How long should a DSLR last?

[Bunny]

I've had my Pentax istD for just over 3 years now. I've taken many thousands of photos with it, all over the world, and am now beginning to notice signs of it aging... the Menu button is quite temperamental and doesn't work every time, the flash no longer pops up and needs pulling up with your fingernail, the viewfinder is very blurry (I think I got some mosquito repellent with deet on it which has corroded the surface) and the sensor is very dusty now.

I know I could clean the sensor (though I'm a bit scared of doing so!) but I'm guessing that to fix the other things would start to cost a lot of money - and is it worth doing so on a camera that's 3 years old?

I'm very tempted to upgrade - but is 3 years a reasonable length of time for a camera to last?!? It doesn't seem that long to me...

 

[Raymond Lin]

It's not about age, its about usage. Yours sound like it's been through some difficult times and had a good life.

oh, and welcome !

 

[Bunny]

Thanks Raymondo! I've been browsing here for a little while but thought I'd take the plunge and actually post too! You all seem like a very friendly lot.

Perhaps I need to post another thread about what I should upgrade to now...

 

[Flash In The Pan]

to TP

Sounds like you're talking yourself into buying a new camera, don't expect anyone here to try and persuade you to do otherwise

 

[ChrisMClark]

I think three years is an admirable length of time to keep one body without feeling the need to upgrade, let alone actually needing to.

It sounds like you've given your camera a beating over the past 3 years, and certainly got your moneys worth from it. I think you've earned a new one!

(Flash did tell you this would happen...)