How long does an IS system last?

I have several lenses with IS. What is the lifespan of the IS system? Will the IS system in my L glass last longer than the IS system in my non-L lens?

Canon tells us how long the shutters last, but what about IS?

Gee, I guess I could ask the same about the focus motors or aperture control systems but that's getting a bit OT.

Some have reported broken IS on the EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM. Personally, I don't know. I've only had IS for 18 months.

how would you be able to tell if your IS broke?

joebenz wrote in post #6759050
how would you be able to tell if your IS broke?

your pictures will look like crap .

ed rader

joebenz wrote in post #6759050
how would you be able to tell if your IS broke?

Well, when you turn on IS, you can see it working & usually hear it working. If it isn't working, you'll know.

Or, with a slightly different rendering of the question - you can tell if you is broke by the number of L lenses in your bag.

n1as wrote in post #6757473
I have several lenses with IS. What is the lifespan of the IS system? Will the IS system in my L glass last longer than the IS system in my non-L lens?

Canon tells us how long the shutters last, but what about IS?

Gee, I guess I could ask the same about the focus motors or aperture control systems but that's getting a bit OT.

The EF-S 17-55 has a rate of reported IS failure here at POTN that is high enough to suggest a mild epidemic. Heavy users often see them fail around 1 year.

I've not seen much chatter on IS failures on other lenses, even the really cheap EF-S lenses (but they are fairly recent lenses too).

The IS unit makes a racket and the image dances around in the viewfinder.

I was wondering this as well, does anyone have any more information on the topic? Thanks.

I'm curious also.

joebenz wrote in post #6759050
how would you be able to tell if your IS broke?

If you cannot tell a broken IS from a working one you do not need it

vadim_c wrote in post #8116690
If you cannot tell a broken IS from a working one you do not need it

Haha, very true!

You can definitely tell when IS is working. Turn it on and make very slight movements. The image will lag around in the viewfinder ever so slightly. Plus it whirs!