When will Canon stop supporting your camera? Here spotted by Canon Rumors. Any thoughts from you Canon users ? (Page 3): I’m not worried. My 5D4 and M5 can be repaired by a third party...

kcooke Loc: Alabama

I’m not worried. My 5D4 and M5 can be repaired by a third party when they are no longer covered. There is a whole industry for repairing non supported cameras. No parts no worries. They buy used cameras for donor parts. I had an old D80 fixed 5 years ago by a third party. Wonderful experience

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

I am a professional photograher, not a photographic retailer, distributor, or marketing expert in any of the aforementioned sectors of the business. I do not pretend to l know what all the strategies are in the supply chain of photographic equipment. I can only comment based on my own observations.

In the professional world, back in the good old or bad old days, depeng how you remember them, you purchased a camera or system, and you used it for years. If it broke down, the warranty or independent repair service would fix it. There always seemed to b the availability of parts. Small independent repair shops stocked parts, made parts order for the manufacturer, and scrapped old cameras and lenses for parts. Manufacturers and distributer backed up their products. If you lived long enough you could give your old cameras to your grandchildren and they still worked. Pros used their cameras for decades. At one time a beaten-up old Speed Graphic or a "brassed" Nikon F with all the black paint rubbed off were the "badges" of the experienced pro. Nowadays this is all nostalgia- forgotten- and as they used to say in Brooklyn "forgetaboutit"! Gone, Dead, Kaput! Toit Passed Away- Crossed the Rainbow Bridge!

As I see it, today's camera and lens manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have elevated built-in obsolesce to an art form. You pay a fortune for all these computer-driven electronic monstrosities, and you are kinda married to the brand "forever" unless you "divorce" it, depending on their firmware updates or lack thereof, they don't sell parts to independent shops, and they discontinue parts production in shorter and shorter lengths of time.

I suspect that even during the warranty period or if you have to pay for authorized out-of-warranty repairs, there are no repair technicians that can troubleshoot a modular circuit for individual component malfunctions -they are PARTS CHANGERS. So, when they (the manufacturers) stop producing those modular circuit boards- you are out of luck!

Besides, technology is improving and advancing at such a rapid and steady pace, the younger guys and gals don't want to use "old stuff"!

And, to boot, since your perfecty good older DSLR can never be repaired, you won't get very much for it should you want to sell it off.

As a professional, this doesn't bother me- I have to accept the market for waht it is. I use my gear, in some cases, until it disintegrates, or it no longer meets my requirements as per my clients' needs. I devalue it, incrementally, on my "books", and write it off at the end of the line.

Flash gear?- DOUBLE "forgetaboutit! The major distributors of mostof the domestically-made (U.S) pro flash gear, tell you in advance, NOT to send in discontinued units in for repair.

I am a professional photograher, not a photographi... (show quote)

The owner of my local repair shop (Archinal Camera Repair), who did authorized repair for a number of manufacturers, including Nikon, Canon, and Sony, showed me the hoops that he had to go through to be allowed to get the necessary documentation and be authorized to order parts. He showed me what he had to do for both Nikon and Sony. for both. Nikon's process (where he was certified to repair specific camera models) was more difficult, involving extensive training and testing. Sony was simpler, but he was able only to replace assemblies, not individual parts or even individual circuit boards in most cases. Unfortunately, the combination of elimination of Nikon authorized service and the pandemic dealt Archinal a fatal blow.

I have been told by two different camera shop owners that in general, the service paradigm going forward is that (except for Pentax, which follows a different drummer) support will be provided for the current and one previous model in each product line. As an example for Nikon, the D850 and D810 are supported models of what you might call the "8" line. The D800 and its varieties passed out of support when the new approach was adopted. And...when the "Z8" is introduced, support will end for the D810 (but continue for the D850). There may be some fine tuning around actual dates of discontinuance, but this is the guiding plan.

So I am led to wonder whether, if someone cares, could this support projection from Canon be used in reverse to predict with some level of certainty when new models are planned for introduction. I personally do not so care, but it is food for thought.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Perhaps I am un uncharacteristically grouchy this morning but I find this ongoing brand vs. camera brand "debate", for a lack of a better word, juvenile! I was gonna say "stupid, by my mother taught me no to use that word as it is impolite. Some of the remarks and arguments are more befitting a bunch of obnoxious middle-school kids- kinda like little boys in the locker room comparing their private parts, as to size!

I can understand the value of comparing specific cameras in a similar price range as to actual performance in the field, ergonomics, particular features that enable more efficient and rapid operation, durability, reliability, and real final results. In the professional world, clients evaluate and pay for your PICTURES, not your cameras. Even as a hobbyist, the end game is in your PICTURES. The cultism and tribalism about brands are useless.

Manufacturing, distributing, and retailing photographic equipment is a BUSINESS. Corporations, large and small, and independent businesses have to make sales and earn profits. They all will adopt strategies to sell more and earn more whether it be building in obsolescence, restricting repairs to gray-market gear, withholding parts from independent repair shops, discounting your favorite models along with their support, and even coming up wh some great new stuff to tempt us all. Unless we are gonna make our own cameras, lenses, and electronics, we have to put up with all of this and buy what is suitable for OUR requirements and from whom and where we feel we are getting the best deals and service. Unless you are in the market for a major purchase or seriously retooling, all this folklore, gossip, and headlines from the rumor mill are a waste of time.

In my various jobs in photography, I have been in the position to train many rookies. So, all of them are usually swarming around gear purchases like hungry hornets and I need to remind them BASICALLY, a camera has a lens, shutter, an aperture, and method of focusing, and a viewfinder of sorts to compose on. If you are a savvy photograher, these are all that you need and of course, knowledge of how all those elements interact. If you like some automation, bells, and whistle to make things more convenient and efficient- why not?

If you want a driverless car, why waste the money- just use public transportation!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Luck is the by-product of shooting with Canon.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

Wow...

This is an Interesting Subject.

I've Owned Nikon, Pentax, Canon & other Brands, from Film to Digital, from S.L.R. to Pocket Film, Pocket Digital, to Bridge Camera.

& I have 3 Pentax Film Cameras from the 80's & 90's when they No Longer Stop Working, or another issue, I called Pentax about it Providing the Camera Model & was Told they No Longer could Repair them, due to the B.S. Lack of Parts Song.

It was the same for a Fuji Pocket I got at the End of 92, because the Focusing was Out of Whack in Early 94, No Parts Available!

&...just Last Saturday, my Prized Canon SX50 Bridge Camera I Bought in February 14, which Fell out it's Unzipped Case by Accident on the Floor when I was getting ready to put its Charged Battery in, the Lens would not move & shut the Camera Down.

I Posted on U.H.H. for any Solutions on Repairing the SX50 that Day & got Answers on what I should do.

I Bought a Lumix DC-FZ80 Package, Camera, Flash, Video Flash, Tripod, Camera Care Kit & Case from Walmart Online, Monday & was Delivered Yesterday to Replace my SX50.

So...I will Sell my Broken, Worn Out Cameras on Ebay, won't make Much Bread.

But as for the Camera Manufacturers...I have No Words for them for Not Repairing Older Cameras & People with Older Cameras can't get them Fixed By the Manufacturers cause they don't have Parts for them No Longer & you have to Find an Indie to See if they could Repair it.

There use to be an Indie in New Jersey, Called Essex & they Fell after Hurricane Sandy is what I was Told & they Repaired All Kinds of Cameras & were Dedicated to it.

If Canon, Nikon, Sony (Minolta), Pentax, Etc Stopped Servicing the Cameras due to its Age, or Lack of Parts, Essex would Repair it, but Now their No More.

But again...The Camera Manufacturers need to Relax their Policies & Service Its Older Cameras & Stockpile Parts.

74images@gmail.com

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

gwilliams6 wrote:

When will Canon stop supporting your camera? Here ... (show quote)

LOL.....my only Canon, (the dinosaur G16) is still going strong....but will come to an honorable demise...one day. No worries

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

gwilliams6 wrote:

I meant I no longer have any of my numerous Canon ... (show quote)

gwilliams6.....what a nice endorsement for the Canon F1......I have mine on ,y desk as a paperweight....no shooting expectations....just nostalgia

gwilliams6

RonDavis wrote:

gwilliams6.....what a nice endorsement for the Canon F1......I have mine on ,y desk as a paperweight....no shooting expectations....just nostalgia

One of the toughest cameras that Canon ever made, it just simply worked, no matter what you threw at it. Nice place of honor for yours.

Cheers and best to you.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

RonDavis wrote:

gwilliams6.....what a nice endorsement for the Canon F1......I have mine on ,y desk as a paperweight....no shooting expectations....just nostalgia

I still take mine out once a year for a hike in the woods and shoot some film.
Mine is a generation older than the one in the picture.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Architect1776 wrote:

I still take mine out once a year for a hike in the woods and shoot some film.
Mine is a generation older than the one in the picture.

Well....mine is identical to the photo (same meter screen, same lens with hood AND motor-winder/handle attached which made this wonderful beast easier to handle).

This was last film camera I used before the loss of my (b/w) dark room.....TriX and Ilford had become a familiar friends.

Then the big switch to (Fuji) digital. It's all good

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

RonDavis wrote:

Well....mine is identical to the photo (same meter... (show quote)

Yes, there were 3 generations of F-1.
I have the 1st 2 but my first generation will freeze up if my motor drive is hooked up to it.
Most likely needs a CLA but not worth it.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

gwilliams6 wrote:

One of the toughest cameras that Canon ever made, it just simply worked, no matter what you threw at it. Nice place of honor for yours.

Cheers and best to you.

I had an F-1- that thing had to be made of iron. I still have, somewhere, waht is left of my Nikon F- the one with an accessory (FTN) meter as an option. It's from my press days in Montreal. Most of the black finish is gone- it looks like a GOLDEN camera. I too had it on my desk for a long time with a Dymo label "Warning; DO NOT DROP THIS CAMERA ON YOUR FOOT- SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY WILL RESULT"! The last time I unearthed it from the closet, it still worked perfectly.

tennis2618

I am not a Canon shooter, although I am impressed by their mirrorless approach and product and when I switch they (and Olympus) will get serious consideration. I am very familiar after a 40 year career working closely associated with the consumer and commercial product manufacturers like a/c manufacturers with the scroll compressors and washer and dryer manufacturers with increased motor technologies, etc. that it is unreasonable to criticize manufacturers of technical products for discontinuing support of discontinued products and technologies after about 10 years, which is the standard in most industries. And how long did Apple support Aperture after discontinuing it--about 5 years. In this world of fast changing technologies do you want your best companies working on old designs or new and then the next new coming down the road. Canon has been in the camera business for a long time--think of the companies that didn't or couldn't keep up with their technologies and lost significant market positions--Kodak, Motorola, so many car manufacturers, etc, ect, ect. Should Canon be one of those. I hope none of you critics ever work for a strong business consulting firm that I am invested in!

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

tennis2618 wrote:

I am not a Canon shooter, although I am impressed ... (show quote)

I don't think no one is whining here.....it's all good. We're all wearing our big boy pants.....just reminiscing when companies and warranties were more accommodating....and products seem to have a longer life cycle.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

RonDavis wrote:

I don't think no one is whining here.....it's all good. We're all wearing our big boy pants.....just reminiscing when companies and warranties were more accommodating....and products seem to have a longer life cycle.

SOME electronics change every six months.......