Non-use leads to failure?

What is your opinion about lack of equipment use leading to failure?

I have a 17-85mm EF-S that lost it’s Auto Focus after a number if years of non-use, and I recently picked up my 20D and noticed that it has failed completely. Checked the operating battery and replaced the internal battery with no results. Totally dead.

It’s not really much of a big deal because I obviously don’t use these, but I’m curious about others experience in this regard.

Thanks.

Don't know, might be true of some digital stuff, but my Hasselblad 500 C/M and Pentax Spotmatic F still worked fine last time I checked.

I have an electronic Manhole "Game and Watch" from the 1980s, and it still works too.

Currently listening to 35-year-old cassette audio tapes and they sound like new.

Old computer gear does tend to deteriorate, though, in my experience. I suspect dirt and issues with the contacts.

My Canon 5Dc gets very infrequent use. I pulled it out a couple months ago, took two shots and set the camera down. A minute or two later I picked it up to take two more shots, and it was dead!

Wilt wrote in post #18198366
My Canon 5Dc gets very infrequent use. I pulled it out a couple months ago, took two shots and set the camera down. A minute or two later I picked it up to take two more shots, and it was dead!

Ouch!
Sounds like another possible victim of this virus.

Archibald wrote in post #18198362
Don't know, might be true of some digital stuff, but my Hasselblad 500 C/M and Pentax Spotmatic F still worked fine last time I checked.

I have an electronic Manhole "Game and Watch" from the 1980s, and it still works too.

Currently listening to 35-year-old cassette audio tapes and they sound like new.

Old computer gear does tend to deteriorate, though, in my experience. I suspect dirt and issues with the contacts.

I remember in the film days that it was recommended that we exercise the shutter frequently to maintain calibration.

This is not a new problem. The Egyptians didn't use the Sphinx for 4,000 years. His nose fell off. The phrase, "Use it, or lose it" has to have some root in reality.

Bassat wrote in post #18198394
This is not a new problem. The Egyptians didn't use the Sphinx for 4,000 years. His nose fell off. The phrase, "Use it, or lose it" has to have some root in reality.

I have heard that lack of use has caused "root" problems.

Pinto wrote in post #18198399
I have heard that lack of use has caused "root" problems.

Sorry, can't touch that in family friendly forum.

So by "lack of use" you mean Napoleon broke it?

Pinto wrote in post #18198388
I remember in the film days that it was recommended that we exercise the shutter frequently to maintain calibration.

True, and I believe it. But the shutter of my Kodak Retina (from the late 1940s) still works pretty good. OK, 1 sec sounds the same as 1/2 sec, but that's not bad for a 70-year-old camera that has not been used for decades.

I have a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash that still works. That's a butt-simple design, though.

I haven't owned anything long enough for it to go bad from lack of use.

Update: I've had a 50mm compact macro for years and maybe use it once a year.
I have flashes that I remove the batteries from so they won't leak.

Bassat wrote in post #18198394
This is not a new problem. The Egyptians didn't use the Sphinx for 4,000 years. His nose fell off. The phrase, "Use it, or lose it" has to have some root in reality.

If I remember right, it was destroyed by a a Sufi Muslim in the 1,300s.

the 17-85mm is known to have pretty poor quality, and tends to break down quite often it seems...as far as the 20D, i'd check batteries and everything...i could see batteries just not holding their charge, dying out more so than the camera

Lubricants can settle in the bottom of a device; building up excessive volume on the mechanism, causing it to stick. They may have chemical components within them separate and then dissolve plastics. A spring that is under tension for an extended amount of time, will eventually stretch and loose proper function. Contacts will oxidize (ala EOS 40D Shutter Contacts). Tire rubber will rot from sitting still. The lack of movement causes certain chemicals to not remain mixed or active in the rubber and to dry out. Metals can weld them selves together. Yeah, lack of use causes problems. Mostly, remembering which doohickey button does what.