How long can lenses last?

scorpioh · 13th November 2008

(Perhaps I should posted this in general discussion forum but I prefer the responses here.)
Say in terms of number of shots for screw-driven primes? Cos the diaphram stops-down and retracts back very fast every time u snap a picture - I see this as the main source of wear and tear, apart from the focusing ring.

felixcat8888 · 13th November 2008

My Pentax K 85mm F1.8 has lasted 30 over years and still looks clean

le petit prince · 13th November 2008

Not sure about the newer lenses, but the older ones seem to be built to last.

I have a M42 Pentacon 135mm.. the company ceased operations(?) in 1991, so even if mine's the last batch made (unlikely though!), it's already 17 years.. and working perfectly fine.

A test shot with the lens (unprocessed except for resizing):

hamustar · 16th November 2008

Agree, older metal lenses tend to last longer.

The plastic in newer ones (90s onwards) seem to be more brittle over time. I tried to take apart older lenses to clean, everything is metal inside and hardy. However the plasticky ones like those Vivitar 19-35s (even though Series 1)...the parts chip off very easily.

I think to save on weight and perhaps cost, modern lenses are made less hardy.

13th November 2008	#1
scorpioh Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 976	How long can lenses last? (Perhaps I should posted this in general discussion forum but I prefer the responses here.) Say in terms of number of shots for screw-driven primes? Cos the diaphram stops-down and retracts back very fast every time u snap a picture - I see this as the main source of wear and tear, apart from the focusing ring. __________________ Just a Pentaxian with his humble k10d...

13th November 2008	#2
felixcat8888 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Delta Posts: 3,675	Re: How long can lenses last? My Pentax K 85mm F1.8 has lasted 30 over years and still looks clean __________________ Ricoh XR-P,Chinon CP-7m,Pentax Z-1SE/MZ-S/K20D+16-50mm F2.8+FA43mm F1.9 Limited,Metz 58 AF-1P

13th November 2008	#3
le petit prince Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 913	Re: How long can lenses last? Not sure about the newer lenses, but the older ones seem to be built to last. I have a M42 Pentacon 135mm.. the company ceased operations(?) in 1991, so even if mine's the last batch made (unlikely though!), it's already 17 years.. and working perfectly fine. A test shot with the lens (unprocessed except for resizing): __________________ le petit photographe

16th November 2008	#4
hamustar Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SengKang Posts: 592	Re: How long can lenses last? Agree, older metal lenses tend to last longer. The plastic in newer ones (90s onwards) seem to be more brittle over time. I tried to take apart older lenses to clean, everything is metal inside and hardy. However the plasticky ones like those Vivitar 19-35s (even though Series 1)...the parts chip off very easily. I think to save on weight and perhaps cost, modern lenses are made less hardy.