Last updated on January 23rd, 2024
The shutter count of a camera is how many times the shutter has taken images. Most modern digital cameras can handle up to 200,000 exposures before needing service or replacement parts. Let’s discuss how much shutter count is too much on a camera and how it affects the performance of that camera.
How much shutter count is too much? There are several ways to tell when a camera reaches the limit of how many exposures it can absorb before needing service or replacement.
Some cameras have an indicator light that alerts you when your pictures may not be coming out. You may have worn out your equipment; yet, how can you tell if this doesn’t happen? There are two ways to check shutter count on cameras. The first way is to go into the menu for your camera and find how many exposures you can take before needing service or replacement parts.
Once there, it’s just a matter of counting how many pictures you have taken with that specific equipment. The other option would be to download an app on your phone that tells how much shutter count your camera has.
How Much Shutter Count is Too Much?
Most entry-level DSLR cameras are only rated at 100,000 shutter actuations. Mid and high-end cameras have more durable shutters rated up to between 150,000 and 300,000 actuations.
Let’s say you took care of your camera and protected it from hazards such as dust exposure or extreme temperature changes. You might think about how many shutter actuations you need before the camera’s performance starts to drop.
In my experience, most cameras will surpass 100,000 or 150,000 shutter actuations without any problems. Yet, many new DSLRs won’t reach the 300,000 mark, even with a rating that would allow that many.
Suppose you are concerned about how many pictures your equipment can take before needing service replacement parts. In that case, there is an easy way to find out. Many cameras have their maximum exposure limit listed in the menu for how many exposures they can take without breaking or wearing down.
How Does Shutter Count Affect Your pictures?
Once you know how many pictures your equipment can take, how does that affect your performance? Let’s say you have a camera with too much shutter count, and it starts to give out on you before the camera reaches the maximum exposure limit.
There are several ways this may manifest itself. The first way would be by taking an image and not having the shutter open long enough to take the picture. This could result in a dark image, or it may just be very blurry because of the large amount of time for each exposure.
There’s another way that your equipment can fail before reaching its maximum exposure limits. It happens by taking an image and having nothing show up on the screen when you review photos after a shoot. The camera is then limited by how many exposures it can take, and a piece is now broken or needs replacing.
Finally, shutter count may affect your equipment by how long it takes to turn on after off for some time. If you have taken too many pictures with your specific equipment, it may take longer for the camera to wake up and be ready for you to use.
Ways To Increase The Life of Your Shutters with a Little TLC
You might be unsure how many exposures your equipment can take. And perhaps the thought of it failing before reaching its maximum exposure limit scares you. There are a few ways that may help increase how long your shutters last.
The first way is to service your camera regularly. If you have your DSLR serviced regularly, it may take up to 50% more pictures.
Another way to increase how long your equipment can take pictures is by not shooting in very cold or hot temperatures. These extreme temperature changes cause the most significant stress on the internal mechanics of a camera. They will significantly reduce how many exposures it can take before needing service replacement parts.
Conclusion: How Much Is Too Much Shutter Count?
In conclusion, how much shutter count is too much? With how durable most DSLR cameras are, it doesn’t matter how many pictures you have taken with a specific piece of equipment. The other option to increase how long your camera can take photos would be? You should regularly service your camera and limit the camera to cold or hot temperatures for long periods.
