What's the lifespan of a typical lens?

pitabread · 8th of February 2006 (Wed)

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I've been wondering... what's the average lifespan of a typical camera lens? L versus non-L? Do the motors ever wear out and need replacement? What about IS lenses? Do they need more maintenence in the long run versus non-IS lenses?

With the cost of those L lenses, I would hope they'd last for a long long time. But when I'm using my 100-400mm and the IS kicks in, I wonder how long those motors can keep ticking.

condyk · 8th of February 2006 (Wed)

Most of my lenses are probably 30 years old but they don't have AF or IS and are beautifully made the old fashioned way, but I don't think they're typical

DocFrankenstein · 8th of February 2006 (Wed)

IS goes out fast. You just need to bump your lens.

I've seen 70-200 disassembled and it's all plastic inside. The gears... the elements, electronical connections are not build to last. So if you really use it, then it WILL wear out.

I think in the future I'll go the way of condyk and get a few contax/leica/takumar lenses. Those last until they get fungus inside them or blades stick together.

Tom W · 8th of February 2006 (Wed)

These would be the folks to ask about durability....

They undoubtedly break one every now and then, but they give their lenses pretty rough treatment every Sunday afternoon.

My 400 served time in another life working for the San Diego Chargers, and came through relatively unscathed some 7-8 years later.

JayHawk · 8th of February 2006 (Wed)

I have a 20-35 2.8L that is about 12 years old, never had to have it serviced....my 70-200 2.8 had to go in recently because the AF motor stopped working properly. I used to have a 400 2.8 that never once needed service in 6 years of tough use. It even survived getting run over by a very large fullback at a football game. The hood was smashed, but the lens itself was fine.

pitabread · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayHawk

I used to have a 400 2.8 that never once needed service in 6 years of tough use. It even survived getting run over by a very large fullback at a football game. The hood was smashed, but the lens itself was fine.

Wow, that's a pretty ringing endorsement of the toughness of some of those lenses!

Andy_T · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Consumer lenses last until you drop them.
L lenses are more expensive, so you have them repaired in that case

Best regards,
Andy

jjonsalt · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by condyk

I don't think they're typical

Not hardley.

Mark_Cohran · 9th of February 2006 (Thu)

I have EF lenses that are 12 years old and are still working fine, even after extensive use. I have FD lenses (non-autofocus) that are nearly 30 years old and are working fine. Lenses aren't nearly as fragile as many people think. If you're moderately careful - and don't drop your lenses onto hard surfaces from significant heights (more than a couple of feet), your lenses will last at least a decade and probably significantly longer.

Mark

chtgrubbs · 10th of February 2006 (Fri)

I'm still using a Zeiss Protar, circa 1905.

8th of February 2006 (Wed)	#1
pitabread Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Great White North Posts: 834	What's the lifespan of a typical lens? Maybe this is a dumb question, but I've been wondering... what's the average lifespan of a typical camera lens? L versus non-L? Do the motors ever wear out and need replacement? What about IS lenses? Do they need more maintenence in the long run versus non-IS lenses? With the cost of those L lenses, I would hope they'd last for a long long time. But when I'm using my 100-400mm and the IS kicks in, I wonder how long those motors can keep ticking.

8th of February 2006 (Wed)	#2
condyk Africa's #1 Tour Guide Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 20,740	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? Most of my lenses are probably 30 years old but they don't have AF or IS and are beautifully made the old fashioned way, but I don't think they're typical __________________ Now full! Great African Photo Safari 2013 - Kruger National Park, South Africa click

8th of February 2006 (Wed)	#3
DocFrankenstein Cream of the Crop Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: where the buffalo roam Posts: 10,961	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? IS goes out fast. You just need to bump your lens. I've seen 70-200 disassembled and it's all plastic inside. The gears... the elements, electronical connections are not build to last. So if you really use it, then it WILL wear out. I think in the future I'll go the way of condyk and get a few contax/leica/takumar lenses. Those last until they get fungus inside them or blades stick together. __________________ I have typed this from Ubuntu. Vent: One lens, two lenses. Advice=what you seek; advise=what we do. Then="at that time" or "subsequently"; than="compared to". Aperture, not aperature. Their="owned by them"; there="at that place"; they're="they are". Its="owned by it"; it's="it is". Your="owned by you"; you're="you are"; ur="primitive".

8th of February 2006 (Wed)	#4
Tom W Canon Fanosapien Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Posts: 12,743 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? These would be the folks to ask about durability.... They undoubtedly break one every now and then, but they give their lenses pretty rough treatment every Sunday afternoon. My 400 served time in another life working for the San Diego Chargers, and came through relatively unscathed some 7-8 years later. __________________ Tom 5D III, 7D, & various lenses

8th of February 2006 (Wed)	#5
JayHawk Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 157	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? I have a 20-35 2.8L that is about 12 years old, never had to have it serviced....my 70-200 2.8 had to go in recently because the AF motor stopped working properly. I used to have a 400 2.8 that never once needed service in 6 years of tough use. It even survived getting run over by a very large fullback at a football game. The hood was smashed, but the lens itself was fine.

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#7
Andy_T Compensating for his small ... sensor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stuttgart/Cologne, Germany Posts: 9,848 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? Consumer lenses last until you drop them. L lenses are more expensive, so you have them repaired in that case Best regards, Andy __________________ some cameras, some lenses, and still a lot of things to learn... (so post processing examples on my images are welcome ) If you like the forum, vote for it where it really counts! CLICK here for the EOS FAQ CLICK here for the Post Processing FAQ CLICK here to understand a bit more about BOKEH

9th of February 2006 (Thu)	#9
Mark_Cohran Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 15,543	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? I have EF lenses that are 12 years old and are still working fine, even after extensive use. I have FD lenses (non-autofocus) that are nearly 30 years old and are working fine. Lenses aren't nearly as fragile as many people think. If you're moderately careful - and don't drop your lenses onto hard surfaces from significant heights (more than a couple of feet), your lenses will last at least a decade and probably significantly longer. Mark __________________ Mark ----- Some primes, some zooms, some Ls, some bodies and they all play nice together. Thirty-five years of shooting and still learning. My G&N Blog (NSFW)- My Complete Gear List - Mac-Photo Website - *My Tumblr Site* (NSFW) G&N FORUM EARLY ACCESS & IMAGE POSTING RULES

10th of February 2006 (Fri)	#10
chtgrubbs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,668	Re: What's the lifespan of a typical lens? I'm still using a Zeiss Protar, circa 1905.

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