What to do once you've reached your camera's maximum shutter actuations: So far, I've hit my shutter a bit over 40,000 times on my Nikon D500. The literature says most sub-professional...

Traveller_Jeff

So far, I've hit my shutter a bit over 40,000 times on my Nikon D500. The literature says most sub-professional Nikons are good for 150,000-200,000 shutter actuations, and the pro's are good up to about 400,000. My question is: Can the camera's shutter mechanism be replaced at that point? Is it like putting in a new set of tires on a car, or more like replacing the whole engine? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input you can offer.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

I would say: keep shooting.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I would keep using it until it dies. At that point get an estimate what it would cost to get it up and running again. Than you can decide if it is worth it or perhaps get a refurbished same model.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

So far, I've hit my shutter a bit over 40,000 times on my Nikon D500. The literature says most sub-professional Nikons are good for 150,000-200,000 shutter actuations, and the pro's are good up to about 400,000. My question is: Can the camera's shutter mechanism be replaced at that point? Is it like putting in a new set of tires on a car, or more like replacing the whole engine? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input you can offer.

You shutter may never fail, and, if it does, replacement is not a big deal. Don't know what the exact price might be but from what others have stated it would seem that $200 to $400 would do the trick. Most people end up buying a new camera before their shutter wears out anyway. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

dandi wrote:

I would say: keep shooting.

It took about 250,000 actuations before my Canon 40D started making "funny" noises. I then purchased a new body and just kept the 40D as a backup. It has seen very little use since then.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, the shutter assembly can be replaced.
At which point, depending on when:
- Are replacement parts available?
- Would it be more cost effective to replace the camera?

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

It is like saying a specific car is good for 200,000 miles. When you get there, you don't stop driving, keep it going and see what the true limit is then worry about it!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

So far, I've hit my shutter a bit over 40,000 times on my Nikon D500. The literature says most sub-professional Nikons are good for 150,000-200,000 shutter actuations, and the pro's are good up to about 400,000. My question is: Can the camera's shutter mechanism be replaced at that point? Is it like putting in a new set of tires on a car, or more like replacing the whole engine? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input you can offer.

Forty thousand for a D500 makes it for all practical purposes makes it a moderately used camera. I've got 125K on my 4 and 1/2 year old Canon 7D Mark II and can reasonably expect at least another 75-100K before I have to start worrying about it. Assuming you haven't shot the entire 40K images in just a few months, you have plenty of time before you need to be concerned about the shutter box failing. Obviously the more you shoot in any period the faster you will reach, and bypass, the expected shutter life. The D500 has a shutter life expectancy of 200,000 actuations. And when it does fail, assuming it ever does, then you can make a decision whether to replace or repair.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

My question is: Can the camera's shutter mechanism be replaced at that point?

You can replace it, but I don't think it makes much sense to do so while it is still working. You don't really know how long the shutter will actually last, nor do you know if a new shutter will even last as long as the original. And the figures are only based on reported shutter failures and rough estimates.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Don't sweat it as other have said. You'll likely be just fine for a considerable period of time. Heck I still have a 1969 Nikon F that's on its third shutter and is starting to act up but is manageable, but alas no more parts anywhere in the US. Go forth and enjoy.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

Me too, 40000 ain’t that much, I’ve got about 15-16000 pict on file it means that I have taken at least twice that much

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Country Boy wrote:

It is like saying a specific car is good for 200,000 miles. When you get there, you don't stop driving, keep it going and see what the true limit is then worry about it!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rook2c4 wrote:

You can replace it, but I don't think it makes much sense to do so while it is still working. You don't really know how long the shutter will actually last, nor do you know if a new shutter will even last as long as the original. And the figures are only based on reported shutter failures and rough estimates.

(And those numbers are predicted averages.)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

So far, I've hit my shutter a bit over 40,000 times on my Nikon D500. The literature says most sub-professional Nikons are good for 150,000-200,000 shutter actuations, and the pro's are good up to about 400,000. My question is: Can the camera's shutter mechanism be replaced at that point? Is it like putting in a new set of tires on a car, or more like replacing the whole engine? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable input you can offer.

You have a long way to go, just keep shooting until it fails or you get GAS for the latest super duper new model camera out there.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Especially don't stress yourself out worrying when it is still that far from the projected life.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

robertjerl wrote:

You have a long way to go, just keep shooting until it fails or you get GAS for the latest super duper new model camera out there.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Especially don't stress yourself out worrying when it is still that far from the projected life.