How long can a lens last?

[Marcus7]

Hi all,I would like to find out from the seniors & members of CS,what is your take on 2nd hand lens which is like 2 years old or even more.Are they still usable or do you need to bring them for calibration first.Also by then,the warranty would have ended so there should be some kind of charges.The reason i ask is due to i am thinking of buying a 2nd hand lens.So some ppls lens is like 2 years or more but condition still mint or a 10.& i am quite confused on this part.What i am more concerned is when is the time you think you need a calibration done? & is there a so call "lifespan" for any kinds of lenses or usually,how many years do you guys think that a particular lens can remain in its optimum state...?Is there a time frame or guidelines whereby the lens is deemed useless or so?Pls kindly enlighten.Thank You!

 

[cichlid]

If the lens needed calibration, would you want to buy it in the first place?

 

[Marcus7]

Sori cichlid,wat i meant is if a seller wants to sell his 2 or so years of lens but condition is a mint or 10,would you purchase from the person?My concern is mainly the age of the lens...tat is why i would like to find out usually how long can a lens last?Thanks veri much!

 

[Baracus]

The mechanical parts can last for decades.
The electronic parts, anywhere from a few days to tens of years (depending on luck)

 

[canon550d]

Sori cichlid,wat i meant is if a seller wants to sell his 2 or so years of lens but condition is a mint or 10,would you purchase from the person?My concern is mainly the age of the lens...tat is why i would like to find out usually how long can a lens last?Thanks veri much!

Personally, I have bought 2 lens through BnS and I find both lens working just fine for me. So, instead of paying retail price for a brand new set, I spend lesser on a 2nd hand set. Maybe I was lucky to get honest seller.
It's your decision actually. Just like buying a car. I consider a 2yr old car still very new. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Wzierbovsky]

The oldest lens I've got was a 24 year old Nikon 70-210mm lens that I sold second hand last year. Mechanically it was working fine, as also was AF. Optically still great too as I remember at the point of sale.

 

[kei1309]

it can last as long as you

1) ensure that the lens gets at least 6 hours of sleep a night
2) monthly check-ups at the clinic
3) fed twice a day with protein supplements
4) bathed and cleaned in saline solution once a week
5) cuddled and coo-ed at at least once a day

 

[GabrielCaban]

Is the Kodak z990 a good camera for beginners?

 

[Octarine]

Is the Kodak z990 a good camera for beginners?

Please have the decency to open your own thread instead of crashing into other topics. Thanks.

 

[Octarine]

TS: There is no life span and there is no need to run for calibration after some time. Calibration might be necessary immediately when you got the lens or it might never be necessary. Please read up what calibration really means before you jump into myths and gear head stories and finally waste money for nothing.
You might be lucky and your 2nd hand lens works for years without issue (as my Sigma 10-22, bought 2nd hand 5 years ago) or you might be unlucky and 3 days after purchase the AF system or aperture unit breaks down. Nobody can predict. If you can't stand this idea please get a new set with warranty.

 

[GabrielCaban]

Please have the decency to open your own thread instead of crashing into other topics. Thanks.

I am sorry.

 

[eawtan]

I am still using lens that was made in the 1970s and 1960s

 

[Sam-Gor]

No head no tail also dont know what lens you are talking about, surely you know some lens have better bulit quality than others...

rule number 1 of buying 2nd hand stuff:
Always prepared that the 2nd hand lens you buy may not work the next day no matter how mint is the len.
Basically, I have no problem on my 2nd hand lens, but then we are only speaking based on our opinion, buying 2nd hand stuff depend on your heng suay. If you cant accept, better pay more to get a brand new copy.

 

[donut88]

Lenses can last longer 30-40 years.... Simple example, look at minolta lenses, from the old film days, ppl are still using them today on modern DSLR camera. I'm one of the ppl, using a 1993 minolta lens with no calibration issues, colors are one level higher than modern lenses.