Camera failure - Longevity

**skid2964** · 11-19-2022, 09:30 AM - **18 Likes**

Some people care about shutter click count; they post how many "clicks" their camera has, etc.

I'm a professional real estate photographer and have done about 12,000 photoshoots since 2009, cycling out camera bodies after about 100,000 clicks.
Last year, I decided to keep using my latest camera with a backup body and lens in my camera case.

This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long.
I grabbed my backup with about 135,000 clicks on it and kept going.

Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens.
The lens I was using probably has around a million clicks on it!

**que es tu** · 11-19-2022, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by skid2964

Some people care about shutter click count; they post how many "clicks" their camera has, etc.

I'm a professional real estate photographer and have done about 12,000 photoshoots since 2009, cycling out camera bodies after about 100,000 clicks.
Last year, I decided to keep using my latest camera with a backup body and lens in my camera case.

This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long.
I grabbed my backup with about 135,000 clicks on it and kept going.

Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens.
The lens I was using probably has around a million clicks on it!

300000+ on a “consumer” body K 50! That’s pretty darn good! At that rate my KP should last forever!

**bwgv001** · 11-19-2022, 09:36 AM

So the K-50 was worth it's money. Congratulations

JohnMc · 11-19-2022, 10:58 AM

Outlasted a FEX Photo Pack Matic!

mikesbike · 11-19-2022, 12:56 PM

Pretty impressive! And as already said, these are just consumer-grade cameras and affirmed by both being K-50 models holding up so well, and not even developing the dreaded aperture control failure!

The Squirrel Mafia · 11-19-2022, 02:24 PM

Pretty good!

**skid2964** · 11-19-2022, 03:08 PM - **4 Likes**

More fun facts:

I made about $400,000 with the camera that failed, and I bought it used for $350 with 3,400 clicks on it; pretty good return!

The last photo it ever took was as good as the first photo it ever took.

Last edited by skid2964; 11-19-2022 at 03:15 PM.

The Squirrel Mafia · 11-19-2022, 05:20 PM

^ Wow! How'd you do that? Definitely a good return.

**Digitalis** · 11-20-2022, 12:23 AM

My Pentax K5IIs is heading toward 400,000 - Timelapse photography being responsible for the bulk of it. My two K1 bodies are both over 50,000 mark and my trusty K10D I have had since it came out...I'll get back to you on that.

Kiwizinho · 11-20-2022, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by skid2964

Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens.

That makes a very good case for replacing a bad solenoid in a K-50 well worth the expense.

That's a really good return on the Sigma 10-20. I have one and don't like it, so bought a DA 12-24 as an upgrade that I like far better, but for real estate, I'm guessing corner to corner sharpness at high resolution isn't what's needed, but as wide as possible is.

**MrB1** · 11-20-2022, 02:30 AM - **1 Like**

Although a few cameras is too small a sample from which to extrapolate, these excellent numbers would appear to indicate that the reliability of our gear probably benefits from its regular use. So perhaps the lesson to learn from this is to enjoy shooting more and as often as possible!

Philip

**skid2964** · 11-20-2022, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia

^ Wow! How'd you do that? Definitely a good return.

That's just the ROI on that one camera, total income over the years is much more. I did it as a Real Estate Photographer.

---------- Post added 11-20-22 at 10:43 AM ----------

Originally posted by Kiwizinho

That makes a very good case for replacing a bad solenoid in a K-50 well worth the expense.

That's a really good return on the Sigma 10-20. I have one and don't like it, so bought a DA 12-24 as an upgrade that I like far better, but for real estate, I'm guessing corner to corner sharpness at high resolution isn't what's needed, but as wide as possible is.

I have a DA 12-24 but I didn't want to wear it out, LOL

---------- Post added 11-20-22 at 10:46 AM ----------

Originally posted by MrB1

Although a few cameras is too small a sample from which to extrapolate, these excellent numbers would appear to indicate that the reliability of our gear probably benefits from its regular use. So perhaps the lesson to learn from this is to enjoy shooting more and as often as possible!

Philip

That's why I posted, "the last photo was as good as the first." I remember, at first, being concerned about wearing out my cameras.

Everyone needs to just shoot and enjoy!

**kkoether** · 11-20-2022, 10:04 AM - **1 Like**

My K200D is at 66679. My K-3 has 189948 and my K-3 III has 33305. They do get a lot of use. Racing weekends it is not unusual to take 5000+ images a day. All 3 bodies still work just fine.

**leekil** · 11-20-2022, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by skid2964

This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long.

When it failed, what happened? It just wouldn't operate the shutter, or there was some mechanical catastrophe?

**clackers** · 11-20-2022, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by leekil

When it failed, what happened? It just wouldn't operate the shutter, or there was some mechanical catastrophe?

Yeah, the K-5's shutter from that era is rated at 100,000 clicks.

They're moving parts - they wear. A black or shaded part of the image may be an early warning.

11-19-2022, 09:30 AM - 18 Likes	#1
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	Camera failure - Longevity Some people care about shutter click count; they post how many "clicks" their camera has, etc. I'm a professional real estate photographer and have done about 12,000 photoshoots since 2009, cycling out camera bodies after about 100,000 clicks. Last year, I decided to keep using my latest camera with a backup body and lens in my camera case. This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long. I grabbed my backup with about 135,000 clicks on it and kept going. Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens. The lens I was using probably has around a million clicks on it!

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11-19-2022, 09:35 AM	#2
que es tu Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Smoky Mountains, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,114	Originally posted by skid2964 Some people care about shutter click count; they post how many "clicks" their camera has, etc. I'm a professional real estate photographer and have done about 12,000 photoshoots since 2009, cycling out camera bodies after about 100,000 clicks. Last year, I decided to keep using my latest camera with a backup body and lens in my camera case. This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long. I grabbed my backup with about 135,000 clicks on it and kept going. Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens. The lens I was using probably has around a million clicks on it! 300000+ on a “consumer” body K 50! That’s pretty darn good! At that rate my KP should last forever!

11-19-2022, 09:36 AM	#3
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 668	So the K-50 was worth it's money. Congratulations

11-19-2022, 10:58 AM	#4
JohnMc Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 455	Outlasted a FEX Photo Pack Matic!

11-19-2022, 12:56 PM	#5
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,321	Pretty impressive! And as already said, these are just consumer-grade cameras and affirmed by both being K-50 models holding up so well, and not even developing the dreaded aperture control failure!

11-19-2022, 02:24 PM	#6
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,890	Pretty good!

11-19-2022, 03:08 PM - 4 Likes	#7
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614 Original Poster	More fun facts: I made about $400,000 with the camera that failed, and I bought it used for $350 with 3,400 clicks on it; pretty good return! The last photo it ever took was as good as the first photo it ever took. Last edited by skid2964; 11-19-2022 at 03:15 PM.

11-19-2022, 05:20 PM	#8
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,890	^ Wow! How'd you do that? Definitely a good return.

11-20-2022, 12:23 AM	#9
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide,South Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,324	My Pentax K5IIs is heading toward 400,000 - Timelapse photography being responsible for the bulk of it. My two K1 bodies are both over 50,000 mark and my trusty K10D I have had since it came out...I'll get back to you on that.

11-20-2022, 01:22 AM	#10
Kiwizinho Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Blenheim Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,113	Originally posted by skid2964 Both are K50s using a Sigma 10-20mm lens. That makes a very good case for replacing a bad solenoid in a K-50 well worth the expense. That's a really good return on the Sigma 10-20. I have one and don't like it, so bought a DA 12-24 as an upgrade that I like far better, but for real estate, I'm guessing corner to corner sharpness at high resolution isn't what's needed, but as wide as possible is.

11-20-2022, 02:30 AM - 1 Like	#11
MrB1 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 795	Although a few cameras is too small a sample from which to extrapolate, these excellent numbers would appear to indicate that the reliability of our gear probably benefits from its regular use. So perhaps the lesson to learn from this is to enjoy shooting more and as often as possible! Philip

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11-20-2022, 09:42 AM	#12
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614 Original Poster	Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia ^ Wow! How'd you do that? Definitely a good return. That's just the ROI on that one camera, total income over the years is much more. I did it as a Real Estate Photographer. ---------- Post added 11-20-22 at 10:43 AM ---------- Originally posted by Kiwizinho That makes a very good case for replacing a bad solenoid in a K-50 well worth the expense. That's a really good return on the Sigma 10-20. I have one and don't like it, so bought a DA 12-24 as an upgrade that I like far better, but for real estate, I'm guessing corner to corner sharpness at high resolution isn't what's needed, but as wide as possible is. I have a DA 12-24 but I didn't want to wear it out, LOL ---------- Post added 11-20-22 at 10:46 AM ---------- Originally posted by MrB1 Although a few cameras is too small a sample from which to extrapolate, these excellent numbers would appear to indicate that the reliability of our gear probably benefits from its regular use. So perhaps the lesson to learn from this is to enjoy shooting more and as often as possible! Philip That's why I posted, "the last photo was as good as the first." I remember, at first, being concerned about wearing out my cameras. Everyone needs to just shoot and enjoy!

11-20-2022, 10:04 AM - 1 Like	#13
kkoether Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 697	My K200D is at 66679. My K-3 has 189948 and my K-3 III has 33305. They do get a lot of use. Racing weekends it is not unusual to take 5000+ images a day. All 3 bodies still work just fine.

11-20-2022, 07:55 PM	#14
leekil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,785	Originally posted by skid2964 This week, it completely failed; shutter count? 318,231 I wasn't even bothered by it since it lasted so long. When it failed, what happened? It just wouldn't operate the shutter, or there was some mechanical catastrophe?

11-20-2022, 10:30 PM	#15
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,138	Originally posted by leekil When it failed, what happened? It just wouldn't operate the shutter, or there was some mechanical catastrophe? Yeah, the K-5's shutter from that era is rated at 100,000 clicks. They're moving parts - they wear. A black or shaded part of the image may be an early warning.