Contingency Plans, Concerns About an Aging Camera

Just a musing, Something I've realized lately...

I've had my 7D since they came out basically, So about 3 years come the end of this year, in that time as you all know its seen its share of abuse and survived and has genuinely endeared itself to me in ways only one other camera ever had (My EOS3)

But... its getting up there in terms of shutter count now, and im genuinely getting concerned im going to be out shooting and just all of a sudden the shutter dropping dead, I'm getting close to 75k at this point on it I think (judging by the number of times my cards rolled over)

Sure if it dies in the wild from a spill or something, I have insurance to replace it, but if the shutter unit dies or the electronics fail.. Im basically looking at a repair or a new camera... Im not a professional so its not a HUGE deal and i can always borrow another cam to continue shooting, But my 7D is my camera, and the one I love most of the ones I have available to me... and id be sad until it was back in my bag...

So I guess im curious, Im sure someone out there replaced a 7D shutter by now... How much does that run you? Do you think it is worth it? Or do you think its better to sell the 7D for parts and grab another body....

I thought shutter replacement was in the $200 range, even for 1D series cameras. If that's the case, then I wouldn't worry about the expense too much (but that said, I'm curious myself how much a shutter replacement would be, even though it'll probably be many years before I need one).

Of course, if you're really concerned about it, you could pick up another 7D as a "backup" body. If you're endeared to your camera that much, it might makes sense to do precisely that.

75,000 clicks is not too much for a 7D. It's rated to twice that. Shoot it till it dies, replace the shutter then. By the time that happens, you may be ready to buy the successor to the 7D and keep your newly shuttered 7D as your backup going forward from that time.

The 7D is a tough camera.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=RCT-YMgjm9k

I had my mirror box assembly replaced under extended warranty and I think that includes the shutter... nfi how many actuations it had done but it was a fair few. i like my machine gun mode.

I was without my 7D for about 5 weeks... that sucked. I had my 40D backup but it's just not the same. I'll have to buy a second 7D or a 5d mkII

Zivnuska wrote in post #14743389
75,000 clicks is not too much for a 7D. It's rated to twice that. Shoot it till it dies, replace the shutter then. By the time that happens, you may be ready to buy the successor to the 7D and keep your newly shuttered 7D as your backup going forward from that time.

The 7D is a tough camera.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=RCT-YMgjm9k

I did it first

I know it's a 1Ds II, but i doubt it's twice as expensive.

Thread

Post 6

^- Thanks, Yeah id imagine the 7D SHOULD be less than any 1 series...the shutter isnt rated for as many actuations or anything...

KenjiS wrote in post #14747768
^- Thanks, Yeah id imagine the 7D SHOULD be less than any 1 series...the shutter isnt rated for as many actuations or anything...

Note, too, that economy of scale comes into play. A lot more 7Ds have been produced than 1-series cameras.

TCShadow wrote in post #14743453
I had my mirror box assembly replaced under extended warranty and I think that includes the shutter

I wouldn't count on it, the mirror box is a seperate part...

1Tanker wrote in post #14743543
I know it's a 1Ds II, but i doubt it's twice as expensive.

1D's shutter replacement should involve replacing all the seals - so should take a bit longer than the other models (I say should, because it wouldn't suprise me if some shops don't bother)

KenjiS wrote in post #14743279
Sure if it dies in the wild from a spill or something, I have insurance to replace it, but if the shutter unit dies or the electronics fail.

So whose to say that shutter didn't die as a result of that terrible accident?

Shoot until shutter dies, replace shutter, shoot again. I'm a hobbyist too and stopped caring about the shutter count long ago.

Stop majoring in the minors.

Buying a second camera isn't going to do anything but prolong the problem- the problem - waiting for a shutter to die or something. The solution: Start a fund for the explicit purpose of repairing/replacing your current camera IF... Drop $50 or $100 in it till you can buy a new(ish) camera and if the 7D is still kicking - and you are still concerned- sell that one.

Reality is that your camera could die after the next click ( OMG ) or it could decide to stick around for the next 10 years.. Or some other electronic part of it could decide to give up the ghost. You should not worry about things completely out of your control. It'll just make you age more quickly.

True enough, I guess I was just being stupid over it lately...

Love my 7D to pieces, Just did my first actual portraits of people with it and im very happy with the results

Just enjoy it while it lasts. And when it's gone, decide then. The only thing I can say about having another body is that it's a back-up. So, in that case, maybe something not quite as robust as a 7D may be good.

...Or designate your 7D as your backup and get that 5DIII you want.

So my question is... why does the shutter die? Is this built-in failure by the manufacturers (all camera makes do this)? There are Canon AE-1's, Nikon EM's, Olympus OM-10's that have many many years and 'shutter activations' that are still shooting. What causes the death? My buddy shoots a Sony something or other, he's had it for 13 months, and the shutter died on him Sunday. By his estimation, he has 120k clicks.This will make all DSLRs worthless after about 10 years of use.