What's the expected life time of a pro EOS body?

[Antono Refa]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

 

[danski0224]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

Stashes of "spare parts"? Some call that inventory, and inventory costs money to maintain. Would NOS electronic parts function normally 10 years from date of manufacture after sitting on a shelf?

A "pro" Canon body is typically defined by the 1 Series moniker. Therefore, a 5DII is not a pro body. Spare parts exist in the form of working cameras for sale. At some point, it will be cheaper to buy another one in good condition than to fix the one you have. The 5DII exists in massive numbers (especially compared to the 1DsIII or even 1DX)- plenty of parts cameras out there.

Aftermarket batteries are available for the Canon 1D, introduced in 2002 and the first pro digital Canon body as it exists today. There may be a couple hundred of that camera available worldwide today, maybe thousands if you include the later variants that use that battery pack. There must be hundreds of thousands of 5DII cameras, and millions of cameras that use the LP-E6 battery. I would not be concerned about battery availability at all.

While the Canon 1D can take excellent images, outside of a niche or two like B&W photography and a 1/16000 shutter (that is no longer available), basic camera abilities are far eclipsed by current production models. The 5DII will be equally antiquated within a few years, even if it still works fine (and is also no longer serviceable at Canon).

 

[ksgal]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

Like always, it depends.

For the 5DII, batteries will be a non issue for a while, the new 7DII uses the same style battery, so they will be around for at least another 10 years. There are those other than Canon that keep parts or rob parts, so again, I see for at least the next 10 years before a 5DII would become a 'brick'.

 

[eli452]

I think the need for an upgrade (GAS or real) will take charge long before the actual maintainability problem occurs.

 

[Maiaibing]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

I'd say you can safely count on at least 10 years life span - even with heavy use. Of course your camera may fail the first day (happened to me once in the film days!). But on average modern cameras seem very - even extremely - reliable.

I used my 5DII's for 7 years and I'm sure they could have gone much longer. The key issue is the shutter count. You can see the fail rates on the net at http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/. A 5DII with 150.000 shots has an overwhelming chance of doing an additional 100.000. Pretty amazing actually. Film cameras could not go even remotely as far.

Batteries are no problem because even the newest Canon models use the same battery as the 5DII.

 

[Pookie]

In the industry, cameras are considered consumables... bodies come and go, lenses although they last much longer only last so long too. If you're worried about buying an older body and how long that investment can last I can understand the question but it's kind of like asking how long you'll live. Who really knows. Some people/cameras live a hard life and burnout young, others live well past the "expiration" date. Some look great but die early, some look beat to hell and last forever... average life spans mean nothing to anyone except statisticians. If you're worried about when your camera could possibly die, I'd suggest that as the time to look for another or a backup. As mentioned above, usually by the time this occurs, you'll find the price point to be a non-issue and the repair cost more than the value of the camera (minus the exceptions of say first ever Leica or some form of personal sentimental value).

 

[rfdesigner]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

If your question is really "If I look after my gear, how long will canon supply parts to keep it going".. then I would look at the original 5D... they dropped support at 10 years.

Now I don't know if that means they won't sell spares no matter what, of if they simply won't guarentee to sell you spares, but if they have one on the shelf then you can buy it.

Perhaps an owner of the original 5D can answer that?

 

[Sporgon]

Canon can still repair the original 20-35 L from 1989, and that ceased production in 1995. For reference they use a 'traffic light' system; green means it currently available, amber means there's a wait, and red means it is unavailable. Most of the 20-35L bits seem to be amber.

The 'support finishing on the 5D after 10 years' actually referred to the free mirror fix; after the 10 year deadline you have to pay for the modification.

As others have pointed out most of the parts and consumables for these Canon cameras are so ubiquitous they are likely to be around for most people's life time, and probably beyond that. On the other hand an obscure camera using an obscure battery will probably be a different story.

 

[Antono Refa]

I think the need for an upgrade (GAS or real) will take charge long before the actual maintainability problem occurs.

I'm sure Canon appreciates the sentiment.

 

[Viggo]

5d2 is not a pro body, so expect it to last very long. I have a 1dx and I'm about to throw it through a window, but expect it won't even be able to do that properly.

3 years is what you can expect, or around a 150.000 actuations. LOADS of pro bodies I see with replaced shutter for example at 150-180k mark.

And before that, expect all kinds of issues. I'm so done it's not even funny with the useless durability of high end very expensive photogear.

 

[rfdesigner]

The 'support finishing on the 5D after 10 years' actually referred to the free mirror fix; after the 10 year deadline you have to pay for the modification.

thanks for pointing that out.. I'll update the memory banks.

 

[Sporgon]

The 'support finishing on the 5D after 10 years' actually referred to the free mirror fix; after the 10 year deadline you have to pay for the modification.

thanks for pointing that out.. I'll update the memory banks.

Worth remembering if you're in the market for a used 5D I find it interesting that the used prices of a late production 5D have firmed - if anything they are a tad more than say nine months ago. At the same time the 5DII has continued to fall. (At least in the UK). I wonder if in a few years time the used value of a LP 5D will be the same as the 5DII ?

I've been putting some if my old 5D 100 ISO files through the latest RAW converters and all I have to say is ( ignoring the dust) WOW ! And where exactly has the development been ?

 

[RGF]

as previously commented on, the camera is unlikely to wear out long after it usefulness ends.

Either GAS or desire (real or emotional) for higher resolution camera, better noise reduction, and in the case of some very early dSLR ability to use larger sized cards.

So unless you are very heavily using a camera or abusing it, it should last with proper maintain longer than you want to own it

 

[surapon]

For example, if one decides to stick with a 5Dmk2, how long would it be before the camera would be the equivalent of a brick?

As long as the camera is manufactured, one could have it fixed. But how long would spare parts stock last?

Worse, if the camera never breaks, how long would batteries (OEM or 3rd party) be available? Once those aren't manufactured anymore, one's stock of batteries would no longer take charge, and even a camera in perfect working order would become inert.

Dear friend Mr. Antono.
I am Canon Lover since 1975---My first Canon SLR = Canon FT-QL---And After that I have 6 more Canon SLR, Until The Digital age, My first DSLR = Canon 20 D.---Canon 1DS MK I--------and 5 more Canon DSLR, until The Last one = Canon EOS 5D SR= 50.6 MP.
Yes, When I send my damaged Flash 580 EX. MK I to CPS. ( Canon Professional Services )---They send this Babe back to me with out repair--And Tell Me that " Canon do not stock and do not repair If any canon Older than 2 Marks in same model. Yes, I still have and use 5D MK II, because of still have spare part until Canon 5D MK IV come in the market---That the Repair dept. in CPS tell me.
Please enjoy the equipment that you have, They will fit in your need in some Cataglory/ Situation that you want to do your best at their ability. Yes my 2002 Canon 1DS still do a great Job in day light , Sun rise and Sun set time---BUT can not do great in the Dark , with out TRIPODS( But after 350,000+ Photos, I send to CPS to repair the Damage Shutter system = $ 450 US Dollars in 2008---And Shoot like new-- up to date ) ---Ha, Ha, Ha.
Have a great night, Sir.
Surapon

 

[Viggo]

So unless you are very heavily using a camera or abusing it, it should last with proper maintain longer than you want to own it

I really wish this was true, but there is no way to know when it starts to fail in one way or the other... One wouldI expect a very expensive quality product to last a very long time, but sadly that is not the case..

 

[kaihp]

5d2 is not a pro body, so expect it to last very long. I have a 1dx and I'm about to throw it through a window, but expect it won't even be able to do that properly.

I'm really sorry to hear about your 1Dx problems - that's definitely not what you're expecting when buying the non plus ultra EOS body of Canon :-[

As for 5D2 not being a "pro body", that seems to come down to the definition of "pro body" - and who is defining it.
Here slightly south of you, Canon Denmark puts the 5D's in the pro category (note that 7D Mk2 isn't there). On Canon USA's old website, the 5D Mk3 wasn't included in the pro lineup (the new website doesn't distinguish between entry/enthusiast/pro anymore).

 

[rfdesigner]

5d2 is not a pro body, so expect it to last very long. I have a 1dx and I'm about to throw it through a window, but expect it won't even be able to do that properly.

I'm really sorry to hear about your 1Dx problems - that's definitely not what you're expecting when buying the non plus ultra EOS body of Canon :-[

As for 5D2 not being a "pro body", that seems to come down to the definition of "pro body" - and who is defining it.
Here slightly south of you, Canon Denmark puts the 5D's in the pro category (note that 7D Mk2 isn't there). On Canon USA's old website, the 5D Mk3 wasn't included in the pro lineup (the new website doesn't distinguish between entry/enthusiast/pro anymore).

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/cameras/digital_slr/professional/

5DIII is in the UKs Pro section

 

[Sporgon]

As for 5D2 not being a "pro body", that seems to come down to the definition of "pro body" - and who is defining it.
Here slightly south of you, Canon Denmark puts the 5D's in the pro category (note that 7D Mk2 isn't there). On Canon USA's old website, the 5D Mk3 wasn't included in the pro lineup (the new website doesn't distinguish between entry/enthusiast/pro anymore).

Yes, exactly. Anyone who has handled both a 1 series and a 5DII will know they are worlds apart, though both can be used professionally of course.

My own opinion is that Canon did raise the build and durability status of the 5DIII, bringing it closer to that of the 1 series.