Uncovering the Truth about Shutter Count on Your Sony Camera: A Real-Life Scenario

As a photographer, you're likely no stranger to the world of camera gear and the importance of keeping track of your equipment's usage. With this in mind, I'd like to share a personal experience with a recent purchase from B&H Photo, which highlights the value of verifying shutter count on your Sony camera.

I recently received my brand-new Sony A1 from B&H Photo, and as I eagerly unboxed it, I couldn't wait to put it through its paces. Little did I know that my excitement would soon turn into concern when I discovered a surprise waiting for me in the form of an unusually high shutter count.

As I checked the camera's settings, I was shocked to find that the shutter count had already reached 776! Given that I'd only taken it out for a casual photo shoot over the weekend, this seemed entirely too high. My mind began racing with questions - did B&H send me a used machine? Was someone else using my brand-new camera before they shipped it to me?

To get to the bottom of things, I decided to use Exiftool to check the shutter count on my first photo taken with the camera. And indeed, the results were conclusive: 776 shutter clicks had already been logged.

Now, you might be thinking, 'So what's the big deal?' Well, for me, it was a matter of principle - I didn't want to pay full price for a brand-new camera that someone else had already used extensively. It's not unreasonable to expect a certain level of transparency and honesty from retailers, especially when it comes to high-end equipment.

In hindsight, I probably should have been more thorough in my initial inspection, but the box and body were relatively clean, so I didn't give it much thought. However, this experience has taught me a valuable lesson: always double-check your camera's shutter count before accepting delivery.

If you're considering purchasing from B&H Photo or any other retailer, make sure to ask about the camera's usage history and shutter count. In general, it's not uncommon for cameras to show some wear and tear, but 700+ photos is a significant amount - especially on a brand-new device.

In this case, I'll be contacting customer service at B&H Photo to report my findings and see what they have to say about the situation. Perhaps they can shed some light on what happened and offer a solution or partial refund.

The moral of the story? Don't take anything for granted, and always verify the shutter count on your camera before accepting delivery. It may seem like a minor detail, but it's essential in maintaining trust with your equipment and ensuring you get what you pay for.

Have any of you had similar experiences with high shutter counts or used cameras? Share your stories in the comments below!

Exiftool shutter count sony