View single post by Robert
 Posted: Wed Nov 22nd, 2017 14:15
Robert



Joined: Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
Location: South Lakeland, UK
Posts: 4066
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Eric wrote:
I suppose the title should read ' Is shutter count the limiting factor?' but can't edit it.

Anyway....a numptie question, or 3.....


When a shutter activation life is quoted for a camera body, is it the actual diaphragm opening or mirror mechanism movement that's being measured as the limiting factor?

Which leads on to the second question...are shutter activation numbers relevant for a mirrorless camera?

Which leads onto my third question....what sort of wear and tear does videoing impart on a camera?

The reason for this brain freeze moment is, I am just selling my wife's LUMIX and although I can quote the number of photos she has taken, I cannot specify, nor even know if it's relevant, how many hours videoing it has done. (Which for my wife, will be loads more than photos!)

So as the title should have said, in specifying shutter activation as a key indicator of working life, are we missing other key activities that could limit the life expectancy of a modern camera? Ok that 4 questions

o.O


Interesting question Eric.

a) My take is that it's the actual shutter mechanism life which is being quoted. The diaphragm in most cases because it's in the (interchangeable) lens will be disregarded. I suspect the mirror mechanism will be more robust because it's mass is greater, the actual shutter leaves are extremely fragile and highly stressed (in scale) so I suppose they are the weakest link.

b) Depends if the mirrorless camera has a mechanical shutter?

c) I have heard this one... With the advent of DSLR's some users who do a lot of video work, will clock up a lot of hours video, with a low shutter count. I am aware of some DSLR's which are permanently tethered recording high quality and have hardly taken a single photograph. From what I gathered the sensor suffers. A bit sketchy in my memory but I read of someone who had several D800's or similar all recording video and tethered, this was a university project, the D800's were much cheaper than similar quality dedicated video equipment, therefor a preferred choice.

I would simply state "One careful lady owner, low shutter count." Don't think anybody would quarrel with that?



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Robert.