viper1963's Full Review: Canon EOS-1V Body Only 35mm Film Camera
Ahhhh, the essence of photography! Canon coined this term for the Canon EOS-1V in one of their product brochures. I attended the Photo Marketing Association (PMA)trade show this past February 6, 2000 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. When I got to the Canon booth, I was excited to see the new Canon EOS 1V. Two weeks ago I received my chance to borrow this fine beauty from Canon.
I already own a Canon EOS-1N and have used them quite extensively for my freelance photography business shooting automobiles, portraits and professional sporting events. I generally keep my camera bodies for 3-4 years before I turn them in for newer equipment. My current photographic equipment consists of: Canon EOS-1N (2 bodies), Canon EOS Elan IIE (1 body), Nikon F4S (bought used, rarely used) and a Hasselblad 2000FCW medium format. So why do I keep so many bodies? Pure and simple, I cannot afford to be without my cameras for a long period of time so I always have a back-up just in case!
The Canon EOS-1N has been around for quite some time. Nikon came out with their F100 and Canon sat back watching Nikon kill them in professional sales. Well, now I can see why they were taking their time. Canon’s designers were designing the next generation professional camera with the professional photographer in mind . . . The Canon EOS-1V.
This camera is very sophisticated for the average photographer so I will stick to the awesome details that make this camera a very sound camera for the working professional.
THE GOOD
* The chassis is made up of die cast aluminum and polycarbonate resin. The top and front covers are magnesium alloy. According Canon technical representatives, this offers light-weightness and ‘exceptional strength’.
* Water and dust resistance has improved over the EOS-1N. Seventy-two special seals have been added in critical areas.
* The shutter unit has been rated at well over 150,000 exposures. This test fired the EOS-1v shutter until the shutter unit failed. For you and me, that’s 6250 rolls of 24 exposure film!
* EOS Link Software ES-E1 allows you to use your IBM based computer to allow Personal Function settings. You can even manage important data such as which shutter speeds/aperture settings you used to make the exposure!
* Forty-five (45) zone focusing system with seven (7) vertical focusing detection sensors to provide critical sharp photos.
* Up to 9 frames per second with optional Power Drive E-2 installed. Theoretically, you can blow off a 36 exposure roll in four seconds! WOW! That’s fast enough to catch Bruce Lee’s famous side kick!
* Twenty Custom Functions settings to allow photographers to choose certain features depending upon personal choice. With the optional EOS Link ES-E1, another 30 custom functions are available!
THE BAD
I wouldn’t recommend this camera for the average photographer unless he/she is thoroughly knowledgeable of photography. Although a novice photographer can take exceptionally good photographs using the EOS-1v by using the program modes, it defeats the purpose of this fine camera. It’s like going out and buying a Ferrari when a Chevrolet will do.
Currently, only IBM software is available for the EOS Link ES-E1. As of this writing, Canon tells me there are no plans for Mac compatibles . . . yet. Stay tuned this may change in the short term future.
THE UGLY
I borrowed this camera to shoot motorcycle racing in the desert to scenic photos in the Hawaiian islands. The camera took a pounding in the desert and was covered with dust by the end of the day. While in Hawaii, it was exposed to small showers and an occasional ocean spray and sand. I figured this was a good test to see if those 72 points of entry would take a shower . . . and amazingly it did not fail! I tried that with my EOS-1N and it cost me $400 to repair!
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