Camera/Shutter life question

[Satyaa]

Hi. I have shot about 110K on my GH5 II in over two years. This count is based on the file numbering, loosely validated against the number of events I shot and the average photo count per event.

I looked into this count out of curiosity, when writing another post last week about my two-year journey from DSLR to ML.

In DSLR world, the entry level cameras had a shutter life of about 100 to 150K while pro-grade cameras had anywhere from 200 to 500K. I used one Canon and three Nikon DSLRs but never reached those counts.

With GH5 II, out of the 110K, only about 4K photos were with mechanical shutter and the rest with electronic. I don't believe this but am guessing based on the count the camera is showing in the hidden menu.

I might shoot another 50 to 60K photos in the next two+ years (earlier GH5 II was my only body, now sharing some load with the GH6). I can't say how many will be with mechanical vs electronic shutter.

All this leads me to think... what is the expected life of these cameras/shutters? Are there any official statements or counts from users' experience?

Thanks.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Hi,

Oly has in the past made shutter lifespan claims for some cameras, like the E-M1 series. I do not have a handy resource but from hazy recollection, E-M1 - 100k, E-M1ii - 200k, E-M1X/M1iii - 400k.

Something in that neighborhood.

E-shutter cycles of course are not part of that total, and the newest models like OM-1 encourage using it first now that rolling shutter has been mostly eliminated.

Perhaps there are published specs for your cameras? I would presume at least GH and G9 series get robust shutter mechanisms.

Also, there is a way to access Oly/OMD service menu, which gives an actual shutter cycle count. Does Panny have this?

Cheers,

Rick

 

[Satyaa]

Hi,

Also, there is a way to access Oly/OMD service menu, which gives an actual shutter cycle count. Does Panny have this?

Yes, that is where I found the 4K shutter count. I was surprised that I used it less than 4%

Cheers,

Rick

Thanks

 

[cba_melbourne]

..............All this leads me to think... what is the expected life of these cameras/shutters? Are there any official statements or counts from users' experience?

In the old film days, shutters only had a life of 30-70k. Additionally, shutter life was limited by age too (shutters perish over time regardless of the number of shots). Since cameras back then easily lasted 10 years and longer (they did not become obsolete as quick as today) shutter failure was a common thing to experience. Also consider people frequently had to open the camera back to change film rolls, requiring manipulating the film just millimeters behind those extremely fragile shutter leaves - accidental touching did happen (as did occasional tearing of a film), threatening and shortening shutter life. For fast action pro users, especially with cameras that had fast motorized film feed for shooting like with a machine gun, a shutter change was a regular routine say like an oil change for a car.

Today's cameras are very different. Shutters have become much better, with number of shot ratings 5 times higher. At the same time, digital cameras can use E-shutter, something that film cameras completely lacked. And digital cameras become technologically obsolete in just a few years. The shutter is 100% protected from being accidentally touched from the rear. All this has lead to shutter failures becoming a rather rare event indeed, that you usually do not need to care about, nor to plan for.

Just don't worry about. Chances are you will want to upgrade your camera, many years before it's design shutter life is up.

 

[Satyaa]

All good points and good to know the history from film days. From a simple rangefinder camera I used in the 80s, and shot less than 200 rolls, I would never find out about that issue

You may be right that I would want to upgrade my camera before it breaks (as I did with my DSLRs).

One other thing I am inferring from your comment about age is that the electronics in modern cameras could also deteriorate with time, causing other problems too. Not just shutter related. I don't put them through videos where high bit rates and heat could fatigue them. My D7200 still works fine after ten years. So, it won't happen any time soon.

Thanks.

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