Digital SLR Shutter-Life??

[Elio]

Does anybody know the expected shutter-life of the Canon 10D, or has anyone had a shutter failure on their digital SLR???

I`m not a pro photographer but have a 10D which I use almost entirely for motorsports. I got it from the first batch of deliveries to the UK late last March and have put about 110,000 shots on it in the last 13 months or so. Typically I`ll shoot about 1,000 to 1,200 frames a day trackside.

I`ve begun to worry (as you do!) that my shutter might be getting a bit tired so did a little research on the `net on various forums and found that a typical shutter on one of the later Canon models (1D, 10D etc) might only last for about 150,000 to 200,000 shots.

Fixation (Canon service centre in London) say they do not currently repair the 10D as the model is still quite new and they have yet to receive official training from Canon.

Hopefully some of the pro`s who use Ten-Tenths might be able to shed some more light on this topic.

I`m thinking of possibly investing in a 300D as a second body so I can alternate between the 2 cameras thus doubling each of their respective shutter-lives but having only just forked-out for a 10D I`m reluctant to throw more money at another D SLR.....

[gi_gav]

I'd thought of the same recently, simply because using digital encourages shooting more frames (for any non-pro), thus increasing the wear on the camera.

Very interesting qustion Elio, to which i sadly don't have the answer.

[thebear]

Originally posted by Elio
Does anybody know the expected shutter-life of the Canon 10D, or has anyone had a shutter failure on their digital SLR???

Not to worry. There probably is no shutter in the camera. It is the accomplished electronically by `reading' the `megapixel' array.

[gi_gav]

It's possible, but not on the 10D, it's got a physical focal plane shutter...

[vandijk]

110K is a lot! I'm not sure what you officialy may expect from the 10D shutter but I have seen figures between 60K and 100K. The 1D is certified on 150K I believe and the 1DmkII on 200K.

Find more info on the various forums like this one.

Sander.

[Elio]

Tried another service centre today who gave me figures of 50 - 60k as a MTBF (mean time before failure). As far as I can tell its a case of luck-of-the-draw - might fail straight out of the box, or could go on forever!!

I was assured that little damage if any can be done to the camera if it fails - hence shoot `til it dies then pay for a replacement (about £150 seems the going rate for a full service).

Have to start thinking about a back-up for the time it`ll be in service though.....