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kshapero · 02-11-2012, 10:52 PM

How many shutter actuations does Pentax rate the K-5?

Adam · 02-11-2012, 11:01 PM - **1 Like**

100,000 is the official figure

rawr · 02-12-2012, 01:21 AM

100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days - but the shutter lifetime rating doesn't mean the shutter will die after 100k is reached.

The shutter lifetime rating seems similar in concept to the MTBF rating you can get on hard drives. It's derived (I presume) from Pentax or the shutter manufacturer (Copal?) testing lots of shutters on the lab bench. Some shutters probably failed before 100k, many probably ran to 1 million actuations without a problem, but the average lifetime was (I guess) found to be about 100,000 actuations.

**TomB_tx** · 02-12-2012, 05:36 AM

Typically the marketing spec identifies the 100K figure for the product to support, and so the design is tested to assure it will meet it. That doesn't mean it won't also meet a higher MTBF figure, possibly they just didn't test enough to find out.
Sometimes the difference in specifications is a matter of teh target selling price. Don't rate the consumer models the same as more expensive pro models!

kshapero · 02-12-2012, 10:29 AM

Thanks folks

Wheatfield · 02-12-2012, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by rawr

100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days -

I suppose the manufacturers figure that their customers do have a life.

atekant · 02-12-2012, 11:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rawr

100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days - but the shutter lifetime rating doesn't mean the shutter will die after 100k is reached.

I really wouldn't worry about the shutter durability numbers.
If someone's using a camera for 100 shots a day, every day - unless that camera is sitting behind a window in a warm dry place on a tripod for all those shots, there are other things that would fail just from the elements, and just getting in and out of the bag, with that kind of usage, before the 3 years are out.

Think how many turns your e-dials will get for 100K shots.
And when you send the camera in because your e-dials are slipping, they will refurb the shutter as well.

02-11-2012, 10:52 PM	#1
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	Shutter durability How many shutter actuations does Pentax rate the K-5?

02-11-2012, 11:01 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	100,000 is the official figure Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-12-2012, 01:21 AM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days - but the shutter lifetime rating doesn't mean the shutter will die after 100k is reached. The shutter lifetime rating seems similar in concept to the MTBF rating you can get on hard drives. It's derived (I presume) from Pentax or the shutter manufacturer (Copal?) testing lots of shutters on the lab bench. Some shutters probably failed before 100k, many probably ran to 1 million actuations without a problem, but the average lifetime was (I guess) found to be about 100,000 actuations.

02-12-2012, 05:36 AM	#4
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Typically the marketing spec identifies the 100K figure for the product to support, and so the design is tested to assure it will meet it. That doesn't mean it won't also meet a higher MTBF figure, possibly they just didn't test enough to find out. Sometimes the difference in specifications is a matter of teh target selling price. Don't rate the consumer models the same as more expensive pro models!

02-12-2012, 10:29 AM	#5
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437 Original Poster	Thanks folks

02-12-2012, 10:56 AM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by rawr 100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days - I suppose the manufacturers figure that their customers do have a life.

02-12-2012, 11:41 AM - 1 Like	#7
atekant Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 96	Originally posted by rawr 100,000 doesn't sound a lot - 100 shots per day for 1000 days - but the shutter lifetime rating doesn't mean the shutter will die after 100k is reached. I really wouldn't worry about the shutter durability numbers. If someone's using a camera for 100 shots a day, every day - unless that camera is sitting behind a window in a warm dry place on a tripod for all those shots, there are other things that would fail just from the elements, and just getting in and out of the bag, with that kind of usage, before the 3 years are out. Think how many turns your e-dials will get for 100K shots. And when you send the camera in because your e-dials are slipping, they will refurb the shutter as well.

Shutter durability

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