Canon 1D Mk IV end of service life

I just received my trusty 1D Mk IV back from CPS for a routine clean and check and saw something very scary. On the service notes paper they sent back was a message indicating that the 1D Mk IV is at the end its service life and Canon would not have the parts to perform a repair should it needs parts. I'm glad I had the shutter replaced a couple of years back when I had CPS Platinum so I only have about 69K clicks on it. I had though that maybe I could use an independent repair shop, but they would likely run into the same parts availability issue there as well. I figured the end of service life was coming, but I never really did look up the exact date, so it was a surprise to me. So I guess when it finally dies I may have to spring for a 1DX or 1DX II....there are worse things!

"The last of the V8 interceptors"

The last of the great APS-H cameras...

Sad to hear.
I bought my 1D4 new in 2013. I knew Canon was ending production of this camera, so I monitored prices weekly in the silly belief that the price would drop (yeah, right). But I waited too long and could not find a retailer who had one in stock. I scoured the net and finally found one at Newegg. Paid full price $5,000. Later, I bought a second one from a member here. I sure like this camera.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18814559
The last of the great APS-H cameras...

Hmmm...how about a EOS R camera with a new APS-H sensor? ߘ

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18814559
The last of the great APS-H cameras...

yup I really loved the image quality of this camera. Coupled with a 200mm 2.8, it was my workhorse back around 2010-2012. If only that damn shutter wasn't so loud

I love the 1.3 crop factor for the extra reach and haven't really considered the EOS R camera yet. The big question in my mind is the EOS R robust enough to stand up to the rigors of aerial photography? I love my 1D4 because I know it can take a beating...many years ago when I was shooting at the Indiana State High School Girls' swimming finals in Indianapolis I dropped my 1D4 in a parking garage and knocked a hole in the top corner of the body. The camera still worked just fine and I was able to get photos for the paper without any issue (yes, I also had a backup camera just in case.). These days I use my 1D4 along with the 100-400 II and the 70-200 f/2.8 II for aerial photography while flying my powered parachute, which can be an unforgiving environment at times. If I end up going to a 1DX some day and lose the crop factor, I guess I'll just have to fly a little lower when I can, but that is not practical or legal in many situations. You can see my aerial photography escapades on my YouTube channel and my photos on my web site.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #18814872
Hmmm...how about a EOS R camera with a new APS-H sensor? ߘ

I think that would be a good seller, but it would still have to be a pro-level camera though, otherwise not much value.

Keep in mind the EOS R already has a mini 1D4 in it, with better ISO and cropping a 1.3 out of that sensor actually yields a slightly higher resolution APS-H view. So we would want that lightning fast AF and other 1D-like functions, like save settings to files on the card (or several custom slots), etc.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18815692
Keep in mind the EOS R already has a mini 1D4 in it, with better ISO and cropping a 1.3 out of that sensor actually yields a slightly higher resolution APS-H view. So we would want that lightning fast AF and other 1D-like functions, like save settings to files on the card (or several custom slots), etc.

Good to know. I have not done much reading about the R camera yet. I would love to see a sports model. I photograph aircraft in flight (just a hobby), and mostly
at slow shutter speeds to capture propeller blur (makes an attractive image). Without a mirror, there will be no mirror slap, and less vibration from it.
Maybe, and that's a big maybe, no mirror slap will result in sharper images when shooting at slow speeds. Guess time will tell.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #18815718
Good to know. I have not done much reading about the R camera yet. I would love to see a sports model. I photograph aircraft in flight (just a hobby), and mostly
at slow shutter speeds to capture propeller blur (makes an attractive image). Without a mirror, there will be no mirror slap, and less vibration from it.
Maybe, and that's a big maybe, no mirror slap will result in sharper images when shooting at slow speeds. Guess time will tell.

I believe the EOS R focus system is up to the task for that. There has been limited success in sports with it as well, but not ready to be some main camera for such action. I know many have performed wildlife/birding shots with the R.

I Miss the 1.3 format sensors. I was really pissed at canon when they discontinued that sensor. I sold off the DMKIV for 2 5D3's because the 5D3s had my dual card requirements and it was where i learned that the AF system were not created equal. MKIV was a great camera

I miss the 1.3x for a number of reasons.
Add to those mentioned, the fact that a 1D series, MkII/III/IV used to cost $4,500.00 new on the day they were launched, vs. $8k for a 1Ds.

I bought mine in 2011 as a Canon refurb for $4000. I put about 267k clicks on the shutter while shooting for our local paper and put that camera through call kinds of hell shooting high school sports, auto racing, etc etc and it never let me down. After I got done shooting for the paper I sent it to CPS and had them put a new shutter in it, so it was then like new again. It should last me quite a while (knock on wood).

kb9tdj wrote in post #18814470
I just received my trusty 1D Mk IV back from CPS for a routine clean and check and saw something very scary. On the service notes paper they sent back was a message indicating that the 1D Mk IV is at the end its service life and Canon would not have the parts to perform a repair should it needs parts. I'm glad I had the shutter replaced a couple of years back when I had CPS Platinum so I only have about 69K clicks on it. I had though that maybe I could use an independent repair shop, but they would likely run into the same parts availability issue there as well. I figured the end of service life was coming, but I never really did look up the exact date, so it was a surprise to me. So I guess when it finally dies I may have to spring for a 1DX or 1DX II....there are worse things!

Canon has its end of service life due to the fact that new spares are no longer available. Repair services might simply have a source of known-good used parts. My 5D failed well after the declared end of Canon service, but I nonetheless was able to (easily) find a repair shop which could replace the failed main circuit of my 5D.

I still use mine continuously and favoured it more so than a 7d2 which I sold. It has 211,000 shutter actuations and I dread the day it packs up. I know how to get the best out of it and it never lets me down.