Cyberkinesis70 Loc: Northern Colorado

Wow, another reminder of how old I am. I remember watching "Mr. Peepers" on my daddy's Muntz TV.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍. The rated shutter count tells you nothing about how long the shutter will actually last, and i’d be much more concerned about how the camera was taken care of. I’d take a pristine camera with a high shutter count every time over a low shutter count one that had obvious signs of being treated roughly. A shutter replacement may be ~$300, but rough abuse can decrease a camera’s value much more.

Rickoshay Loc: Southern California

For my 80D I use an app that is available from eosmsg.com. Apparently some of the "newer" Canons have firmware that cannot be read by many of the solutions mentioned above. But I don't worry about shutter count. If the shutter fails it will give me justification to take a proposal to my "financial manager". She would most certainly approve the purchase otherwise I would just hang around the house and be in her way.

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

It's not part of the EXIF data on Canon DSLRs.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Shutter life is determined by the Brand and Model of the camera. While most DSLRs have at least 100,000+ clicks before failure. The higher priced professional cameras, such as the Canon 1DX Mark 2, and the Nikon D5, are capable of getting upwards to 400.000 clicks. And you only replace the shutter when it fails. As mentioned in a preview thread.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

True...

If a DIGITAL camera is over five years old, replacing the shutter may not make any sense at all. It may be wiser to buy a newer model. Where I worked, we used hundreds of mid-range Canons (EOS 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, and 50D). After five years, we would usually replace any camera that failed. It was worth it to have newer technology.

When we were budgeting to replace several hundred long-roll portrait cameras (Camerz ZII and ZIII models), we considered buying heavy duty Canons. Then we realized that we could by three or four mid-range bodies for the cost of one top-end Canon. We also realized that the top end model would not make a better portrait than the midrange model. Then we realized that the "pro" model would last so long that it would be obsolete well before it died. Heck, as it was, we replaced a few repairable 20D and 30D Canons with 40D and 50D models.

At some point, manufacturers stop making parts for older bodies, so repairs become difficult or impossible. At the same time, the newer cameras have features we're already drooling over. So personally, if a five-year old camera costs more than $250 to repair, I'll consider replacing it. If it has reached its estimated MTBF (mean time before failure) rating, I WILL replace it. If it reaches 7 years old, I WILL replace it.

It's not 1973 any more... Most cameras are not meant to be used for more than a few years.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Many of your arguments were based on cost effectiveness for a business which may differ from the needs of an individual. In the end, it may depend on the camera in question. If, for instance, you have a Canon 5D Mark III that's meeting your needs and the shutter fails, the cost of Canon replacing the shutter is between $250 and $300. The cost of a used or refurbished 5D Mark III can be around three or more times as much, and upgrading to a Canon 5D Mark IV will cost you ten times as much. For many people it would be a pretty easy decision to get the shutter repaired. However, when you are considering that expense for an old lower end or entry level body that may have only cost $500 to say $750 to start with, obviously the decision to replace the shutter is much more problematic.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I completely concur. Old camera technology is not like new electronics in terms of longevity or usability. The world has changed, and cameras are consumer electronics not mechanical devices. The life cycles are different. My old Zenit E and Canon AE-1 are just fine, as is my Canon T90. I haven't had problems with my modern Canon DSLRs, but they do go obsolete as personal computers or mobile phones do.

This is today's world.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Of course, the example of a 5D III shutter replacement is a bit different. Whether in business or at home, I'd probably do the same thing... Get the shutter repaired, if the camera is otherwise in good shape. But it IS a 7-year old model. A few years from now, I probably wouldn't repair it. Canon probably won't stock parts for it past ten years, anyway. Most likely, in 2022, I would get something much better or as good... for much less.

The bodies the original poster mentioned are no where near to being in the same league, so it is a more difficult decision for some folks. It may be smart to TRADE or donate old camera bodies to a school before shutter life (etc.) becomes an issue.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yep! In Film World, we "upgraded our films" when the film manufacturer released a new or improved version. For most purposes, existing cameras worked equally well with all of the "new sensors."

2666loco

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/nikon_d700.htm

Here is a database I found with regards to my Nikon D700's (2)

User ID

Indicates that at 100,000 to 150,000
a D700 should be retired to back-up
service, or if D700 is used as primary
a back-up body ought to be on hand.

And that beyond 200,000 you are on
rather thin ice.

.