D50 Shutter Life

[GadgetRick]

Ok, I know this has been discussed before but I've been researching a bit and I can't seem to find a consensus.

I've recently figured out how to get my shutter count. I'm using Graphic Converter on the Mac and it displays all of the EXIF data for a file. It seems I have about 30,000 shutter clicks on this camera (I bought it used and it's been around).

Now, some sites say as low as 15-20k, which I don't really believe but I could be wrong. I've seen others say 40k. I really don't know the average number since I've heard all kinds of numbers. I've been planning on upgrading the camera later this year anyway. I was thinking of selling it but, knowing how many clicks I've got I may just keep it as a backup camera.

Anyone know what the average is? Should I expect this to die suddenly any day now? Is there something I can do as preventative maintenance?

Thanks.

[OsmosisStudios]

Your shutter will die when it dies.

Im sure mine is coming up on it's service life, but I wont worry about it until it dies on me.

[kirbinster]

Over 70% are still clicking away at over 95,000 shots.

Check this link: nikon d50 | Camera Shutter Life Database

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

Should I expect this to die suddenly any day now?

No.

Is there something I can do as preventative maintenance?

Not for the shutter. The shutter will last for however long it lasts. Precious few DSLRs ever reach the point of shutter failure. Most are either retired for being obsolescent, or suffer the real "sudden death" danger to DSLRs: being dropped.

Preventive maintenance for DSLRs:

Don't drop your camera. Don't put it anywhere that it can be knocked off. Don't put it in a backpack with a bottom zipper. Don't pick up your camera bag without checking to be sure that it's securely closed. Be very careful when you have the camera mounted on a tripod.

[GadgetRick]

Ah, ok. Thanks. I feel better now.

I know it'll just die with no warning, just would be tough for it to die, say, tomorrow as I don't have the funds to buy a new camera.

Thanks a bunch for talking me down!

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

Don't put it in a backpack with a bottom zipper.

Do you have a backpack with a bottom zipper? I don't think I've EVER seen one before.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

Do you have a backpack with a bottom zipper? I don't think I've EVER seen one before.

The bottom camera section of a few lowepro bags can open and have the camera drop out, but you'd have to be doing jumping jacks in a heavy wind. The only real design flaw, but its shared with other manufacturers.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Has anyone really gone beyond the 100,000 shutter life?
Pros don't. They replace the shutter mechanism at around 60,000 to 80,000.
They don't have the affordability to loose thousands of dollars downtime for a few hundred bucks service.
It's like replacing your timing belt on your engine. Why wait for it to snap?
Cheers!

Thats a terrible analogy, and it's false.

Pro cameras are rated to 300k actuations, and most dont replace the shutter without needing to.
A timing belt is replaced as regular maintenance: its a minor item. Replacing the shutter is kinda like replacing a transmission.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Oh, but yes they do.
Others even replace the camera instead.
No false analogy here.
Someone just wants to retort on the contrary.
What a terrible retort, and it's completely false.

Im sorry but from all encounters Ive had with Pros, the shutter isn;t replaced until it fails. Assuming it does fail over the life of the camera. Generally speaking the shutter mechanism outlasts the body's usefulness.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Oh, but yes they do.
Others even replace the camera instead.
No false analogy here.
Someone just wants to retort on the contrary.
What a terrible retort, and it's completely false.

False is you. Os is right- blanket google search shows this usually isn't an issue until quite a ways after the camera's become obsolete and it usually runs between 300 and 500 beans. Definitely just wouldn't be worth it to get it fixed.