Clicker activations - how can you tell?

Embarrassed by my ignorance – how do you know how many times you have clicked? It is only since becoming more involved in camera forums that I realised you could tell and this seems a good place to ask

Unfortunately you can not tell on all cameras, normally only the higher end ones (certainly this is true with Canon - the 1D series does come with the feature and you can read it in the EXIF data).

I think with some Nikons, it is also embedded in their EXIF data?

Why did I not think of that, know my cameras can be read just did not know where to look, thanks.

Software like Opanda etc. can do it. Not sure if all cameras will tell you as it is possible to do a master reset. Jpgs are numbered sequentially but I'm not sure if it takes into account Raws. Not an issue if you bought new (except Bazza!) but if you were buying secondhand you would want to know.

Too true BC also if you are wanting to price for sale - can always hope the amount of work a camera has done means you can decide that it does not need to be sold in order to buy a new one Sorry getting a bit excited.

Speaking for Nikon you can choose to start your count from zero or allow a running count on the file names it saves. I shoot only in RAW and the system does the same there. As far as MTBF data I attach the following note:

Hidden away in the EXIF data for Nikon’s newer DSLRs is a count of the number of shutter actuations for the camera. In what is known as the ‘maker note’ section, there are quite a number of Nikon-specific tags, including ‘Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera.’ This is where the magic number can be found.

Unfortunately, this value is not read (to my knowledge) by any of Nikon’s software; and the incompatibilities between Adobe PhotoShop and Nikon EXIF are legion. Thankfully, there’s a neat litle freeware program from Opanda, iExif, that will do the trick.
Hidden away in the EXIF data for Nikon’s newer DSLRs is a count of the number of shutter actuations for the camera. In what is known as the ‘maker note’ section, there are quite a number of Nikon-specific tags, including ‘Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera.’ This is where the magic number can be found.

My companion is not a Nikon but it works in much the same way, do you happen to know the MTBF for the Nikon and or the Canon?

Sorry, what is MTFB?

MTBF = meantime between failures, how long or how many activations you should expect before service or replacement.

Just located my shutter count by using PhotoME I also discovered that my camera has not been serviced and what it's internal series number is. Not sure I wanted to know that but if you are selling or buying it may be important info.

You mentioned it in your original post?

MTBF = Mean time between failure

Snapper, it depends on the camera model you have. Mine is reported to be 100,000 actuations.