos within a 2 year period. That count seemed unbelievably high. I used two other shutter count websites and found the same count. According to another website I am way over my shutter's life expectancy: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/ Anyone else have similar results? Was I just lucky to get that many shots? Does this mean I really ought to give more consideration to buying that D500 I've been eyeing? Thanks.
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter l... (show quote)


Not sure how old you are, but the average life expectancy in the US is 78.74 years. Should you be shopping for a new body? None of us ever stop eyeing new bodies!

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Feb 1, 2017 21:45:27   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Oh yeah? Remember the Chevy Vega?


Much better than the Chevy Nova, especially when trying to travel in Mexico!

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Feb 1, 2017 21:48:55   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
DJD wrote:
Does this mean I really ought to give more consideration to buying that D500 I've been eyeing? Thanks.


No, it does not mean you should be giving more consideration to buying a new camera.

ON THE OTHER HAND

If you want to use that revelation as an excuse to buy a new D500, who are we to stop you.

--

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Feb 2, 2017 06:15:47   #
DaveHam Loc: Reading UK
 
The shutter count quoted by manufacturers is a suggested life expectancy based upon the design and the testing employed. It is not a guarantee, a minimum or a maximum. I sold a D200 a couple of years ago with a count of 300,000+, and it is still working with the same shutter. One D800 we use is 80000 actuations above the quoted count.
If the camera is still working it's fine. If not then hope it is still in warranty.

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Feb 2, 2017 06:26:56   #
CMan1
 
Note from the Camera Shutter Count site. Your camera doesn't add shutter count information to images.
Oh well I gave it a try. Canon 70 D.

Thanks,
CMan1

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Feb 2, 2017 06:35:06   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
DJD wrote:
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter life or durability. I had never given any thought to a camera's shutter life, just assumed the shutter would continue to function as long as I had the camera. In that article, it was mentioned that you wouldn't buy a used car without knowing the milage, and you wouldn't buy a used camera without knowing the shutter count. So, looking up my Nikon D7200's estimated shutter life, I see its factory rated at 150,000 cycles. Curious, I used the website: https://www.camerashuttercount.com to see how many times I've snapped the shutter. Come to find out, I've taken over 380,000 photos within a 2 year period. That count seemed unbelievably high. I used two other shutter count websites and found the same count. According to another website I am way over my shutter's life expectancy: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/ Anyone else have similar results? Was I just lucky to get that many shots? Does this mean I really ought to give more consideration to buying that D500 I've been eyeing? Thanks.
I recently read an article on a camera's shutter l... (show quote)


Everything is relative you know, life has a way of averaging out, so good luck on your next camera. That said, I have never yet worn out a shutter. Digital cameras are evolving so fast I never hold on to one more than 4 years so I have yet to venture to the limits of shutter counts although I have come close, especially on my new D500 that shots at 10 fps, boy, can you add to the shutter count in a hurry. As the proud owner of a D500 one of the first things you will notice about it is how much better it is in low light than your current model. Good hunting.

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