Sensor Life for Canon EOS 1D Mark II

<p>Hi there,<br>

I have an opportunity to purchase a heavily used 1D Mark II for $1100. Shutters have been replaced and sensor and camera have been serviced/cleaned by Canon Canada. However, I've just been told that the previous owner put through 320,000 clicks before the shutter replacement. I'm not worried about the shutter, but what I am worried about is the sensor itself.<br>

Anyone know what Canon's sensor life is for the 1D Mark II?</p>

<p>Years, as far as I know, and not affected by shots being taken. The sensor is a chip, so its just like any other chip.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>From everything I've heard, as long as it isn't physically damaged, you don't have to worry about the lifespan of the sensor.</p>

<p>Thanks guys! To follow up...</p>

<p>Is a heavily used sensor more prone to hot pixels and dead pixels?</p>

<p>Lower digital rebel models start to pop up these hot/dead pixels over a few years. Is the sensor in the 1 series of higher quality?</p>

<p>The photo sensor is a quite passive part of the camera. The most significant wear and tear occurs when cleaning the sensor, and this has to be done carefully. With pro cleanup, lifetime of the sensor outlasts easily any other part of the camera (e.g. buttons, shutter, connectors etc). I do not think there can be such a thing as a heavily used sensor (other than cleaning that potentially rubs the dust particles so that the surface of the sensor scratches): the sensor is essentially a planar semiconductor device that turns photons hitting the pixels into electrical signals. There is nothing "wearing" in this process pretty much as there is nothing wearing in the electrical parts soldered into your stereo set.</p>

 

<p>Thanks Olli! So do you think it's a good deal then? $1100? $1000 for an even more scuffed up one? Would $900 be a steal/bargain?</p>

<p>There is the prismatic collector lens (a foil) right on top of the sensor and this protects the sensor itself pretty well. So when cleaning you don't actually touch the sensor itself. The collector lens is needed on the CMOS because there is not only the sensor part (say, 60% of surface area) but also the first circuitry (say, 40% of surface area) on the surface. The collector concentrates the light to the sensor part. Please, correct me if I've got it wrong.</p>