?Importance nr actuations when buying used

[PaulBennett]

I looking to purchase a used D2H for my first digital SLR. I see reference in some ads to the number of actuations. Am starting to think it's similiar to the number of miles on a used car.

I don't expect to use the camera heavily but am aware an 8 fps camera may have been abused by the PO. Just don't know what wears out. Does mirror slap worsen at quarter million frames or ??

[TPF Sponsor]

[lifeafter2am]

Well after so many actuations the shutter can fail. Most companies have a number that they say the camera is rated until. Most of the time though this number is much lower than what most people will get from the camera, but with a lot of actuations, there is no guarantee that it will continue to last without having to be fixed.

So in short, actuations are important.

Just as an example the new D3's are rated for 300,000 actuations. It is not guaranteed for that many, just rated for it.

[Sideburns]

after a quarter million....
a lot of cameras aren't even actuating at all...
You can get the shutter replaced, but it's a pain.

[Garbz]

Pain is not the word I would describe taking it to the nearest photo shop paying them a bit of money and coming and collecting it 2 weeks later. An expense it would be