Stupid Question...

[90sShooter]

I noticed while browsing the classifieds for used cameras (I bought a new one but I did browse craigslist during my search), I noticed that some people advertised the amount of "clicks" or pictures that the camera had taken. This made some sense as it gives you a general idea on how used the camera is. My question is, is it bad to take a lot of pictures? Do the machanical parts in the camera wear out? The reason I ask is ever since I got my camera I have been taking pictures like CRAZY! Every chance I get I am taking pictures. Also since I am an amatuer, I find that the first shot doesn't always come out like I want it so I mess with a setting and try again. Sometime I take SEVERAL pictures of the same thing so that I can compare them later. Is this a bad thing? I don't want to wear out my camera but I bought it for a reason...

Also, instead of making two seperate threads, maybe you guys can help me out with another question. I was at a local reefers house and he was helping me out a little with my new camera showing me a couple things about it. He had this white balance cap for his camera to set custom white balance for different settings. I was wondering what is the best method for this? I have seen white balance cards, or these filter caps. Also, does it matter what brand cap? or do they all pretty much do the same thing? If so can you recommend one? Thanks guys!

 

[xtm]

The shutter does wear out overtime, but it will take some time. For example, my D300 is rated at 150K shutter actuations.. that is equivalent to taking 20 pictures a day, EVERYDAY for 20 years. Bottom line... don't worry about it. Just snap away, you don't want to miss that moment

btw, I use Opanda IEXIF (freeware) to view my shutter actuation count.

I have no experience with WB caps...

 

[90sShooter]

cool thanks Joseph! Your pictures were partly responsible for getting me into DSLRs... So I guess that means you should be partly responsible financially lol

Check out this pic I snapped in big bear... not my best pic but it stood out to me for some reason... hehe maybe cause the subject was about 50+ yrds and that is something I couldn't do with my P&S...

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

How many actuations your camera is designed to last will vary greatly. My Canon 40D is rated for 100,000. Many cheaper DSLRS are just that...cheap, and they may be rated for 10,000 "clicks" before you should expect to have problems. Now days I think every current DSLR is made to last at least 50,000. Everything with moving parts breaks. Cameras have very fast moving parts and they have to move EXACTLY when and where they are supposed to. I mean think about it, your shutter has to move out of the way and close again in 1/8000 of a second. If its too slow and only does it in 1/6000 of a second, every picture will be too dark. Designing those parts to last and the material required to make them last cost money. As a general rule more current, more expensive cameras will last longer.

I think the Xsi is rated for 50,000 but that could be wrong. Quick and unscientific Google research suggested it.

Just because your shutter goes out, that doesn't mean your camera turns to dust. It can still be sent in to get fixed. There are of course many other

 

[ngn8dogg]

I have OPANDA EXIF , where on does it say on there the actuations??

 

[xtm]

Hey Austin.. You know what's funny? When we were at the Playboy Mansion, I've been snapping pics of Hef and the girls about 50 metres away with my 200mm telephoto, while the kids with their point-and-shoot could do nothing but watch. When Hef came out, they all swarmed around him taking pics and all but Hef walked too fast and they only got about 2 shots..LOL

Here's a site that has a database of camera shutter life expectancy. http://olegkikin.com/shutterlife/

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14076838#post14076838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
I have OPANDA EXIF , where on does it say on there the actuations??

Must be an image that is unaltered by PS, for some reason PS removes this data from the EXIF.

 

[ngn8dogg]

thanks , I always use photoshop so thats why I never realized I guess. Appreciate the help

 

[ngn8dogg]

some reason mine still not showing it?

 

[TWallace]

For white balance, I shoot in raw and adjust the white balance in Adobe Camera Raw.

If you don't have access to that, you can point your camera at the sand (unless you're one of those weirdos who has a hideous bare-bottom tank ) and take a custom white balance shot.