Pros: Latest technology, speed, durability, reliability, work under the most extreme conditions, and PC connection.
Cons: Pricey, more custom functions, more to remember if you need to use them.
The Bottom Line: With a camera that is built so well and addresses most of my complaints on the EOS-3, what else do I need? Yeah, another EOS-1V body!!!
anthwo's Full Review: Canon EOS-1V Body Only 35mm Film Camera
INTRODUCTION
The EOS-1V is Canon’s answer to my wish list for the EOS-3, which I have earlier written a review on. This latest flagship from Canon has everything that I wanted for my EOS-3. It also addresses the many shortcomings of the EOS-3, some of which I will briefly touch on in this review. I am even more impressed with the EOS-1V’s durability and ruggedness when compared with the EOS-3, it’s just no match. For me, upgrading from an EOS-3 to an EOS-1V is like going from a Mercedes to a Rolls Royce – well, I haven’t actually tried a Rolls yet for obvious reasons but the sheer price difference and the looks of it is sufficient to give me an unnaturally high feeling – but at least I can still afford the EOS-1V.
CONSTRUCTION
While I was quite impressed with the EOS-3 shutter durability of more than 400,000 tested operations (according to one magazine test) even though the official shutter life is 100,000 according to Canon. So, I have no doubt that my EOS-1V can do even better, in spite of an officially published shutter life of only 150,000 operations. Shutter durability is not so important if your income does not depend on it, because in normal operation, most people would probably not exceed the published shutter operations of 100,000 or even 150,000 operations for ages, let alone the thought of taking 150,000 photographs in your entire lifetime! But it is quite common for professional photographers to exceed 350,000 shots within 2 years if they travel extensively for an article or a book, or have many clients. It is important to service the camera to keep it working, but sometimes pros don’t have the luxury of time and their livelihood depends on it. Imagine missing that all too important shot just when you need it, and the shutter fails on you – disaster! That opportunity may never come again! I hope some independent test authority will test the EOS-1V shutter to destruction just as they did with the EOS-3, I need to know how long it will really last under real world conditions.
My many good impressions with the EOS-1V include the use of exotic metals (magnesium alloy) and die-cast aluminum alloy for construction of most of the camera body and frames, the high degree of weather-resistant sealing used in the camera body, and the sheer ruggedness and power that comes from this camera. It gives me the confidence and trust that I need especially when facing a difficult assignment. While it is very well constructed and sealed for extremely onerous weather and ambient temperature conditions, Canon was quick to emphasize that the camera is NOT made for underwater photography. No professional SLR camera is!
The shutter operations seem to be quieter than the EOS-3, even in high speed mode with the optional PB-E2 power winder attached. The greatest improvement in this respect is the noticeable lack of vibrations from the shutter / mirror operations. Wow! I can now take photographs without that loud mirror slap and vibrations. This is very important not only for close-up macro photography, but for other situations such as a solemn ceremony (where the noise from the EOS-3 would cause me some psychological discomfort). However I still carry the EOS-3 as a back-up camera while the EOS-1V is the main workhorse, but I doubt there will be any use or need for the EOS-3 from now on – habits die hard.
FEATURES
The many features and capabilities of the EOS-1V that I find very attractive in my decision to upgrade to the EOS-1V include the following:
• It has more powerful RISC computer operating up to 33MHz, whilst the EOS-3 uses 25MHz processors. This “blink of an eye” speed allows the camera to operate correctly by the time you fire the shutter release, for example, intensive functions like autofocus operation and exposure calculations.
• Ergonomically well designed and fits naturally and comfortably in the hands. Most important camera functions are easy to access while hand-holding the camera, via the conveniently positioned control dial and thumb wheel, and buttons on the left side. Migrating from a previous EOS model to the EOS-1V is a smooth transition.
• Autofocus is very fast and precise, even in very low light. Manual selection of focusing point is also possible and quick using the wheel (there are 45 points). Or if you prefer, just set the central AF point as default.
• Several metering modes to choose from, such as the 21-zone evaluative, centre-weighted metering, spot metering (8.5%, 2.4%), spot metering linked to focus point, multi-spot metering. I found that the 21-zone evaluative metering to be accurate for most situations.
• PC connectivity. The camera can imprint an ID on each negative frame, and store exposure details for that frame on the camera that can be retrieved with a computer, and you can correlate the information to the film ID.
• 20 custom functions to customize the camera operation and controls to your personal preferences. The EOS-3 only had 18. For example, if you want to transfer the shutter release to the AE lock button, you can do it via the custom function, so that you can AF using the shutter release and fire the shutter using the AE lock button at the back, operated by your thumb.
• 30 personal functions that can only be accessed via the EOS link software and the PC connection. This permits even more changes to suit your personal preferences. For example, you can now control the shutter release time lag via personal function 26.
• The LCD display has a blue backlight operation when it’s dark. LCD information is clear and uncluttered
• The viewfinder is very friendly to eyeglass wearers like myself. The eye relief is even better than the EOS-3, and offers 100% image view, unlike the EOS-3 with only 97%. There is even a built-in diopter adjustment (which the EOS-3 lacks) for shooting without eyeglasses. It also has a built in viewfinder shutter which the EOS-3 lacks.
• It does not have the Eye-controlled Focus (ECF) system of the EOS-3, but who needs one when it is so slow and unreliable?
• Attach a PB-E2 power winder and you can shoot at 9 frames per second in AF mode. That means burning a roll of 36 in 4 seconds – you cannot miss anything at that speed! The PB-E2 also duplicates main camera controls and allow easier shooting in vertical format.
• It works very well with the 550EX flash unit. The camera can be used to control multiple flashes using wireless control. These flash units can function as master, independent or slave units and have lots of great features including their own custom functions. In a multiple flash setup, several 550EX can be fired to give accurate exposure, and even their output ratios are adjustable. This is a very cool feature!
• Canon's published figures for the camera's reliable working temperatures are from a hot 45˚C to bone chilling -20˚C. Wow! Even the human body cannot last under these extremes! And this information has been confirmed by hard working professional photographers who had to go through these conditions.
DISADVANTAGES
Frankly, I cannot think of any, so I will just pick on two points just to be fair. The camera body does not have a built-in AF assist emitter, so if you need to shoot in the dark, you better have an accessory flash unit with the emitter such as the 550EX.
Finally, with so many custom functions, why does Canon not bother to find an easier way to remind us what each function number is for? For example, they could have easily included this information in the LCD (or slightly larger LCD), but no! They wanted you to carry around an instruction manual with all the needed information!
Featuring a weather-resistant, all-metal body, the Canon EOS-1v offers the fastest continuous shooting speed in its class at 10 frames per second (fps...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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