Longevity of digital cameras

[colint544]

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I'm severely tempting fate with this post, but here goes.. 

My trusty M9M is now comfortably into its 11th year with me. It works exactly as it did when it was new. I can easily make a beautiful A2 sized print from the files it produces, if I wish. It has the 2016 corrosion-proof sensor fitted. I can still get batteries and memory cards for it. I have the measure of all its quirks, especially the one where I have to remember to compensate for how inaccurate the rangefinder framelines are, compared to more recent digital M cameras. But I have a body of work I've produced with this camera. It's like an old friend to me.

And it's not alone in being somewhat elderly for a digital product. The Canon EOS 1DX that I use for work hails from 2012 as well. The guy that owned it before me - a colleague at the time - did not look after it. It had spaceship mileage on the shutter when it came into my ownership in 2014, after he had taken redundancy. He claimed it had rolled over in the boot of his car, and the shutter button had been pressed in at the highest frame rate for many miles as he was driving. When Canon serviced it, they returned it with a terse note, saying that the internal frame had corrosion on it. The previous owner did a lot of yachting photography out at sea. But the camera still earns me money.

And another friend has the original Canon G7 Powershot from 2006. He uses it all the time, and it just keeps going.

My point is that digital cameras can last a long time. When the Leica M8 and M9 were new, I'd sometimes see people on the forum here dismiss these cameras, saying 'Of course, after ten years, your digital camera becomes a paperweight.' Now, I'm not so sure. Has anyone else got a long-lasting digital camera?

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2022 by colint544

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[pegelli]

I still have a Nikon Coolpix 990 from 2001 that works well.

Unfortunately my first DSLR, a KonicaMinolta 5D from 2006, died last year, it's actully the only digital camera I have/had that doesn't work anymore

My second DSLR, a Sony A700 from 2008, still works like a charm and gets used regularly

All my later Sony cameras are either sold in working condition or are still in use by me today.

This year I bought a used M246Monochrom that I hope to use at least 10 years and maybe more.

I wonder if any of these digital bodies will outlast my 1958 M2, we'll see, I probably won't live to experience this.

For me making the best of older technology is part of the fun of photography, actually the M246M is the most "modern" digital body I have, all the others I use are older.

Edited December 24, 2022 by pegelli

[mmradman]

I had D700 that was 10 years old when i used it as part of part exchange deal to purchase Z7 back in 2019. Oldest digital camera

in my hands is M246 now 7 years old, works same as on day one.  Recently I bought secondhand M240P with full confidence I was not buying paperweight.

 

[pgk]

I have two M9s. One was bought already hard used, dented and marked and I have not cosseted it in the years since. Leica replaced the sensors in both and they continue to run as well as ever. I still like the files that they produce and will continue to use them until they finally give up, which hopefully will be many years in the future. My old Canon 5D2s are also operating well.

That sad, I have had digital cameras which have died and others which have become tricky to use. The Fuji S2Pro was an early6MPixel camera which used AA batteries meaning that it could be kept running easily enough. Unfortunately its high power consumption seems to have been its undoing as sensors suffered from overheating and delaminated and working ones seem very rare today. I also owned early digital cameras from Kodak, Nikon and Canon. The Kodak suffered from electronic interface problems with inconsistent start up and scrambled screens at times, although it delivered great images when it worked properly. All became tricky to get batteries for though which was increasingly problematic as they aged.

It is in my mind to start buying a couple of new batteries each year for my M9s to ensure that I can keep them running and that they do not become problematic due to not having sufficient reliable batteries.

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[colint544]

Just now, pegelli said:

I still have a Nikon Coolpix 990 from 2001 that works well.

Unfortunately my first DSLR, a KonicaMinolta 5D from 2006, died last year, it's actully the only digital camera I have/had that doesn't work anymore

My second DSLR, a Sony A700, still works like a charm and gets used regularly

All my later Sony cameras are either sold in working condition or are still in use by me today.

This year I bought a used M246Monochrom that I hope to use at least 10 years and maybe more.

I wonder if any of these digital bodies will outlast my 1958 M2, we'll see, I probably won't live to experience this.

For me making the best of older technology is part of the fun of photography, actually the M246M is the most "modern" digital body, all the others I use are older.

Agree that there's something to be said for the fun involved in using old equipment. There are you tubers now extolling the filmic quality of pictures taken on the CCD sensors of early digital point and shoots. I mean, I sincerely doubt an M9 or an M11 will outlast an M2, but if we use these machines a lot, we can make them good value for money, while they last.

[colint544]

4 minutes ago, pgk said:

I have two M9s. One was bought already hard used, dented and marked and I have not cosseted it in the years since. Leica replaced the sensors in both and they continue to run as well as ever. I still like the files that they produce and will continue to use them until they finally give up, which hopefully will be many years in the future. My old Canon 5D2s are also operating well.

That sad, I have had digital cameras which have died and others which have become tricky to use. The Fuji S2Pro was an early6MPixel camera which used AA batteries meaning that it could be kept running easily enough. Unfortunately its high power consumption seems to have been its undoing as sensors suffered from overheating and delaminated and working ones seem very rare today. I also owned early digital cameras from Kodak, Nikon and Canon. The Kodak suffered from electronic interface problems with inconsistent start up and scrambled screens at times, although it delivered great images when it worked properly. All became tricky to get batteries for though which was increasingly problematic as they aged.

It is in my mind to start buying a couple of new batteries each year for my M9s to ensure that I can keep them running and that they do not become problematic due to not having sufficient reliable batteries.

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Your M9 looks wonderful.

[mmradman]

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11 minutes ago, pgk said:

I have two M9s. One was bought already hard used, dented and marked and I have not cosseted it in the years since. Leica replaced the sensors in both and they continue to run as well as ever. I still like the files that they produce and will continue to use them until they finally give up, which hopefully will be many years in the future. My old Canon 5D2s are also operating well.

That sad, I have had digital cameras which have died and others which have become tricky to use. The Fuji S2Pro was an early6MPixel camera which used AA batteries meaning that it could be kept running easily enough. Unfortunately its high power consumption seems to have been its undoing as sensors suffered from overheating and delaminated and working ones seem very rare today. I also owned early digital cameras from Kodak, Nikon and Canon. The Kodak suffered from electronic interface problems with inconsistent start up and scrambled screens at times, although it delivered great images when it worked properly. All became tricky to get batteries for though which was increasingly problematic as they aged.

It is in my mind to start buying a couple of new batteries each year for my M9s to ensure that I can keep them running and that they do not become problematic due to not having sufficient reliable batteries.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

Its good point batteries, ability to operate old camera may be limited by availability of fresh batteries once manufacturer stop producing accessories.  Other possible problem may be lack of firmware support however this ought not to be show stopper as future updates could be support for new lens 6-bit coding.

[Keith (M)]

Well, I've just unearthed from my desk's bottom drawer my Canon G11 and Nikon Coolpix 5200 complete with batteries and chargers.  Can't remember the last time I used the Nikon but putting the battery into it, it did come to life, although obviously in need of a recharge.  The G11 is probably unused since circa 2011, will be interesting to see if the battery will take a charge (currently being recharged).  

The Nikon was my second 'shirt pocket' camera for business trips whilst the G11 was a compact substitute for (initially) a 20D then 5D and 5D Mk11.  Both served their purposes very well.

PS - I am astonished.  Out of curiosity I just put the spare battery in the G11 and it sprang to life.  Amazing considering how many years it has lain untouched in the drawer.

Edited December 24, 2022 by Keith (M)
PS added.

[Peter_S]

M9M and X1 in regular use here...both beaten but working. I would not hesitate to get an M8 either if I had use for another color body. Until not too long I had a Kodak DSC back (sold in working order with a Mamiya body) and my Nikon Coolscan 8000ED runs as well with all editing done on a 7 year old Macbook Pro. The Ipad I type this from is even older. 

Edited December 25, 2022 by Peter_S

[jaques]

can't speak for digital camera longevity but I am constantly surprised by all types of electronic cameras form the 1980's and 1970's that still operate perfectly. I buy, sell and collect vintage photographic gear and have handled thousands of old cameras over the years. Time and again- a fresh set of batteries and new light seals is all that is required. Probably the biggest killer of vintage cameras is old batteries left inside to expand and corrode. Certain camera had particular design flaws and are almost always found with the same issue. Others were built so well they operate flawlessly even when they show extreme wear and signs of massive use. I am hoping my Leica digital bodies prove to be as long lived as some of the old SLR's...

Edited December 25, 2022 by jaques

[pgk]

On 12/24/2022 at 3:02 PM, colint544 said:

My point is that digital cameras can last a long time.

Just thinking about this and I'm wondering if those cameras which shoot video have sensors which use more energy and so which may heat up more - this was certainly an issue with some cameras which had a thermal cutout in case the sensor overheated - may potentially have shorter lives due to the heating/cooling cycles which will involve expansion/contraction and so on. If so this may be a good reason for stcking to non-video capable cameras if you only ever want to shoot stills, or at least never using video functions. Just a thought.

[SoarFM]

I never got along with my M9, but plenty do. I just really like CMOS live view capabilities

But I get along fabulously with my M10M and M11 and am not breathlessly awaiting the next releases. 

And my Leica CL (digital) is going to be with me a long time since it is probably the end of the line for L mount APS.

 

[dpitt]

• Leica M5 - 1972 transformed for modern batteries but otherwise works fine
• Nikon FE - 1978
• Nikon 990 - 2001
• Digilux 2 - 2004
• R8+DMR - 2004 - batteries almost gone - otherwise fine
• M8 - 2007
• M9 - 2011 - replaced sensor 2016 

All of them still in working condition.

2 of them almost unusable because of unobtainable batteries. In case of M5 solved relatively cheap, I heard that you can have the innerworks of DMR batteries replaced by newer iphone batteries for ±500 euro a piece !

Same story with all of them, sudden death on the first essential part that fails, but lucky survivors can reach 40 years IMO

Edited December 27, 2022 by dpitt

[pgk]

6 minutes ago, dpitt said:

Nikon FE - 1978

Oddly enough, from what I read, the Nikon FE tends to suffer mechanical failures rather than electronic. Fortunately some can be rectified.

[jonnyboy]

Very good point. Personally, I think as long as you keep the "digital" running (eg. work, hobby or whatever it is) chances are it will continue to operate in most of the cases. Your M9M is a great example. I think once the camera start sitting in cupboards etc. that can lead to various roads.
Just few days ago I turned on my very old Apple ibook (dated early 2000's) and surprisingly it was still turning on and operate -  battery totally fried tho.

 

[Herr Barnack]

My M-P 240 Safari is now 7+ years old and shows no signs of old age in terms of performance/functioning/usability.

I can't speak for Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony, etc.  but IMHO digital M and Q cameras will continue to function without problems far longer than most owners think.  There is a story (below) of a photojournalist who put 500,000 exposures through his Q in four years...

 

Edited December 27, 2022 by Herr Barnack

[colint544]

1 hour ago, jonnyboy said:

Very good point. Personally, I think as long as you keep the "digital" running (eg. work, hobby or whatever it is) chances are it will continue to operate in most of the cases. Your M9M is a great example. I think once the camera start sitting in cupboards etc. that can lead to various roads.
Just few days ago I turned on my very old Apple ibook (dated early 2000's) and surprisingly it was still turning on and operate -  battery totally fried tho.

 

Yes, with modern equipment the battery is often the Achilles heel. If you can't get them any more, you're snookered. Leica must have sold a boatload of M9s. It seemed a wildly popular camera when it came out because full-frame sensors were rare back then, especially in a non-DSLR. That was a definite USP of the M9. I'd like to think that if genuine batteries become unavailable there will still be other sources.

[colint544]

52 minutes ago, Herr Barnack said:

My M-P 240 Safari is now 7+ years old and shows no signs of old age in terms of performance/functioning/usability.

I can't speak for Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony, etc.  but IMHO digital M and Q cameras will continue to function without problems far longer than most owners think.  There is a story (below) of a photojournalist who put 500,000 exposures through his Q in four years...

 

Nice one. A great testament to a well-designed and built machine that thrives on being used.

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[dpitt]

1 hour ago, Herr Barnack said:

My M-P 240 Safari is now 7+ years old and shows no signs of old age in terms of performance/functioning/usability.

I can't speak for Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony, etc.  but IMHO digital M and Q cameras will continue to function without problems far longer than most owners think.  There is a story (below) of a photojournalist who put 500,000 exposures through his Q in four years...

 

His Q looks better than my M9 when I bought it second hand. Only 2 years old with bad scars and little dents on the top...Shuttecount <3000 😱
Some photographers are careless, even with expensive gear...

[erniethemilk]

I have an original Fujifilm X-Pro1 which is now 10 years old. Still works as well as the day I had it, albeit having been dropped, scraped etc over the years it doesn’t look it’s best. 
 

The big advantage is there are plenty of used Fuji’s out there that utilise the same battery, so getting hold of batteries should not be a problem for the next 10!

I’m hoping my M10-P lasts just as long which I see little reason to doubt.