Buying a Camera with a Bad Shutter: The Mathematics of Risk

Attractive offers are often found on message boards:“Selling Nikon D810 / Canon 5D Mark IV, issues Err error, the shutter does not work. Price 20,000 rubles"(with a market value of the working chamber of 65,000–75,000 rubles).

How profitable is it to buy a camera for subsequent shutter repair at a service center? Let's look at the financial side of the question.

What is the cost of replacing the shutter?

1. Cost of a new bolt block (spare part):The original new bolt comes complete with motor and spring block.
   • Crop cameras (Nikon D3500/D5600, Canon 800D): **4,500 – 7,500 RUR**
   • Advanced crop and full frame (Nikon D750/D810, Canon 6D II): **9,000 – 16,000 RUR**
   • Flagship pro cameras (Nikon D5/D6, Canon 1DX III): **22,000 – 35,000 rub.**
2. Cost of the master's work:Replacing the shutter requires complete disassembly of the camera body, wiring some cables, further adjustment and calibration of the curtain balance. In independent services the cost of work ranges from **4,000 to 8,000 rubles**.

Comparative table of repair costs by brand

Camera model	Cost of spare parts	Master's work	Final budget
Nikon D3300/D5300	4,000 – 5,500 rub.	3,500 rub.	7,500 – 9,000 rub.
Nikon D750/D800	9,500 – 12,000 rub.	5,000 rub.	14,500 – 17,000 rub.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III/IV	10,000 – 14,000 rub.	5,500 rub.	15,500 – 19,500 rub.
Sony A7 II / A7 III	11,000 – 15,000 rub.	6,000 rub.	17,000 – 21,000 rub.

Main risk: Hidden defects after a fall

An “Err” error or a clicking shutter can be caused not by banal resource exhaustion, but by a strong blow or fall cameras**.

When impacted, in addition to the shutter, the bayonet helicoid is often damaged, the internal magnesium struts crack, or the autofocus sensor unit. In this case, buying a replacement carcass will become unprofitable.