Expected lifespan of a Canon L lens?

I bought a Canon 24-105mm L lens in 2006 and have used it at least 1-2 times per week. Over the past 10 years, it has seen intensive use and has had 1 service.

How much longer can I expect it to last?

collectingrocks wrote in post #19524376
I bought a Canon 24-105mm L lens in 2006 and have used it at least 1-2 times per week. Over the past 10 years, it has seen intensive use and has had 1 service.

How much longer can I expect it to last?

You'll know when it fails. Just like the lottery, it is impossible to predict. Might fail on your next outing or it might last into the next century. I have several lenses from the 1930s (old Leica and Agfa Karat) that still work just fine. My Canon A1 is still working as well and I bought it new a long time ago. Just keep using it and when it fails, make a decision whether to repair or replace and don't worry about it.

Ya, depends on the lens, and not how often per week but how many shots or how many zooms, or how much exposure to the elements. Another factor is seeing what a modern RF 24-105 can do!

Indeed. Gets a lot of "zooms"; exposed to a lot of rain (as it does in the UK...) and a lot of shots.

What's the image quality of an RF lens on an EF mount of a full-frame Canon?

collectingrocks wrote in post #19524393
What's the image quality of an RF lens on an EF mount of a full-frame Canon?

Well, that won't work. You would need an RF-mount body.

Archibald wrote in post #19524398
Well, that won't work. You would need an RF-mount body.

Yes of course, I don't know why I thought that duh..... I'm very much out of the loop having not bought any new equipment for many years....

I have FD 70mm to 210 MM lens that take great photos
The 70x 210mm came out in 1980

I have a ef 50mm f1.8 metal mount bought new with a new EOS 650 way back in the 90's. This is a first gen original EF lens...and it still rocks and works like the day it was built.

My EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS USM died after nine years. Common connection problem with these lenses.
I bought the EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS II USM instead.

apersson850 wrote in post #19543944
My EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS USM died after nine years. Common connection problem with these lenses.
I bought the EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS II USM instead.

My EF 24-105L's image stabilization died after several years. In my case, I ended up buying a EOS R and RF 24-105L as a kit during a really good sale. It kick started my migration to a complete mirrorless kit.

That was the only EF mount lens I ever had an issue with.

My Gen 1 70-200/2.8 IS was still working perfectly when I sold it a month or two ago. And it was well-used when I bought it a dozen years ago.

Many can still be fixed by independent shops like Midwest Camera.

Archibald wrote in post #19524383
Ya, depends on the lens, and not how often per week but how many shots or how many zooms, or how much exposure to the elements. Another factor is seeing what a modern RF 24-105 can do!

That’s funny, and true!

Impossible to know. I have never had a single lens fail. However, my first EF 24-105 L (version 1) did develop annoying zoom creep. I read that this can be tightened up, but I used used a fat rubber band.

My response: "Until it breaks and no one can get parts to fix it"

Wilt wrote in post #19544396
My response: "Until it breaks and no one can get parts to fix it"

I woulkd add to that... "or the cost of repair is greater than buying a used lens." At some point it makes no sense to repair even though it is reparable. For decades I drove cars like that. I bought them for less than $200, fixed what I could without sinking in any money and drive them until they died and sell it to the junk man. Some lasted months, a couple lasted well over a year.