EF lens longevity?

inernets wrote in post #15283602
Remember December 21st, 2012 is right around the corner

I thought the world was going to end LAST year? Looks like we're already into extra time.

LostArk wrote in post #15280885
Lets say that I wanted to create a camera kit for doomsday survival. The electronic components of an EF lens could, in theory, be fried by the EMP from a nuclear detonation. The preceding rationale is equal parts jest and sincerity.

If an EMP attack occurs, then all the computers, memory cards, storage, networks, printers, etc.. are also fried, so what the heck would you do with a lens on a digital camera anyways? Most film processing labs are digital now too. Sounds like your only real hope would be to build your own wet dark room, and have a full manual camera (no electronics), and plenty of film.

inernets wrote in post #15283602
There could be an EMP attack or possibly extreme solar flares that could destroy a lot of electronic equipment.

If it fries the electronics in the lens its going to fry the electronics in the body, one's not much use without the other.

convergent wrote in post #15284464
If an EMP attack occurs, then all the computers, memory cards, storage, networks, printers, etc.. are also fried, so what the heck would you do with a lens on a digital camera anyways? Most film processing labs are digital now too. Sounds like your only real hope would be to build your own wet dark room, and have a full manual camera (no electronics), and plenty of film.

Let's get serious. If an EMP attack occurs, the last concern anyone is going to have is taking pictures.

LostArk wrote in post #15280826
For this reason, and compatibility concerns, I wonder if it might be best to buy manual focus lenses in Nikon mount?

Then you'd be buying lenses that are already 30 years old, so is that better?

gjl711 wrote in post #15284793
Let's get serious. If an EMP attack occurs, the last concern anyone is going to have is taking pictures.

Ah, I watched Doomsday Preppers a few weeks back.. Simple- build a faraday cage and place your electronics in it.. Too simple... Of course, food, medical supplies, shelter, basic survival needs, looters, thieves, zombies, and some other things might be higher on my list than taking pics.. Truthfully, in an EMP attack- I'd be more concerned about the source of the EMP- and how close it is.. And whether or not I am stocked up on ammo...

EMP attacks are usually caused by nuclear attacks. So.....

tkbslc wrote in post #15285376
EMP attacks are usually caused by nuclear attacks. So.....

Actually, a space based nuke can do quite a EMP number on the country without risk of radiation and the damage the blast creates. We would still be tossed into the stone age though.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15280835
If you think that mechanical linkages are more reliable than electronic circuits then I have some bad news for you. They are not. As an engineer I can tell you that I would place my faith in an electronic circuit over a mechanical linkage every time.

You'll always get the tiniest amount of play with mechanical linkages,, just the tiniest. With aperture linkages the play is so minute you'll never notice any differences in exposure.

I still have quite a few manual focus Nikkors, one going back to 1969, the rest bought in the 1970s-1980s and they are as sold as a rock. They are built to very fine tolerances. These lenses are all metal and glass. Also, pre auto focus Nikkor aperture click stops engage in a very solid fashion. Most of my Nikkors have had a lot of use over the years and work as well as the day I bought them.

gjl711 wrote in post #15285391
Actually, a space based nuke can do quite a EMP number on the country without risk of radiation and the damage the blast creates. We would still be tossed into the stone age though.

Why do people always assume we will go all the way back to the stone age due to a few EMPs going off?

Books still work, their paper pages and the ink on them doesn't stop reflecting the light we need to read them after an EMP goes off. Steam power still works wonderfully. And stuff we have these days are easy enough to rebuild. Might be a few years before everything gets replaced, but assuming people are smart enough to go completely crazy when they can't check their email for a few days, then things will get back to normal quickly enough.

It would be worse than the stone age. IN the Stone age, the world was mostly wild and there was wild food readily available. Now, anyone in a city would have to resort to cannibalism within 2 weeks. We have no way to get food once the processing plants and distribution into cities shut down.

It is only a sample size of one, but my EF 200/2.8L went out this past week, and Canon says they no longer service this lens. Reportedly it is the same optically as version ii, and it is a very sharp lens. Date code says mfg. in 1991. What went out was the mechanical linkage between the focus ring and the internal focus mechanism. It still autofocuses perfectly. I don't know if that means much though in terms of post nuclear fantasy. Me- I'm gonna climb the hill near downtown and hope for a front row seat to the big show. I'd just as soon miss the after party. I'll probably leave my camera home.

Huh

inernets wrote in post #15283602
Remember December 21st, 2012 is right around the corner

Until they discovered another Mayan calender that continues on past that date...

Like the Bizarro says...

inernets wrote in post #15283602
I understand what the OP is saying. There could be an EMP attack or possibly extreme solar flares that could destroy a lot of electronic equipment. This is an interesting topic to me and a friend who love to plan for the worst.

Remember December 21st, 2012 is right around the corner

So he/she better use a manual film camera and develop and print themselves then, as a computer won't help in those situations either