How long can Canon SLR Lens last? 15 years or 20 years?

I have zoom lenses that I have owned and used since 1970 or so. Everything depends on now you take care of them. Don’t knock them around. There are lenses made by the manufacturer of the camera and after market lenses. Aftermarket lenses are not made, in general, to the physical specifications of the camera brand’s lenses.

Lens last a long time *if* they are taken care of. Other than compatibility issues (Canon FD series vs EF series), poor care may cause fungus growth and tarnished metal fittings. You should take this into consideration when buying an old lens. The coatings on the lens may also be worn out if the users frequently cleans it.

People look for second hand lens when they are classics like the 50mm f/1.0 or if they think that the first generation is better like the 50mm f/1.8. The older version has metal lens mount while the current version uses plastic.

Basically, if looked after, till Canon change the lens mount (again). I’m still using Pentax lenses I bought nearly 40 years ago, but Pentax have had the same lens mount since 1973.

The only things that ‘kills’ a lens is fungus, if you can see it it’s already too late, fungus secretes an acid that eats glass, or they may have been cleaned too zealously, they can suffer from ‘oily’ diaphragms which make the aperture sluggish, but this is fairly easy to repair by any competent technician.

Chris

20 yrs

Before bidding, make sure the lens has a mount similar to your camera. Canon has modified its lens mount at least once. Lenses can last more than a lifetime as long as they are taken cared of properly by their owners.

I still use old Minolta lenses from when my dad got the X-700, which is from 1981… 30 years ago. Perfect condition, no problems, and the minolta 50mm f/1.4 is one of the best lenses ever made.

if you take good care of your equipment, it can last indefinitely (over exaggerating… but still, a good bit of time.)