Myth or fact: Switch off IS to extend lens lifespan?

This totally random thought came to mind when I was out taking photos tonight. I'm thinking of buying my first ever Canon lens with IS in the near future (70-200 IS II). Is there a difference in odds of failure between an IS and non IS lens, seeing image stabilization requires constantly moving parts? Does switching IS off in situations where shutter speed is high enough 'preserve' the lens better and increase its overall lifespan?

Not using the lens at all increases its life span even more! Don't consider all this, have fun with the lens

Good idea, I've always loved my gear. Clocked in over 200k clicks on my previous camera, currently on 20k on my 7D. I was just curious because I've had (non IS) lenses from the early EOS film days (early 1990s) still work for me

EOS Man wrote in post #15119258
Good idea, I've always loved my gear. Clocked in over 200k clicks on my previous camera, currently on 20k on my 7D. I was just curious because I've had (non IS) lenses from the early EOS film days (early 1990s) still work for me

If you're worried about IS shortening lifespan, you should probably switch off the autofocus and focus manually, since MF lenses from 100 years ago still work fine today

EOS Man wrote in post #15119107
This totally random thought came to mind when I was out taking photos tonight. I'm thinking of buying my first ever Canon lens with IS in the near future (70-200 IS II). Is there a difference in odds of failure between an IS and non IS lens, seeing image stabilization requires constantly moving parts? Does switching IS off in situations where shutter speed is high enough 'preserve' the lens better and increase its overall lifespan?

Totally silly. You don't need to worry about this at all...

Bryan

I am one of those that will buy extra warranty, when I find a part of tool I buy, has a motor to move something or otherwise moving part. Now all those tiny movements needed for lens to create IS, I was very pessimistic toward it right from beginning. To be honest to, till that date, I haven't had an IS lens that its IS fails. If anything goes wrong, it it the AFing that I had few problems so far, everything else seems durable.

switching IS on and off is like using your seatbelts only when you think you will need them. plus aren't you worried about wearing out the switch ?

ed rader wrote in post #15119521
switching IS on and off is like using your seatbelts only when you think you will need them. plus aren't you worried about wearing out the switch ?

......

IS is only working while you press the focus button or the shutter release. If you simply do not do a lot of 'dry focus' (which also consumes the camera battery!) without taking any photo, you will reduce the amount of time that the IS motors are active...no activity, no time accumulated against the MTBF statistics for the IS motors. And by not pressing shutter or focus button, you save in the wear and tear of the camera, too!
But given the very small amount of the lens' life which would have IS motors activated, the savings of the above technique wouldn't really statistically amount to much change of total life. Stop worrying about it.

I think it also depends a bit on the lens. I'm under the impression that the L telephoto lenses have a more durable IS system than the 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

I worry more about wearing out the lens contact points and mount from frequent mounting / unmounting.

On the next episode of Mythbusters.....

It is true. If you use IS a lot your lens will fail on the morning of February the 23rd 2034. If you never use IS then it will last until the afternoon.

EOS Man wrote in post #15119107
...... Does switching IS off in situations where shutter speed is high enough 'preserve' the lens better and increase its overall lifespan?

If this cautious approach is all encompassing, then I don't envy you your sex life.

Bob

Its not really a myth, is it? If you use IS less, then the motor will experience less wear, and thus will last longer. The real question is whether this difference is big enough to actually matter to you.

hollis_f wrote in post #15124022
It is true. If you use IS a lot your lens will fail on the morning of February the 23rd 2034. If you never use IS then it will last until the afternoon.

But the world ends 12/21/12, so I'm using my IS every chance I get.

And throwing away my condoms as well.