Used camera..Shutter count?

friesianfan69

friesianfan69

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Donna
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Im looking to buy a used Canon 5d mk 2.
Ive noticed on ebay many tell you the shutter count, Why is this?
Im assuming if its too high thats not good?
What is a good count to go on? Anything else i need to be careful of?
 
As above - it's the 'mileage' of a camera.
A useful indicator to the level of use.
The lower the better (obviously!), but you do need to marry it up with overall condition too, you could have a 30k count camera thats been bouncing off the floor etc, similarly you could have a 100k count thats in 'mint' condition.

There are manufacturer guidelines for expected shutter life, and they vary widely, usually over the 150k mark. but take that with a pinch of salt.
My 7D is sitting at (I think) about 50k, and I have the occasional shutter jam on it.

As for looking for a shutter count, that'll depend on your budget :S
if you can get one >30k I think that'll be ok, >10k would be very good imo.
 
Hi Donna,

A cameras shutter is often 'rated' for a certain amount of actuations in its lifetime. This will be the minimum amount that it will be guaranteed for. I dont know about the camera you have specified, but as an example, mine is tested to 150,000 actuations (clicks). It doesnt always matter, as you could get one that will last 3 times what it has been tested for, and you may also be unfortunate enough to get one that fails after 100 shots.

It is a good indicatior of how much the camera has been used though.

**ETA - Gavin got there before me :D**
 
Just to add, be careful via ebay unless you know how to check the camera out fully on receipt. There are quite a few uk retailers dealing in pre-owned cameras who give you a warranty period.
 
I bought my D3 via Ffordes and they have been good. Camera condition and shutter count was spot on on the description. My D3 was low shutter count but is even cheaper because it have 1 dead pixel on the sensor. After I got the camera and did a few test shot, I can't even see the dead pixel .......
 
With video being used so much- by some people- how does video use affect the camera shutter/sensor life? Worst case you could have very low shutter count and hundreds of hours video, or does video usage count towards the shutter count. Apologies if its a silly question but thought it relevant.
 
nog said:
With video being used so much- by some people- how does video use affect the camera shutter/sensor life? Worst case you could have very low shutter count and hundreds of hours video, or does video usage count towards the shutter count. Apologies if its a silly question but thought it relevant.
Click to expand...

In video mode shutter is open AFAIK, so shouldnt effect shutter life much at all.
 
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1 click on the shutter everytime time you put the camera on live view? That why you heard that click when switch to live view mode? I maybe wrong.
 
I wouldn't buy one with a high shutter count. Same thing with cars as someone mentioned already.
 
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