Maximum number of actuations

[multiweb]

When using any camera for timelapses we're looking at 1000s of actuations per timeplapse. Approx. 6000 for 17h or so let's say if you shoot every 10s. What's the life expectancy of a mechanical shutter under these conditions? We're propably talking about 100 timelapses or about before anything serious happens? Has anyone ever had to change/service a DSLR shutter due to mechanical issues?

[bojan]

It depends.. but Canon, for example, will not tell you specific numbers (I had that experience couple of years ago).
Normally you should expect up to 50,000 actuations.. but the actual number will depend on many external factors (temperature, humidity, other faults in camera..)
See here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40820&highlight=canon+shutter)

[AndyK]

Canon has disclosed the rated shutter life for all EOS models, although I take this to mean the average "expected" shutter life rather than a hard and fast guaranteed rating:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / 1000D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i / 500D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi / 450D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D - 50,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D - 50,000
Canon EOS 50D - 100,000
Canon EOS 40D - 100,000
Canon EOS 30D - 100,000
Canon EOS 20D - 50,000
Canon EOS 5D Mark II - 150,000
Canon EOS 5D - 100,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N - 200,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark II - 200,000

[multiweb]

That's the ball park numbers I had in mind. It's surprising how figures vary so much from one model to the other.

[Paul Haese]

Pro bodies are built to last longer Marc; these bodies will get thrashed a lot.

I have a D3 and it is rated for around 300,000 actuations.

[avandonk]

I estimate my Canon 5DH has done about 600,000 plus actuations.

Most of these were at -18C!. Lubricants would be solid!

Bert

[Poita]

We do stop motion animation with Canon 5D and Nikon D3 bodies.
The Canon's burn out between 700,000 and 900,000 usually, and the D3 at about 1.5 million or so.
We used 40Ds for it originally, and they would die anywhere between about 60,000 and 80,000 actuations.

That is in an air filtered room, and under studio conditions, but pretty much 14 hours a day usage.

[Phil Hart]

just looking at the number of files on my timelapse hard drive, i'd say i'm over 100k on one of my 5DmkII bodies.

i have a theory that bulb exposures are less taxing on the shutter than say 1/500 in the studio, but no evidence to back that up (yet).

it is also possible to replace the shutter.. it's not a cheap fix but much less than the cost of a new camera. so not completely the end of the world even when it does eventually happen. i'm not going to worry about it till it happens the first time..

[jjjnettie]

This is all very good to hear as she's setting up to do a time lapse this afternoon. :) Thanks Andy.