The evolution of shutters: from fabric curtains to pixel readers

In modern cameras (DSLR and mirrorless) there are 3 fundamentally different shutter modes:

1. Fully mechanical shutter:the first curtain opens, the second closes. Physical mechanics are triggered, vibrations and wear occur.
2. Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter (EFCS / Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter):exposure begins with an electronic reset of the charge of the matrix pixels, and ends with a physical mechanical curtain.
3. Fully electronic silent shutter (Silent / Electronic Shutter):shutter mechanics in general retracted and fixed. Reading occurs from the rows of the matrix. Mechanical wear - ZERO (0%).

Comparison of shooting modes: pros, cons and wear and tear

Shutter mode	Main advantages	Cons and pitfalls	Mechanical wear
Mechanical	No Rolling Shutter, no stripes from LED lamps, work at shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec.	Noise, micro-smear from the impact of the curtain (“micro-contrast”).	100% (Maximum)
Electronic Front Curtain (EFCS)	No vibration when pressing the shutter, perfect sharpness in macro and landscapes.	At shutter speeds faster than 1/2000 it can slightly cut off the bokeh on fast lenses (f/1.2 - f/1.4).	50% (Half as low!)
Fully electronic (Silent)	Quiet, 20-60 fps, zero wear.	Rolling Shutter effect (distortion of fast objects), bending with artificial light.	0% (Missing)

5 Expert Tips: How to extend the life of a mechanical shutter by 2-3 times

1. Enable EFCS for normal everyday shooting.This will save the resource of the first curtain drive and will reduce the load on the lamellas.
2. Use an electronic shutter for time-lapses and bracketing.Shoot a timelapse of 2000 frames with a mechanical shutter is a sure way to waste 5% of the resource in one evening!
3. Do not shoot series longer than 10-15 frames in a row in the cold.Allow the thickened lubricant in the bolt the block warms up.
4. Avoid getting dust on the shutter unit when changing optics.Hold the camera with the mount facing downwards lens replacement time.
5. Regularly check the operating time of the shutter.Knowing the exact dynamics of the shot, you will never find yourself with a camera that failed right in the middle of a crucial shoot.