Average Shutter Life for DSLRs?

[SuperCNJ]

I read somewhere that the average shutter life of a DLSR is in the region of about 100,000-150,000 exposures. To me that doesn't sound like a great deal for an investment I would expect to last a good few decades. Has anyone managed to get near 100,000 exposures and is there any noticeable differences in performance?

How much does it cost to replace one?

 

[PsiFox]

I don't think anyone nowadays expects their DSLR body to last decades.

In the past yes but 35mm SLR bodies were mainly mechanical or electro mechanical and wuold last longer.
A PC only lasts a few years, why should a camera with pcb's and other modern gubbins be any different.

Companies will write off support much sooner for old models I believe.

As to cost try google, as varies between manufacturers /models

 

[Aperture87]

My trusty old 10d has battled on for 5 years so far, and believe me it has seen heavy usage for all five of those years! It will die eventually, but at the moment it's still doing the job at the same high level it always has.

 

[CT]

The problem is that people shoot frame after a frame now with gay abandon in a way they'd never have done on film. Even so, a shutter life of 100,000 actuations is the equivalent of shooting 2,777 36 exposure rolls of 35mm film.

The latest range of 1 Series Canons have an anticipated shutter life of 300,000 exposures, so you can triple that previous figure.

The shutter life isn't guaranteed of course, it''s only an estimate - some fail before that, some go on longer. Replacement cost should roughly be in the region of £200 - £300 on average.

Film SLRs had exactly the same limited life span -focal plane shutters are large heavy mechanisms which eventually shake themselves to death. If anything, shutter life expectancy is being increased due to the pressures of digital shooters shooting gazillions of exposures and expecting longer shutter life.

 

[Aperture87]

The problem is that people shoot frame after a frame now with gay abandon in a way they'd never have done on film.

That's a very good point. It's a sad side-effect the growing ease in which people can get into 'serious' cameras has had, people with no skill just machine gunning their subject and just relying on the laws of averages to get them a shot.:bang::bang:

 

[CT]

^^^^I'll pass on that can of worms if you don't mind.

 

[dogfan]

A point here, If you really love your camera body, say it lasts 18 months... You will probably be able to pick up another body NEWISH for the same price as replacing the shutter 2 years later give or take £100. Especially if that were a 400d or a d60/d70/ If you have an expensive body then replace the shutter, sell it and upgrade

 

[CT]

My philosophy now on upgrading is that I bought the 40D, which was a big upgrade from the 20D. The 30D was the interim model which always comes out with a few minor tweaks and isn't worth the upgrade for most people from the previous model.

The next XXD will no doubt be such an interim camera, but the one after that will probably be the one with more pixels and the next generation processor. These new models come out on roughly an 18 month cycle, so I'm looking at upgrading every 3 years hopefully, and spending the silly dosh for the 1 Series bodies on glass.