I have a couple of L lenses that are approaching 19 years old, and am wondering when I can expect problems with them.
These are my two oldest lenses. Before that, I used fully mechanical lenses on the Olympus OM system and did run into problems with the grease hardening from old age, or migrating onto the aperture blades and causing them to stick. My understanding is that this is no longer a problem with modern materials and lubricants, but that the AF motors and IS mechanisms do wear out with use. And then there’s random failure of electronics. I just have no relevant experience, so I’m asking here.
The two lenses are the EF 70–200mm f/4 IS (first version) and the EF 35mm f/1.4 (first version).
The zoom has been heavily used and looks like it cosmetically. I might use it less in the future, since I now have the RF 100–500mm and RF 85mm f/1.4, but it remains useful. My main concern is a failure on a trip.
The 35 hasn’t been used as much since I got a Sony RX1, but I keep it around, e.g. for video.
I also have the EF 180mm f/3.5 macro, which is nearly as old, but being a specialist lens it hasn’t been used as much, and anyway there’s as yet no RF replacement available.
As far as I know, there is nowhere in Australia to get these lenses fixed any more. Canon have discontinued service for them, and the place in Easey St. Collingwood no longer services Canon except for government customers.
I have a couple of L lenses that are approaching 19 years old, and am wondering when I can expect problems with them.
These are my two oldest lenses. Before that, I used fully mechanical lenses on the Olympus OM system and did run into problems with the grease hardening from old age, or migrating onto the aperture blades and causing them to stick. My understanding is that this is no longer a problem with modern materials and lubricants, but that the AF motors and IS mechanisms do wear out with use. And then there’s random failure of electronics. I just have no relevant experience, so I’m asking here.
The two lenses are the EF 70–200mm f/4 IS (first version) and the EF 35mm f/1.4 (first version).
The zoom has been heavily used and looks like it cosmetically. I might use it less in the future, since I now have the RF 100–500mm and RF 85mm f/1.4, but it remains useful. My main concern is a failure on a trip.
The 35 hasn’t been used as much since I got a Sony RX1, but I keep it around, e.g. for video.
I also have the EF 180mm f/3..5 macro, which is nearly as old, but being a specialist lens it hasn’t been used as much, and anyway there’s as yet no RF replacement available.
As far as I know, there is nowhere in Australia to get these lenses fixed any more. Canon have discontinued service for them, and the place in Easey St. Collingwood no longer services Canon except for government customers.
Dec 05, 2025 at 09:49 PM
Previous versions of melcat's message #16942649 « How old is too old for an L lens? »
