D4/D4s Shutter actuations /price reflection buy used

Ron Carlson

Senior Member
I read that the D4 has like a 400,000 shutter actuation warranty. Can't find any info on the D4s. I have a neighbor that has the D4 who will sell his to me for $5,000.00. I asked him how many pics he has taken already. It's 248,000 and change. He states he called his camera shop and they have never heard of a D4 shutter failure until the 900,000 to million shutter actuations. Has owner of a D4 gone well over the 400,000 mark with no issues or can shed some light on this subject? Thanx.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
The answer is......you never know how many actuations any camera will make before failure. I wouldn't bank on 900,000 though. I wouldn't pay $5,000 for one with 248,000 either. I would buy a D810, or look for a lower actuation count on a D4(s).
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
There will not be a warranty on shutter count but looking whats for sale this side of the water that count isnt bad but the price looks a bit steep.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I read that the D4 has like a 400,000 shutter actuation warranty.

I wouldn't pay any full price for 248,000 shutter activations. It's like a ten year old car, things happen.

A lot less than $5000 will buy various other new models, which can be quite fine cameras. Think about that a bit more.

The 400,000 number is NOT a warranty. The warranty is one year on the camera, period (and only for original owner).

But the D3/D4 do have better/faster shutters that have been tested, so it is just a prediction for a greater number until shutter failure.

Here is a database of when actual shutters failed. I do not know the source, or the integrity. Probably one repair shop? But the idea is some always fail early, some last forever, and there is a zone of probable failure rate.

Camera Shutter Life Database

D4 is not there yet, but the D3 shows most failures between 50,000 and 500,000. And a few at 5000.
Says the average D3 shutter failed at 218,000
(average of those in this shop with some failure).
Average for lesser models is much lower.

Seems fair to say that none of those old ones with no problems, and the shutter still working fine, were included in this survey.

Again, I have no idea of the accuracy of the data? But the idea is right.
 
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J-see

Senior Member
If I apply the numbers of the D3000 on my D3300, I'll have to carry life-support along if I take it out next time.

​It's like Schrodinger's cat; dead and not dead.
 

LouCioccio

Senior Member
Ron,
Look here Search Results Cameta will extend the refurb warranty for the rest of the year plus they have reasonably priced extended plans. I have bought refurb flashes,bodies,and lenses from them and only their 1 year warranty. They are used at events and are still working. Even anything I buy from Apple and printers are refurb's and you still get a warranty.
On those MTBF on either hard drives, cameras and locomotives; I worked in the Measurement Lab at GE Erie and basically that what we tested. How long an item an engineer or vendor made would last on locomotive, off highway, oil well drilling motor, etc would last. The tests were figured for 10 or 20 years and I don't think the warranties were that long.
That being said when you are spending 5K I think I would go elsewhere. Even KEH would be better as they may not have the longest warranty on their used items they do stand behind them.
I am typing this on a refurb iMac.

​Lou Cioccio
 
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ShootRaw

Senior Member
That is a rip-off..Save $1500 more and get a brand new D4s... Not sure if you need the D4s for sports or what..But you could buy a D810 and D750 with that 5K as well...
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
There will not be a warranty on shutter count but looking whats for sale this side of the water that count isnt bad but the price looks a bit steep.
Deffo, at the current exchange rate, that works out at £3200. You can get one for £2250 with 117,000 over here
www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Nikon D4
Or a one with 90k in excellent condition for £2550 (2985 USD)
www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Nikon D4
But that's over here and i don't know their respective prices in the U.S
 

Ron Carlson

Senior Member
Thanx for the advice. I thought it was a bit pricey for that many actuations. For 1500 dollars more, i'd rather have a brand new, out of the box with warranty.
 
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