IS Lens Life Expectency?

I'm thinking of picking up a 70-200 F4 L, either a brand new non-IS, or a 2nd hand IS version. I'd rather the latter, as it's a better all round lens, but should I be concerned about picking up an older (4 years+) model that's outside of warranty?

Obviously there's more "moving parts" in the IS version, but are they the kind of things that run and run, or should I be keeping an eye out for a newer one?

Any horror stories or "I've had mine since release and going strong" would be great

I would think how much use and abuse the lens has been through would weigh more on it's longevity then it's actual age.

Beepcake wrote in post #13789357
I'm thinking of picking up a 70-200 F4 L, either a brand new non-IS, or a 2nd hand IS version. I'd rather the latter, as it's a better all round lens, but should I be concerned about picking up an older (4 years+) model that's outside of warranty?

Obviously there's more "moving parts" in the IS version, but are they the kind of things that run and run, or should I be keeping an eye out for a newer one?

Any horror stories or "I've had mine since release and going strong" would be great

i just sold an f4 IS that had a UU date code. i bought it when the lens first came out and like i said in the sales ad i shot everything from grizzly bears to bike races with that lens, which was extremely sharp and always worked perfectly.

but also note that i have another copy which is five years newer (UY).

ed rader

[QUOTE=ptstone;1378941​2]I would think how much use and abuse the lens has been through would weigh more on it's longevity then it's actual age.[/quote]

true but older lenses have usually been used more. an exception might be a lens that was owned by a rental company, which i would never buy unless the discount were much deeper than i see them sold for.

i wouldn't buy a car from hertz either .

ed rader

it depends on the specific lens, i'd have no reservations about buying a used IS lens if it'd been taken care and didn't look beat up. Just use common sense and you'll be ok.

Ten years shooting with my 70-200/2.8 IS... And it hasn't been babied... Probably average around 50,000 shots a year, this lens doesn't do them all of course, but it is one of my most used.... It still works just fine.

Get it. Used it. Stop worrying.