How durable are DSLR's?

[Spinning]

I know that is a stupid question but here are my issues.

I am not a clumsy person I don't drop my camera I really do take care of them but since going digital I seem to always have issues when the camera gets to the 2 year mark.
My latest is having problems. I love it but fear I will need to replace it soon.

I really thought my next camera would be a DSLR but now I am worried since I seem to have bad luck I will be replacing the DSLR in 2 years. Granted I know I will get some warrenty when I do......
My orginal SLR is over 25 years old and still works great! I put it through the mill during my early 20's. Do DSLR's hold up?

I would hate to spend $1000 and find in 11/2 it is off to the shop to be fixed for some odd reason, not due to a drop or something....

 

[DueyDooDah]

Each is made of different materials. Just ensure you don't go with a plastic model and you sould be OK. I take normal precautions with my 30D but I'm not a fanatic. It gets used and handled - no sign of wear yet.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I imagine you'll get lots of different answers here as there are varieds levels of experience, equipment, and shooting styles.


I knew my first dSLR was basically going to replace my point and shoot as my "everyday camera", so I bought it with that in mind. It's with me just about every day on every outing, tossed in the car along with the dog and kids and sometimes even thrown in my pocketbook. I'm as careful as I can be with it, but I don't baby it. I bought it to use it. I let the kids use it (though they know they have to be pretty careful with it) and even dragged it into work with me the other night (next to my lunchbag and work bag) so I could shoot the beautiful Boston skyline, which I did at 4am, LOL.


I didn't exactly know what to expect before I bought it as to how it was going to go, if I'd even like it, how I'd carry it, etc, so I didn't want to break the bank the first time around. I hope it doesn't break, but if it does, it wasn't so expensive that it's irreplaceable. This, of course, is just me, and it could change the second time around, who knows.

 

[Gdad]

The DSLR is probably more durable than the lens you will likely have attached to it. Take it from another clumsy person.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Not to hijack or anything... but I was also wondering the same thing.

I just bought a Canon XSi yesterday at Best Buy, and for $130 I can get a 4 year replacement plan (covers everything except submerging in water). Would this be worth it to get, even if just for the peace of mind? I think I'd be heartbroken if something happened to it, and dropping a lot to replace it would hurt. Is the $130 worth it? Or should I get this on the lenses I'll likely buy in the future?

 

[Gdad]

Not to hijack or anything... but I was also wondering the same thing.

I just bought a Canon XSi yesterday at Best Buy, and for $130 I can get a 4 year replacement plan (covers everything except submerging in water). Would this be worth it to get, even if just for the peace of mind? I think I'd be heartbroken if something happened to it, and dropping a lot to replace it would hurt. Is the $130 worth it? Or should I get this on the lenses I'll likely buy in the future?

I bought that same Best Buy warranty for my D700.

 

[jann1033]

i would just guess a P&s is made more "disposable" since they are cheaper..i don't think you need to worry much. i always keep mine in my bag, unless i am using it, then around my neck or shoulder if i am. i take good care of it but no more so than anything else..i have a rebel xt and it's still blemish free. i think the main concern would be dropping it or if you use it by a beach, sand or salt water but that is probably so with any camera. my 4 yr old granddaughter uses mine occasionally but i make sure either it's around my or her neck.
my biggest worry is due to clumsiness on my part falling flat on my face and having the camera hit the dirt but so far that hasn't happened, close a few times but not yet :0

 

[JR6ooo4]

Not to hijack or anything... but I was also wondering the same thing.

I just bought a Canon XSi yesterday at Best Buy, and for $130 I can get a 4 year replacement plan (covers everything except submerging in water). Would this be worth it to get, even if just for the peace of mind? I think I'd be heartbroken if something happened to it, and dropping a lot to replace it would hurt. Is the $130 worth it? Or should I get this on the lenses I'll likely buy in the future?

We have a "Personal Article" insurance policy with allstate. It's coverage includes accidental damage, like dropping it on the ground, or in water. Items need to be over $400 to qualify. We have my DSLR and lenses, both laptops etc... We are at about $5000 in coverage and we pay about $120 yearly for that peace of mind.

Mikeeee

 

[pjacobi]

My orginal SLR is over 25 years old and still works great!

Unfortuately, dSLR shares more in common with a PC rather than a film SLR from 25 year ago. As with a PC, a dSLR is obsolete the minute it leaves the store!

Realistically, this mean you need to plan for replacement of dSLR body within about 5 years after purchase.

This is why it is even more important to invest in good quality lenses that can be re-used on the next generation dSLR body.

I also suggest protecting your lenses with a high quality clear or UV filter to protect the front element. The filter will often shatter first deflecting the energy away and protecting the front lens element.


-Paul

 

[Spinning]

Realistically, this mean you need to plan for replacement of dSLR body within about 5 years after purchase.

That statement sums up my fears! LOL! If I know basically I will need to up grade in 5 years and I can't even make 2 with my other cameras I think I am sunk!
Hopefully with the cooler weather coming I won't have issues with the humidity if that is the problem. Plus things do slow down a little with the picture taking!

I may stop in the camera store and see if they have any clue. I just really thought I had at least another summer out of this camera before I have to think about a new one.....

 

[Groucho]

Different cameras will have different durabilities but by and large, they'll probably be a good bit sturdier than a PnS.

FWIW, my K20D has had a minor drop (landing on metal lens hood after son undid the quick release on my Op/Tech strap! ) and I've had it out in quite a bit of rain and snow and even hail recently. It is weathersealed so I am not concerned about the water, and I'm not too worried about it getting bumped and jarred (within reason) either.

I do suspect that it won't last as long as my old film SLRs though, just because of all the electronics. I'm currently shooting a roll of film through a 45+-year-old SLR, last summer I used a 50+-year-old rangefinder, and my own bought-new nearly-20-year-old K1000 still works like brand new. But only one of those has any electronics and all it is is a basic lightmeter.

I'd like to think that my current cam will hold me over for a long time, but who knows... I very well may be tempted by ones released in the future. But for now, I'm not planning on upgrading.

 

[seashoreCM]

Anyone read articles on the longevity of the prism assembly in SLR's compared with the mechanics (shutter, etc.) of P&S cameras?

If you drop any camera and it falls on the lens, isn't the overall alignment and focus messed up thereafter?

My brother has a Nikkormat (film) SLR that is something like 35 years old and it is now unusable because the foam light seals around the film loading door have biodegraded.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[dr_zero]

My brother has a Nikkormat (film) SLR that is something like 35 years old and it is now unusable because the foam light seals around the film loading door have biodegraded.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

Dont give up on the camera just yet! You can get light seals from
http://www.uscamera.com/lightseals.htm or if you are handy you can try out this article http://www.davidrichert.com/Replacing Light Seals/replacing_light_seals.htm

 

[YEKCIM]

Most camera mfg's make models in several different price categories, with the higher-end cameras having things like magnesium chassis, heavy duty shutter, weather sealing, etc. You might want to consider a slightly longer-in-the-tooth model if those things appeal to you and you are on a budget (aren't we all??). I'm not as familiar with the offerings from Oly, Pentax, Sony, and Canon, but the Nikon D200 is a pro-level DSLR that has the mag chassis and sealing. Since the introduction of the D300, there are lots of good D200's on the used market at pretty decent prices, considering the original price. I've seen them in the $700-800 range, used. New, the D200 body goes for about $1000.00, which is still a lot less than they originally sold for.

~Y

 

[Spinning]

I don't know what my plans are....I really absolutely loved this camera. It did everything I wanted. It still works but it just acts up at times. Luckily I do have a back up. I have a small nikon point and shoot that takes nice pictures for snapshots.
Of course I could just repurchase this camera....but you know when you start looking some other things look even better......The DSLR really appeal to me for the lack of shutter time. I learned with this one how to compensate for the lag and took beautiful diving pictures of my kids. But I know with no lag time I would have even better pictures.....so then my problem would be the zoom lens....that is where I think my huge chunk of money will go because it would have to be one of the faster lenses.....ugh!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Come on Spinning, live on the edge.

 

[thomas998]

The only real issue I've found with the DSLRs that makes them more finicky than a film SLR is the dust issue. With the old film camera any dust on the film would only impact that picture as the film rolled on through so did the dust. With the digital sensor staying in the same place for all eternity... a dust devil on it in one picture will try and stay there for the rest of them until you remove it.... Where I wasn't as careful about where I changed lenses with a film camera I'm much more careful with the digital.... think of it this way... there are fewer moving parts in the digital camera.. no motors or drives for film.. just the movement of the mirror and the shutter... I tend to think there is less to worry about with the digital than the film...besides you'll likely want to upgrade the camera before it wears out.

 

[mabas9395]

I wish that my Rebel XT wasn't as durable as it is. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years and I'm ready for an upgrade to a 40D, but I can't really justify the expense unless my XT breaks.

I've taken it down Splash Mountain, took it Saturday on a long hike up a mountain, and even let my 9yo destructo son use it, but unfortunately, it still works like the first day I got it.

So if anyone knows a way to make the XT a little less durable (in a not so suspicious way so I can fool the wife), let me know.