Post by BuckSkin on Oct 16, 2021 6:31:52 GMT
I wanted to check the shutter count on our cameras and discovered that special software was necessary.
First, I found this, EOSinfo: (FREE)
drive.google.com/file/d/0BwEXGtHNtx2ec3ZZVGp3R0lCOEE/view?resourcekey=0-zJFvI9CWOaB-heIis7rqQw
I had already read several positive accounts and followed a link to there; click the Download button, un-zip the RAR file, and it is ready to go.
Although this one does not install, it still asked me for Administrator permission before it opened.
With the program on the screen, I USB-connected the camera, turned ON the camera, and there was the information; Serial Number, Shutter Count, Firmware, Battery Level, Owner, Copyright, Artist.
This program only displays the information; it does not change anything.
+++++++++++++++
Then, I found this, CanonEosDigitalInfo: (FREE)
sourceforge.net/projects/canon-eos-digital-info/
This program does not install either; and, no Administrator permission box appears; it just immediately opens, ready for action.
It displays everything that EOSinfo does, PLUS, it has the ability to write the Owner, Artist, and Copyright fields; and, a HUGE PLUS, you can click a button to synchronize the camera with the computer clock, right down to the second = this is a huge benefit in synchronizing several cameras; I cannot count the times I have tried and tried to do this otherwise with very little success.
Another nice feature is, by clicking a button, it will save both a screenshot and a text file of what you are seeing and what you have done.
I downloaded and thoroughly tested both programs on several cameras; and, at least in my experience, my computer is still working, all the cameras are still working, and I haven't yet been abducted by aliens.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The new-to-me-yesterday 7D displayed two more actuations than advertised; 8710; I figure someone snapped a couple more test shots after ascertaining the count.
When I checked the wife's 7D, also a used EBay purchase from December, 2019, I was pleasantly surprised to find it with a count of only 4107; it must have barely been used prior to us getting it.
Our two Rebel T3 have worked a bit harder.
Her brand-new-in-the-box Christmas, 2013, T3 read 55,267; and, my July, 2014, EBay T3 read 33,917
For some quirky reason or other, I could not get a reading on my 7DMkII.
Every time I turned the 7DMkII ON, the bottom line of the program would read "Camera Detected Canon EOS 7D Mark II; but, when I would then click the "Connect" button that was supposed to then display the findings, it would say No Camera Connected.
The description lists the 7DMkII as a supported camera; I am going to have to do a bit of investigative troubleshooting to get this figured.
xXxXxXxXxXxX
Now, a bit about writing the Owner, Artist, and Copyright information.
On a Canon Camera, you cannot write the Owner information without special software; CanonEosDigitalInfo does it for you.
While the camera has the ability to write Artist and Copyright information, it is a dreaded exercise in working the camera buttons on a tiny key screen, making a dozen mistakes and having to start over; with CanonEosDigitalInfo, you just type in the info like you would in any text-editing program; not nearly so stressful as doing it in camera.
These programs are Canon only, as best I can tell; maybe someone makes a similar program for your favorite brand.
If you got this far, thanks for reading.
First, I found this, EOSinfo: (FREE)
drive.google.com/file/d/0BwEXGtHNtx2ec3ZZVGp3R0lCOEE/view?resourcekey=0-zJFvI9CWOaB-heIis7rqQw
I had already read several positive accounts and followed a link to there; click the Download button, un-zip the RAR file, and it is ready to go.
Although this one does not install, it still asked me for Administrator permission before it opened.
With the program on the screen, I USB-connected the camera, turned ON the camera, and there was the information; Serial Number, Shutter Count, Firmware, Battery Level, Owner, Copyright, Artist.
This program only displays the information; it does not change anything.
+++++++++++++++
Then, I found this, CanonEosDigitalInfo: (FREE)
sourceforge.net/projects/canon-eos-digital-info/
This program does not install either; and, no Administrator permission box appears; it just immediately opens, ready for action.
It displays everything that EOSinfo does, PLUS, it has the ability to write the Owner, Artist, and Copyright fields; and, a HUGE PLUS, you can click a button to synchronize the camera with the computer clock, right down to the second = this is a huge benefit in synchronizing several cameras; I cannot count the times I have tried and tried to do this otherwise with very little success.
Another nice feature is, by clicking a button, it will save both a screenshot and a text file of what you are seeing and what you have done.
I downloaded and thoroughly tested both programs on several cameras; and, at least in my experience, my computer is still working, all the cameras are still working, and I haven't yet been abducted by aliens.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The new-to-me-yesterday 7D displayed two more actuations than advertised; 8710; I figure someone snapped a couple more test shots after ascertaining the count.
When I checked the wife's 7D, also a used EBay purchase from December, 2019, I was pleasantly surprised to find it with a count of only 4107; it must have barely been used prior to us getting it.
Our two Rebel T3 have worked a bit harder.
Her brand-new-in-the-box Christmas, 2013, T3 read 55,267; and, my July, 2014, EBay T3 read 33,917
For some quirky reason or other, I could not get a reading on my 7DMkII.
Every time I turned the 7DMkII ON, the bottom line of the program would read "Camera Detected Canon EOS 7D Mark II; but, when I would then click the "Connect" button that was supposed to then display the findings, it would say No Camera Connected.
The description lists the 7DMkII as a supported camera; I am going to have to do a bit of investigative troubleshooting to get this figured.
xXxXxXxXxXxX
Now, a bit about writing the Owner, Artist, and Copyright information.
On a Canon Camera, you cannot write the Owner information without special software; CanonEosDigitalInfo does it for you.
While the camera has the ability to write Artist and Copyright information, it is a dreaded exercise in working the camera buttons on a tiny key screen, making a dozen mistakes and having to start over; with CanonEosDigitalInfo, you just type in the info like you would in any text-editing program; not nearly so stressful as doing it in camera.
These programs are Canon only, as best I can tell; maybe someone makes a similar program for your favorite brand.
If you got this far, thanks for reading.
I have been trying to find a way to read the shutter counts on my Canon cameras for ages now.
Maybe I should clean the garage and organize my off office. 
