Explain Shutter Actuations?

Hello, I am really new to photography and I'm still learning a lot, taking a class and just bought my first used DSLR, an older one, 300d but figured it's a good start for me.

I have a question about shutter actuations. I see many people referencing this when selling their cameras and people ask about it all the time. I have gathered that a camera's shutter only has a certain life span and I guess after so many shutter actuations the shutter is bound to die out?

Question is, if this happens to a camera can the shutter just be replaced or do you basically have to buy a new camera? Is it really expensive to do this??

If the shutter can be easily replaced then why so much importance on how many shutter actuations a camera has?

I'm thinking that because there is such a strong emphasis placed on it and people seem to always ask about this that it is very costly to replace a shutter on a camera.

I guess i am just wondering because the DSLR I bought is older and the owner did not have it for very long, did not use it very much but also did not have any info about the shutter actuations or it was not posted in the sale ad.

If this is a stupid question sorry for my ignorance but I'm just trying to learn about all this. I did do a search on the board for a topic similar to this but could not find anything.

Thanks in advance for your responses

The shutters on canon DSLR's have a rated life of about 100K. That doesnt mean they are guaranteed to get to 100K, or that it will fail the moment it hits. Its a mechanical device and thats just a rated lifespan. Those things can fail at any point. The usual repair cost for a new shutter assembly is between $200 and $250. I'm not sure whether the 300D records the shutter count or not. But since you bought it already there is really no reason to worry. Use it until it breaks, then use it as a paperweight and buy a new one as the repair costs are more than or near the replacement cost.

Thank you so much for your quick response!! I didn't pay a lot for the 300d so when the shutter eventually breaks I'll probably just trade it in under the Canon loyalty program and buy myself a brand new camera. I figure by that time I'll be ready for a more advanced DSLR

mpadula wrote in post #12031160
Thank you so much for your quick response!! I didn't pay a lot for the 300d so when the shutter eventually breaks I'll probably just trade it in under the Canon loyalty program and buy myself a brand new camera. I figure by that time I'll be ready for a more advanced DSLR

Since the loyalty program only requires a canon camera, pretty much any canon camera you might as well keep your old body for fun or practical jokes ( fake bumping into a friend and dropping it ) Just use an old canon point and shoot for the loyalty program, you can find one at any garage sale.

I like car analogies, and I think it's reasonable to equate it to miles on a car. My transmission might last 500k miles, or maybe only 80k. The way I treat it will probably have some bearing on that lifespan, but even the best of maintenance won't make it last forever.

If I remember right the 300D Rebel shutter is not rated for 100,000 but for 50,000 .But it is a nice beginner camera to learn with mine is still being used by my brother also it was bought in 2005.

http://simulated.ca …-20d_shutter_replacemen​t/
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=52418
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=42034