EOS cameras pre-programed to die?

I just finished taking a course from a very experience photographer. He claimed that EOS Digital cameras are pre-programed to die after a certain number of exposures/shutter activations. He said that his (I think he said it was a 1Ds)...just quit on him after 700,000.

I know that the shutters are rated for a number of activations...but I have a hard time believing that the camera would just die on purpose.

Any thoughts?

700,000 for a camera said to have 200,000 is 3.5x what is predicted. I'd say, he got a bargain. Don't think that's true.

He's complaining after 700,000 shots ?

no. thats a lot of pictures and I'm sure it was something internal that gave out. the shutter is easy to replace, and is similar to the timing belt of a car, its a number to pay attention to, but if it goes or needs to be replaced, it doesn't mean you throw the car away.

I heard on a website that all cameras are programed to die after exactly 700,000 shots.
Apprently its something to do with government regulation of photography.
Fortunatly you can get around this problem by wrapping the camera in a damp towel, or useing a special tinfoil camera holder.

Moppie wrote in post #2272819
I heard on a website that all cameras are programed to die after exactly 700,000 shots.
Apprently its something to do with government regulation of photography.
Fortunatly you can get around this problem by wrapping the camera in a damp towel, or useing a special tinfoil camera holder.

Stretching cling film/ saran wrap over the front of the anti alias filter helps too. It also keeps dust of the sensor, you just have to change the plastic film!

If you work out what it would have cost to develop 700 000 slide exposures, your friend is well ahead of the game! I think you are getting your chain yanked a little, Mike!

Moppie wrote in post #2272819
I heard on a website that all cameras are programed to die after exactly 700,000 shots.
Apprently its something to do with government regulation of photography.
Fortunatly you can get around this problem by wrapping the camera in a damp towel, or useing a special tinfoil camera holder.

This is from the other thread. LOL. Thanks for reminding me of it.

I suppose that Canon builds in a random number generator so that the computer can cause something to fail even if it is mechanical, but the random number generator prevents it from looking like it is really PLANNED to fail, in case the U.S. Federal Trade Commission starts to investigate a pattern of failures as suspicious.

If your experienced photo teacher is spouting this type of garbage, I would wonder about the rest of what he is teaching you. Whatta jerk!

Everybody knows that only the auto companies can do that. The point of failure is based on the number of times the dome light comes on.

Big Mike wrote in post #2272742
I just finished taking a course from a very experience photographer. He claimed that EOS Digital cameras are pre-programed to die after a certain number of exposures/shutter activations. He said that his (I think he said it was a 1Ds)...just quit on him after 700,000.

I tell you how this sounds like. My biology teacher claim that Humans are pre-programmed to die after a certain number of years. He said his Grandpa just died on him after 120 years.

Everything is pre-programmed to die including you. That time period is governed by a plethora of variables some controllable, some not. Generally for the EOS camera line, the more you pay for the body, the longer it will last. A 1D MarkII is going to use better materials, be bigger and more robust so that it can get a whole lot more actuations before failing but it too will fail.

But seriously, 700,000 actuations? That’s over 320 actuations a day. Assuming that thy guy gets his 8 hours mama always say was important to get, that 20 pictures an hour. Someone seems to have developed a real bad case of rapid fire shooting.

Holly Cow Batman! 700,000 shutter clicks.

Came out about Dec 2002, and its near Dec 2006, that's 4 years. or 700,000/4=175,000 per year or about 480 shots per day.

I Don't Think So.

lol 700000 shots. sure. the only person i think could put that many shots on a camera body in that little time would be a pro sports photog.

and ipods are programmed to shut down whenever the new models come out

That's what I said to begin with. That seems extremely high. Maybe the teacher passed the camera from one student to another and they took turns shooting all day. My trigger finger would have needed major physical therapy if I shot that much.

Its possible the guy just had a very dry sense of humour