pvdhaar
Peter
Thanks for the tip! My daughter may however still decide that she likes a new camera better than a new battery.. 😉
Longevity of DSLRs?
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Archiver
Veteran
In a previous job, we used Canon 40Ds and ran thousands of exposures through them, rapidly and repeatedly. They would develop the Canon 'lens error 99' within 50-70k actuations, some conking out sooner.
My Leica M9 developed a shutter recock motor fault within eight months of daily usage, around 25k exposures. The recock motor was replaced and it has run perfectly since then, going up to about 45k+.
This year, my Ricoh GXR just refused to power up after around 30k exposures. My GRD III developed a shutter fault at about 38k. I replaced the GXR body and replaced the lens block in the GRD III.
My Canon 30D saw lots of use over a 1.5 year period, probably at least 35k, and never skipped a beat. My 5D Mark II, likewise.
I'm often drawn back to film cameras because I like the idea of a camera replaceable mechanical parts, rather than eventually outmoded circuit boards. I'm growing wary of cameras with motorized extending lens barrels for the same reason.
My Leica M9 developed a shutter recock motor fault within eight months of daily usage, around 25k exposures. The recock motor was replaced and it has run perfectly since then, going up to about 45k+.
This year, my Ricoh GXR just refused to power up after around 30k exposures. My GRD III developed a shutter fault at about 38k. I replaced the GXR body and replaced the lens block in the GRD III.
My Canon 30D saw lots of use over a 1.5 year period, probably at least 35k, and never skipped a beat. My 5D Mark II, likewise.
I'm often drawn back to film cameras because I like the idea of a camera replaceable mechanical parts, rather than eventually outmoded circuit boards. I'm growing wary of cameras with motorized extending lens barrels for the same reason.
Stuart John
Well-known
I bought my D80 in 2007 and it still works as good as it ever did. My D1h was used, I bought it before the D80 maybe in 2006 and it still works. I bought my Olympus C220 in 2003 I think and it still works fine or it did last time I checked a few months ago.
Pioneer
Veteran
Which of their pro models do CaNikon still service?
Ben Z
Veteran
I have 2 Canon 5D MkI's (intro date 2004 I believe) so far working perfectly. One I got as a like-new refurb shortly after the MkII came out, the other one I got last year from KEH in bargain grade. On that one there are scrapes down to bare metal on the bottom corners, and the matte plastic around the shutter release and grip are polished shiny, so I would imagine it's seen a ton of hard use. The IQ is still impressive despite being "ancient tech". High-ISO not comparable to the latest versions but still far cleaner than film at 1200-1600. No live view, no video mode, but I couldn't care less about either one. If and when they die I will replace rather than repair them (even if repairs are still possible) because it wouldn't make economic sense. By then a MkII or a 6D will be well under a grand.
The biggest issue with the old digitals is batteries, some of them are long out of production and the LiION's die eventually whether they're used or not. Thankfully the BP511A was used in many models of Canon for many years, so I guess it's still in enough demand that they're still being made. Plus I have battery grips for both of them that take rechargeable AA's.
The biggest issue with the old digitals is batteries, some of them are long out of production and the LiION's die eventually whether they're used or not. Thankfully the BP511A was used in many models of Canon for many years, so I guess it's still in enough demand that they're still being made. Plus I have battery grips for both of them that take rechargeable AA's.
Contarama
Well-known
I beat up on my old D5K...shoot in the rain with it, in the dust, in the mud. It still hasn't missed a beat and that model is really long in the tooth...
Luddite Frank
Well-known
I can't speak to digital SLRs or Nikon digi-cams, but will offer my observations on using an "antique" digital "brick" - Canon G-1 Powershot, mighty with its 3.1 MP resolution. Power-zoom, auto-focus (but non-interchangeable) lens, full manual functions, if desired. Cost me all of $15 at an antique co-op in 2010.
This little beast ( about the size and heft of an Argus C-3 ), supposedly listed for nearly $1,000 at its introduction.
It records on a Compact Flash card, and uses a replaceable ( but proprietary ) Li Ion battery.
So far, I 've bought one CF card, and three generic replacement batteries (one of which failed in six months, but that's not Canon's fault).
Old-age issues I'm gradually encountering:
1) View-screen: which can fold-out / tilt / swing: getting dodgy - no longer works when folded flat against the camera body, so have to shoot with it flipped-out like a flag, if I want to review as I go.
2) Body screws - seems to be shedding them here and there, now and then.
3) Access doors / micro switches - the micro switches associated with the battery compartment door and the CF card door seem to be getting wonky - sometimes the mere pressure of my grip in the area of a door when shooting one-handed or manipulating the camera is enough to cause an issue, and a gremlin shuts-down the camera.
3) Motorized stuff: when the camera is switched on/off, a motor-drive racks the lens out / in accordingly, plus the focus and zoom functions. This too is becoming dodgy.
The optics though, are quite good, and I have shot thousands of images with this "primitive", 10+ year-old digi-cam.
I will eventually have to replace it for two main reasons:
1) wear & tear
2) No longer meets my photographic needs.
I think the lifespan of such devices is functionally limited by:
1) electronics - a friend who has been a career electrical engineer for a major defence contractor attests to the "Tin-whisker" issue of lead-free solders, though that's not the only issue :/
2) construction details / materials -
3) technological advancements rendering the existing models obsolete / inadequate
4) Repair support.
Just some of my musings... I sort of dread replacing my G-1; yeah, it's a clumsy brick, but I know it well; I dread learning ( and paying for ) a new camera / system... especially one that I might not be able to hand-down to succeeding generations as a functional bit of gear...
Regards,
Luddite Frank
This little beast ( about the size and heft of an Argus C-3 ), supposedly listed for nearly $1,000 at its introduction.
It records on a Compact Flash card, and uses a replaceable ( but proprietary ) Li Ion battery.
So far, I 've bought one CF card, and three generic replacement batteries (one of which failed in six months, but that's not Canon's fault).
Old-age issues I'm gradually encountering:
1) View-screen: which can fold-out / tilt / swing: getting dodgy - no longer works when folded flat against the camera body, so have to shoot with it flipped-out like a flag, if I want to review as I go.
2) Body screws - seems to be shedding them here and there, now and then.
3) Access doors / micro switches - the micro switches associated with the battery compartment door and the CF card door seem to be getting wonky - sometimes the mere pressure of my grip in the area of a door when shooting one-handed or manipulating the camera is enough to cause an issue, and a gremlin shuts-down the camera.
3) Motorized stuff: when the camera is switched on/off, a motor-drive racks the lens out / in accordingly, plus the focus and zoom functions. This too is becoming dodgy.
The optics though, are quite good, and I have shot thousands of images with this "primitive", 10+ year-old digi-cam.
I will eventually have to replace it for two main reasons:
1) wear & tear
2) No longer meets my photographic needs.
I think the lifespan of such devices is functionally limited by:
1) electronics - a friend who has been a career electrical engineer for a major defence contractor attests to the "Tin-whisker" issue of lead-free solders, though that's not the only issue :/
2) construction details / materials -
3) technological advancements rendering the existing models obsolete / inadequate
4) Repair support.
Just some of my musings... I sort of dread replacing my G-1; yeah, it's a clumsy brick, but I know it well; I dread learning ( and paying for ) a new camera / system... especially one that I might not be able to hand-down to succeeding generations as a functional bit of gear...
Regards,
Luddite Frank
kxl
Social Documentary
Your D7000's is tested for 150,000 cycles -- not meant to be a baseline but rather a very general ballpark.
My first DSLR, a D70, lasted 2 years before shutter failure. Nikon replaced the entire shutter assembly for free. I eventually gave it to a friend, who is still using it to this day. I also had a D200 that I gave to another friend, and it continues to function flawlessly to this day with his entire collection of AI(s) lenses.
My first DSLR, a D70, lasted 2 years before shutter failure. Nikon replaced the entire shutter assembly for free. I eventually gave it to a friend, who is still using it to this day. I also had a D200 that I gave to another friend, and it continues to function flawlessly to this day with his entire collection of AI(s) lenses.
emraphoto
Veteran
i have a d200 that is now 8 years old. the only digital camera i haven't sold right after it's intended role has been fulfilled. i was using it yesterday. it has been to Iraq, Syria, The DRC, Chad, Nigeria, Kosovo, Niger... the list is long.
Skiff
Well-known
Hi Stephen,
two factors should be considered:
1. Digital sensors do show aging / detorioation effects over the years. Their performance decreases over their lifespan.
That is not a secret and also officially confirmed by sensor and digital camera manufacturers.
Have a look here:
http://www.harvestimaging.com/pubdocs/090_2005_dec_IEDM_terrestrial_cosmic_rays.pdf
Dead pixels:
[FONT="]http://www.olympusamerica.com/crm/oneoffpages/ask_oly/crm_e_ask_oly_03_09.asp
[/FONT]2. Digital products in todays economy are not designed to last 20, 30 or more years (like film cameras).
The business strategy is to sell the customers new digital products after only 3,4, 5 years of use[FONT="].
[/FONT]I've had two DSLRs that broke after 4 and 5 five years of use.
Film cameras definitely last longer. And with film you always have a perfect new, fresh sensor.
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