10D pictures taken

[mrpeterman]

How do I find out how many pictures were taken with the used 10d I purchased? Thanks, Paul

[tim]

You can't, but if you take it to a Canon service centre they can.

[Jon]

Can they really? A lot of people claim this, but has anyone got absolute proof that they have some magic counter software for this? Are you sure they don't just assume continuous numbering and take the next available frame number, same as the rest of us? I've also never heard a convincing explanation of why they'd want a shutter-actuation counter, let alone keep it secret from the users.

[tim]

I'm just repeating what i've heard. It's reasonable that they'd have that software, to check if a camera's been used excessively before being returned under warranty, or to collect statistics on how long a shutter goes before it fails. I've no idea why they'd not release the software.

[CRE@TE]

Funny thing about my Rebel. I got it brand new with over 3,000 on the counter already.

[Jon]

I'm just repeating what i've heard. It's reasonable that they'd have that software, to check if a camera's been used excessively before being returned under warranty, or to collect statistics on how long a shutter goes before it fails. I've no idea why they'd not release the software.

That's just it - "what I've heard" is responsible for a lot of Urban Legends. And why would they care about a precise shutter count to determine if a camera's been used "excessively". If it has, the overall condition should make it obvious. If the camera's not showing obvious severe wear then they'd be hard-pressed to make any kind of "excessive use" claim hold up under examination from any state consumer protection group. And to make any given number of shutter actuations per time interval a legitimate out, they'd need to provide established standards up front. Besides, if there was any such software, it would have leaked out by now.