Seriously, can't they make a camera with an unbreakable shutter? It shouldn't be that hard with today's technology. Not all professionals want to be forced to spend £3000 on a new SLR every 3 years... What do you think? I mean if there wasn't the issue of shutter life, with a battery grip that takes AA batteries dSLRs would last 15-20 years rather than 3-5 years...
The thought of Shutter Life is making me go ballistic
(21 posts) (16 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Unfortunately materials just don't work that way. They (the manufacturers) could overengineer all they want, but every system has the potential for failure, especially one as precise as a shutter. Even a crowbar suffers wear and tear.
Edit: The cost-tradeoff in making something that lasts longer may also come into play. Who knows what a shutter that lasts another 50% might cost them in research, materials, and labor? A good analogy might be a road, where yes, you can design and construct a country road like a highway, but the replacement cost on a lesser design is less than the additional resources dedicated to an improved initial construction given the relative lifespans of the two items.
Posted 2 years ago # -
kaos said:
Unfortunately materials just don't work that way. They (the manufacturers) could overengineer all they want, but every system has the potential for failure, especially one as precise as a shutter. Even a crowbar suffers wear and tear.Then they should make a universally replaceable shutter. Make it as easy to repair a DSLR than a 50 year old Omega watch.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Well I'd rather pay 10k for a dSLR that will last me a lifetime than 3k on one that will last me 3-5 years.
Posted 2 years ago # -
How about you pay me $10,000 today for a D3S and I'll replace your shutter for free every time it breaks, no questions asked? ;)
You appear to be under the mistaken impression that a shutter is impossible to replace.
It's not even expensive.Tantrum in a teapot me thinks.
Posted 2 years ago # -
But don't you usually want to upgrade technology every 3 years anyways in a DSLR camera? Id rather spend 3 grand on a camera now and replace it in 3 years instead of using the same DSLR for 10+ years.
Imagine in the world of unbreakable DSLR's, when a guy holding a 10k unbreakable D1 when he looks across the table and see a D7000 for 1100 taking pictures at 3200 Iso easy at 16 megapixels. I bet he would want to upgrade his camera every 3 years instead of getting a camera to last 10+ years.
Its not like the old film days anymore where if you want a better image, you'd only have to buy better film.
As kaos says, "every system has the potential for failure, especially one as precise as a shutter. Even a crowbar suffers wear and tear"
Everything fails in time
Posted 2 years ago # -
We live in a consumer driven society, products are designed to fail over time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Lol @ this thread. I was worried about not having tons of shutter releases on my refurbished body, but not really that much. I doubt the average consumer even shoots enough to worry about the shutter. But like others said everything could or will fail eventually. Nothing is irreplaceable though and really bodies are somewhat disposable IMO. They are really the part of the camera with the changing technology and higher probability of failure. Not that anyone wants to have to buy another body, but at least it wouldn't be like breaking your Nikon 600mm lens.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi all,
Shutters can be replaced on digital cameras for less than $200 (if I recall), and I'm over the actuations of a D90 right now and it's still clicking, my mechanical F2 worked fine for 20 years.
There's a lot to be said for _not wanting_ the camera to last forever, as Smarterchild pointed out. It's not just a fashion sense, either. Newer technology, better sensors, it might make more sense to upgrade every now and then.
My best,
Mike
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am happy with my D700. I don't need an upgrade. I want it to last for ever. Do you think Cartier Bresson bought a new Leica for each season because he felt like an upgrade? I doubt it. Real artists want tough gear, not "new buzz" gear.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hah! "real artists". Nice one. :]
So, is the "new buzz" D700 replacement not going to be "tough gear" as you call it?
Posted 2 years ago # -
36mp with Zero noise at 6400.
art is in the eye of the beholder. Most pro shooters want the camera that works for what they are shooting and If I could get ahold of above said camera for 2300 or still have my d80 then Im going to upgrade. Just because something new comes out does not mean that you have to buy it, but someone else, another artist, might be able to use it in a way you cant or would need to.
~CheersPosted 2 years ago # -
if You buy nikon d3s You can afford to replace shutter for $300 - every 300000 shots
Posted 2 years ago # -
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The Pro said:
I am happy with my D700. I don't need an upgrade. I want it to last for ever. Do you think Cartier Bresson bought a new Leica for each season because he felt like an upgrade? I doubt it. Real artists want tough gear, not "new buzz" gear.Did Cartier Bresson use the same leicas for years? Probably Yes. Did He use the same film over the course of the years? Probably not. Technology changes. In the Digital age, Technology changes faster compared to back in the film days.. If you're being paid for your work from clients who need the best resolution and best range of tones then you will need to keep your gear up to date. Reason why people shoot with high megapixel cameras for commercial work or wedding photographers need high ISO cameras to capture those candle lit weddings.
The D700 is a great camera. If you want it to last forever then just replace the shutter or whatever then fine. But imagine in 10 years people will throw D700 and D3's around for a few hundred dollars as the D1 and early models are now.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think it is just like the expiry date on food: just because the date is due does not mean the food will turn bad the next day, but the producer has to give a date. Same with the shutter. Nikon knows it will not last forever, so they will give a number that they are convinced it will last. By the way: the shutter of the F4 was rated _only_ 150000 shots (and I think even the F6 is).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't forget that on film you shoot way less (even if you are a working professional) than on digital, so the shutters did not need to be tested as long.
As far as making an indestructible shutter goes, I'm sure it is possible if they were willing to increase the thickness of the blades (making them slower) and testing them more thoroughly (making them more expensive). Of course the alternative is not remove the mechanical shutter completely and using an electronic shutter (like the D70), but that introduces a new set of problems.
Posted 2 years ago # -
jerl said:
Don't forget that on film you shoot way less (even if you are a working professional) than on digital, so the shutters did not need to be tested as long.Yes, I did work as a freelancer for Nikon Tech-Support in Germany about 10 years ago. Even back then they told me that the DSLRs that were send in for service had about three times as many shots taken as a film SLR in the same time frame.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just curious, what happens to your other cameras when the shutter breaks? If you have a bunch of pro gear sitting around, ill take it off your hands :p
Posted 2 years ago # -
The Pro said:
I am happy with my D700. I don't need an upgrade. I want it to last for ever. Do you think Cartier Bresson bought a new Leica for each season because he felt like an upgrade? I doubt it. Real artists want tough gear, not "new buzz" gear.I have seen a picture of Cartier Bresson in his home with a shelf full of cameras. (later in life) Just saying. :)
I have rarely heard of a shutter failure from any brand in a long time. Other failures, yes but that is electronics. If you want a camera to last a lifetime, go for a Leica MP and then make sure to get it serviced every 3 years. :)
It all depends how you take care of your equipment.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Heck I beat mine up and they are still clicking... and I've done well over 250,000 photos in 1 year between my 3 shooters...
Posted 2 years ago #
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