Description: The (former) top-of-the-line EOS camera. The AF sensor is four times more sensitive than the BASIS sensor used in the EOS 650, the first EOS camera. It can autofocus even in EV -1. Also, the EOS-1's cross-type BASIS sensor was developed to enable focusing of horizontally-lined subjects.
This AF sensor and the predictive AI Servo AF mode are outstanding. The camera also has a variety of metering modes: 5.8% partial metering with an 8mm-diameter circle at the center, 2.3% fine spot metering, centerweighted averaging metering with 6 zones, and 6-zone evaluative metering. High precision, high reliability, and durability characterized this camera.
Summary: Must remember this camera is the best part of 15 years old in these reviews however when compared to modern slr's it just blows them away especially if you consider the prices they are currenttly going for and the build quality and feel in the hand, if you are intending to take photography seriously buy one of these to cut your teeth on you won't regret it.
I will not part with this camera now I have it, I coveted it in the early nineties when I was using my Eos 620 (which cost twice as much as the Eos1 when purchased 16 years ago) and it has not dissappointed, digital photography is here to stay and it really has taken a lot of skill away and made a lot easier taking that once in a life time photo, digital photograthy is a must for pro's but if you take that once in a lifetime photo on this then you are a pro's pro.
Don't buy an ex-pro body if you can help it.
Strengths: Ergonomics, feel especially with the PB-E1 fitted, range of lenses available from independants manufacturers the Tamron 24-135 Anniversary really is worth every penny of the £300 + price tag, build quality I'm confident you could hit your subject over the head with it and take a photo while they were unconcious (not a recommendation). The opportunity to learn before taking the easier option (digital).
Weaknesses: None, alright it can be a bit noisy with the PB-E1 fitted.
Similar Products Used: Canon T80, EOS 620, EOS 1N, EOS D60, EOS1D
Customer Service: Contacted several times via email etc (no reply), go back to your retailer or go to an independant reputable camera/lense repair shop if needed.
Summary: I use this wonderfull machine still as a pro photographer,although noisy compared to digital cams as (d10 and d1 ) this pearl still delivers fantastic pics in conjunction with Canon 135 2,0 L and the Canon 85 1,8 and a EX 550 flash,and of course my Fuji reala 100 film into the house...gosh! wau what results you get?!! it cant be beat..as well as sports(soccer..tennis ...eq..) all my clients Love the prints this Wonderfull machine makes ! absolutely stunning and up to standard of 2005/06 i mean..buy this machine used and its better than the semi pro SLRS youll have to pay more for..
Strengths: all....fast fast with usm...good for sports and events...(i use the ultra silent eos 100 for weddings)...and strong and focus is perfect and ..the list goes on..its a BRANDHACKER!!
Weaknesses: nope ..theres almost none...weight perhaps? LOL
Summary: This camera is fast. The autofocus is way ahead of its time. Its build is superb and when combined with the PB-E1, it feels almost unbreakable (which i know when at a pro soccer game a player knocked into me through the boards and the camera and I took a hard fall) The controls are easy to understand and are basically the same on today's top-of-the-line digital SLR's. This was definately the camera that changed the world.
Strengths: build quality
fast AF (especially in sports)
5.5 frames is perfect for sports. Why would you want to burn through a roll in 3 seconds using the 1V's 10 fps?
easy layout of controls
Its a Canon - AF, lenses, flash system is good, 95% of sports photographers use canon for good reason
Weaknesses: Some complain that the Custom functions door is annoying, but at a sporting event you have all your custom functions preset and probably using manual mode anyway, so you dont have time to mess with the door
Similar Products Used: Nikon F90 (N90 US) - not bad
Nikon N80 - slow AF, plastic
Customer Service: Never needed it, but wouldn't be worried to use it if needed
Summary: I the EOS1 very recently (Sept04) because I wanted a replacement for my EOS10 which was button compatible with my 1DS and didn`t want to spend the earth but also wanted proper selectable metering with spot, a cord remote, AA battery option (Excellent though the EOS-10 is, it chews batteries and there`s no grip options) and more heft. I don`t need the powerwinder but it would have been nice if the battery grip BP-E1 had a vertical shutter release though.
The Build feels like stainless steel covered in the sort of unbreakable plastic I reckon modern guns are made of and I`ve seen a lot of EOS1s and yet to see a cracked one, so who needs the Alloy body of the 1V? .. It`s 1-point AF but as I only use mainly 1 point on the 1DS and the EOS-10, so what, the AF is fast and accurate though it would have been nice to have a square light up in the viewfinder for low light accurate focussing. Noise wise, it reminds me of the Powerwinder equipped Paparazzi Nikons of old ;-) but I`d not want to shoot a wedding and have the Roll rewind during the ceremony, it makes a right Racket! ..
The results are as good as 35mm gets with excellent metering, superb focussing and the only advantage I can see to the 1N or 1V are the extra custom functions, these old original EOS1s are a total bargain at todays prices but be careful, a lot of them have been thrashed by PJs so may be worn internally also - go by cosmetic condition (Minters are rare but there are nice ones out there) and don`t pay more than £250 for a body only unless it IS a minter as there are plenty about to choose from.
Strengths: It`s a 1-series so has sensitive accurate AF, tough build (despite being plastic covered), interface is very close to the modern 1V and 1D series so easy to switch from one to the other - Viewscreens compatible, powerdrive and battery pack options the same as the latest 1V/3 series also - incredible value thesedays, I`d take one over anything bar a 1V in modern Film SLRs - doesn`t fog IR film..
Weaknesses: 1-point AF means no square lighting up in the viewfinder which can be a pain in low light for pinpoint AF - BP-E1 grip doesn`t have a vertical shutter release - no FEL - very noisy film rewind ..
Similar Products Used: EOS-1D, 1DS, 1V-HS - EOS-10, EOS-3, EOS-30
Customer Service: Canon won`t repair older stuff like this but luckily Lehmanns and Fixation will
Summary: EOS-1 is a superb camera, a giant leap for it's time. Superb in handling, gripping and control. Few buttons mean less complicated. Rarely used button was hidden behind a palm door, a very clever trick. Add an PB-E1, and it feels more comfortable in vertical shot. Everything you need in a professional demand is all in EOS-1. I might think to sell it, but I think am gonna have it for a year or so, at least until I can get 1V.
Strengths: Built quality, gripping
Accurate metering
Fast autofocus
Bright viewfinder
Weaknesses: LOUD .. this camera is a damn loud.
Don't ever think to rewind the film in the middle of the ceremonial event.
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5 of 5
