JD750 Loc: SoCal

Some digital cameras have a sensor shield (and it looks a like the shutter) that can be enabled to close at power off or alternately to stay open at power off. On some cameras the default is OPEN.

Those of you who have cameras with such options or have strong opinions about such a feature, please post your thoughts. I will start.

I wonder why the default state is "shield open at power off"?

I think a sensor shield is good when changing lenses, however does the shield need to close every time the camera is turned off, when not changing lenses? If the shield really is the shutter, then that probably adds to the shutter count.

The shield does not relieve the user of adhering to proper lens changing hygiene.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Something else to break?
New gee-whiz-bang thingy?
Sales gimmick?

So when the shield gets dirty, does the dirt fall on the sensor? Behind it?

Bill_de Loc: US

Similar discussions from 7 yrars ago.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4221153

DSLR's have mirrors that act as a shield.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Closing the shutter when off does nothing to shutter count.
All your DSLRs do this if you look. And you never worried about it.
Different models of mirrorless close when off, very few, most stay open.
All depends on the maker's design decisions.
So get the camera you want and don't worry just be smart if changing lenses.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

JD750 Loc: SoCal

DSLR‘s have mirrors that throw little drops of oil everywhere and stir up dust.

My DSLRs needed regular sensor cleaning service about every 6m. Yet I have never cleaned my mirrorless cameras sensors. Because they don’t need cleaning. Nothing showing up on pics, the reference pics or visible when inspected. 🤔

YMMV.

Good riddance to that mirror!!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I did look and none of my DSLRs closed the shutter when turned off. Maybe it’s a brand dependent function.

I agree about being careful when changing lenses.

Bill_de Loc: US

If I remember correctly the D700 series had the oil problem.
I never had the issue with any of my Nikon DSLS. My oldest 2, still in use, are a D7200 and D4s

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User ID

Shutter clicks count ??!?!? Reeeeeeeeally ?!?
Even if youre foolishly abusing your on-off switch to extend the battery cycle its nothing, count-wise. Id rather extend the life of the switch than life of the battery.

I do have the shield enabled. I also leave the power switched on for extended periods. I dont turn it off unless Im fully done with the camera for the day, or night, or afternoon etc. Acoarst I do switch off to swap lenses altho I seldom swap lenses since I usually have only the one.

Even if I became fanatical about switching off after each subject, a subject is for me can be 50 to 150 frames, so one more shutter click for powering off would hardly matter.

Maybe some users prowl around for hours to decide to shoot 5 frames, followed by more hours of prowling. I guess they should power off while prowling. Acoarst, for any such user the powering off clicks do represent a 20% increase in *actual* shutter use even if the FW is set up to not add it to The Click Count.

FWIW camera is an EOS R mk0. I wish all my other cameras had the sensor shield. AFAIK only EOS have it.

Thanks for your question. It reminded me to or cards for an incoming camera.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Shied DOWN!!
My Z9 gets far more crud on the sensor than my D850 as it is.
don't encourage it.

User ID

Oil was the 800 and 600 which is why there came to be an 810 and 610. The 700 was a Clean Mochine. There was never a 710, and the 750 is a *completely* different camera.

Bill_de Loc: US

I must have read that and figured the 700 must have been right in the middle.

Thank You for the correction.

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User ID

Never thought about it but, yes, the 600 was out of sequence. I guess since the name was unused and available they just built a camera to use it. Mostly nobody cared about the 600 or 610 anywho. They never really caught on like the 750. I still have a 610 and 750 in my fossil collection, along with a 5D2. Theyre all remarkably similar. And they all get full use out of fossil lenses, Canons back to the late 80s, and Nikons back to the mid 70s. But no one much cares to use them, including me. I use my fossil lenses mainly on Sonys and Zs.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Interesting as I NEVER had a mirror throw ANY oil or dust on my sensors.
And yes if it did I would have quickly noticed.
On occasion after a beach day and changing lenses I would get something on the sensor but easily cleaned it off my self. But outside of those 3 times it never got messed up.
Was there something wrong with your camera? I never heard of people before making a complaint of this issue here or elsewhere.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

i noted shutter count as a possible trade and many have assumed I was worried but in fact it seems like a very small issue and I will happily trade it. But interesting to see the responses.

FYI I turn my camera on and leave it on until I’m done shooting. If I’m hiking or street walking with time between shots the camera sleeps between shots. The on/off switch has a finite life I try to extend it when possible.