Shutter Life

[PhotoDim]

This may seem like a silly question, but should I take steps to preserve my shutter life? Should I limit the number/kinds of photographs that I take?

I am starting to learn about the DSLR world but I want my 40D to last as long as possible. Often times, I take several shots of the same object to try different techniques and learn about composition, lighting, and other technical aspects.

I have owned the camera for 2 months and already have 2,000 shots on it.

[jfrancho]

Its good for at least 50,000.

[aam1234]

I would suggest you take photos as much as you like, for two reasons:

1- From your post it appears that you are new to dSLRs, so take many photos and use them as a learning tool.
2- Replacing the shutter is not that expensive, it's around $200 (or thereabout).

But I hope you don't become like my friend and his 1DIII, who puts it on Continuous all the time. The other day when we were shooting he click the the shutter and took 3 frames of a non-moving beetle

[jfrancho]

But I hope you don't become like my friend and his 1DIII, who puts it on Continuous all the time. The other day when we were shooting he click the the shutter and took 3 frames of a non-moving beetle

What, was he taking your portrait?

[aam1234]

The funny part is that before leaving on the shoot we discussed frame rate, and how he should use a single shot as his base and only change it when he needs to.

[kentax]

this website lists current and past users and their shutter counts. You can find your camera on the right hand side:

Camera Shutter Life | Database

[Draganflyer]

The only way you learn and improve is by taking lots of photos. Digital gives you the luxury of taking lots of shots with different settings at virtually no cost (think of what 2000 frames of film would have cost you in terms of processing). I sometimes shoot 2000 images in a week...I sure wouldn't worry about the time when I may have to replace the mechanism. By that time, you'll have probably advanced your craft to a point where you're looking at new equipment anyway.

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by kentax

this website lists current and past users and their shutter counts.

Are these figures meant to be taken seriously. One guy did 900,000 with his 5D before it died.

[kentax]

i cant say for sure, but this website seems to be a good starting reference point.

[cyclohexane]

should I take steps to preserve my shutter life?

No. How else can you learn? I mean, books, classes, etc. only go so far.

I have owned the camera for 2 months and already have 2,000 shots on it.

That's pretty low, at least, compared to me. I've been known to put 10,000 frames in 2-3 months.

[yokolok]

the shutter is put there to enable you to take pictures...digital slr is there to enable you to press that shutter and take pictures, to your heart's content...

by the time you wear out that shutter release, you would probably have an obsolete camera...you may also want to compute how much you have saved from buying film, having it developed, and printed...the time and trouble you have to undergo to send that film, and the amount of wasted prints due to bad shots...compared to immediate satisfaction, no developing cost, prints only of the shots you want...etc etc...

the shutter is there for a reason, it is meant to break down some time in the future...it can be replaced...the pictures you take of any moment will never be replaced...nor will it recur...

that said...that's about normal number of shots...it's a new cam...a new technology...and you are excited!!!

[BradM]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Its good for at least 50,000.

Actually the 40D (or 30D) are rated for 100,000 actuations. The Xt/XTi/20D have a 50,000 raing for MTBF (mean time between failure).

So for the OP at 1,000 shots a month you are looking at 100 months of use or roughly 8 years and 2 more months of shooting. Of course YMMV.

[jfrancho]

That's right, they started putting heartier shutters in them. Forgot about that - thanks.

[sean_buerger]

"think of what 2000 frames of film would have cost you in terms of processing"

Exactly 327 US$ in Ho Chi Minh City / Vietnam with Fuji Superia 200ASA 36exp with 9 x 13 cm prints. This includes the film price.

Cheers, Sean.

[yokolok]

wow...

so at that rate, 4000 more shots and you could have bought another 40D?

[sean_buerger]

Provided you never print your 40D shots