On 12/2/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged: >Cotty said he was hoping his Canon D60 would last 10 to 15 years with >repairs. I hope my D100 is viable as long, but I doubt it. > >Here's why. DSLRs are going to be manufacturer-repair only. Ye Olde >Corner Camera Store can fix older mechanical cameras because they >usually just need adjustment, or can use salvaged parts. They can >sometimes fix electro-mechanical cameras, IF they can get parts. > >(This, BTW, is where I parted company with Pentax professionally--I was >wearing out Super Program film advance gearing and Pentax wasn't >making more. This was about 1994, 10 years after the Super-Program was >introduced IIRC) > >But DSLRs have very complicated parts made in small quantities, and even >the better camera repair shops aren't going to have the parts or the >knowledge to fix them, so they will be factory or factory-authorized jobs >only. > >What reason does Canon (or Nikon) have to support an older DSLR if the >alternative is getting you to buy a new one? Nikon supposedly bulldozed >an entire warehouse of F2 parts to get people to stop using their >F2s and buy F3s. > >I've got an F2, and it's an orphan because parts are very hard to find. >I've got two Nikkormat ELs and a handful of ME Supers and Super Programs >which are in the same situation. All of these cameras are simple enough >that if my repair shop doesn't need unique parts they can often get >them working again--just adjustment, screws, etc. >My LX is about to fall into this category, too. Another thing that drove >me away from Pentax professionally is the hassle of getting the LX >repaired. > >I'm building up enough Spotmatic SPIIs so that I'll have a collection of >spare parts to keep the survivors going as long as I can get film for >them. Spotmatics are simple enough that I might be able to get parts >MADE for them, plus there were a couple million made so there are plenty >out there to get parts from. > >DJE
[above unsnipped due to subject line discontinuity] Fair comment. The ball is really in the manufacturer's court. I suppose I am being optimistic in assuming that ten to fifteen year old technology will be supported. The only saving grace may be that within the time frame, it's possible that a micro-industry could arise to fulfil the needs of repairing unsupported hardware, much as is available now. AFAIK, DSLRs are pretty simple really - the basic camera is not much different from an electronic film version. It's still a light-tight box with a moving-parts shutter assembly and plenty of supporting electronics. I believe the sensor assembly is removed on one unit? It may be that DSLR longevity will be decided by the manufacturer and its desire (or not) to let you carry on with what you have. All the computers I have in our house have either been repaired by me at some point, or upgraded. I acquire spares as and when they become available at a reasonable price. I would anticipate buying a dead D60 body or 3 in a few year's time for spares. No problem taking one apart - good fun, and cheap. After all, my time is free - and highlighting the cost-savings to the Financial Restrictions Department means extra points towards one day picking up a used 1D..... Time will tell :-) Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _____________________________ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
