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Refurbed Nikon shutter count question

CharlieBrandt09

CharlieBrandt09

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 28, 2012
408
40
Southern NJ
I just got a refurbed Nikon D5200 on a darn good deal.

Some posters in the forum where I found the deal posted that they received cameras with high(ish) shutter counts of 8K+.

I ran the steps on how to figure it out through an EXIF data site and mine came up as "1". Is this possible? Can exif data be manipulated to show that or did I just get lucky on a rig that hadn't been used ever?
 
Last edited:
From what I understand, it can't be manipulated. Perhaps you got lucky :). When I got my refurb D5100, it had 48 shutter actuations.
 
Of course it can be manipulated. Nikon service software has been leaked in the last year that allows the reset of the shutter's counter of various models. While I haven't seen anything specifically for the D5200, (a) I haven't especially been looking and (b) I doubt the command interface is all that different for the same function amongst the different models. Frankly though, I'd double check that against a different tool and the file names if the camera hasn't been reset, as only an idiot would set it to 1 instead of say 142.

Once my D2x conks out, I'll probably start messing with the files floating around on the 'Net to see what commands are sent via a USB proxy.

Paul
 
CharlieBrandt09 said:
I just got a refurbed Nikon D5200 on a darn good deal.

Some posters in the forum where I found the deal posted that they received cameras with high(ish) shutter counts of 8K+.

I ran the steps on how to figure it out through an EXIF data site and mine came up as "1". Is this possible? Can exif data be manipulated to show that or did I just get lucky on a rig that hadn't been used ever?
Click to expand...

As the repairs are done by Nikon, Yes I assume they can reset the count. For example if they had to install a new shutter. Also one is a likely number if the camera was returned after it was opened but never used. Thethe "refurb" would only be repacking.

Even if the camera had 8K clicks on it, that is not a lot. Only a few percent of it's life.
 
If Nikon replace the shutter, the count doesn't reset to 1. A fried of mine had his D600 shutter replaced and that didn't happen. And yes he is still getting oil spots!
 
ChrisA said:
Even if the camera had 8K clicks on it, that is not a lot. Only a few percent of it's life.
Click to expand...

This.

The D5200's shutter life is estimated at 100,000 cycles. Even if you take 3/4ths of that as a worst-case, you're looking at years to failure for most photographers. If we assume your shutter luck is bad and you get 75,000 clicks before failure and you have 8,000 already, that leaves you with 67,000. At 50 images a day, every day, that'd give you over 3.5 years. If your shutter hit the MTBF number, it'd be 5 years at 50 images a day...

If you're really worried about it, then be sparing with LiveView, as it doubles the number of shutter actuations per image. Shutter replacements run $200-$400, so sock away $15/month "just in case."

Paul
 
Somebody buys a camera, opens the box, changes their mind and returns it. It goes back to a service center, gets checked out, repackaged and sold as a refurbished unit. It is actually common to get an excellent deal buying refurbished.
 
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