A new addition to the celebrated Canon EOS System incorporating several significant innovations in durability, performance and cusomization targeted at professional photographers.
Strengths: built solid, professional looks, and easy to view the viewfinder with glasses on.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
It is the stuff dreams are made of, and more. For years I used several Canon F-1n and T-90s, as well as EOS-3 and Elan-7. But always wondered what it would be like to own a 1V.
When I won a mint EOS-1V on ebay my wondering was over. It is great time machine, capturing those fleeing moments in life on film, that somehow has a different feel to them compared to digital SLRs I own.
Maybe it is the confidence that comes with knowing that I have the best film cameras Canon ever produced in my hands that makes that little difference in my images or the fact that I take my time to create the image before taking the shot as opposed to creating one in photoshop after the fact. In any case, it has replaced the trusted T-90 as my carry along candid image camera and combined with a EF 28-135 IS lens, I am rediscovering my love for photography once again.
Sure I still pull out my old T-90 and 85 1.2 L lens or 135 2.0 lens to create those magical portraits, but all in all the 1V is used for everything else.
Let's face it getting minty 1V for $300 makes it a great value. Compared to the current Canon digital flagship cost, you cannot go wrong.
I hope that if you have a chance to pick up one of these beauties for a good price that you take the chance and try it out for your self like I did and discover just simple it is to use and how much fun it is to own.
I bought this camera in mint condition off a friend who ran 27 rolls through it befroe he upgraded to a 1D-S. I had always wanted one and I was not sissappointed at all.
The build quality is that of a tank and yet it feels like a smooth extension of your hand. While some may criticize the weight, for this sort of camera, it is what I would expect. you have to come prepared when you want to use it.
Surprisingly, it's simple to use and fairly intuitive. I stepped up from a EOS 300 and they share much of the same interface except you have much more functionality and the focusing is extremely fast.
Custom functions need only be set once - you won't need to change them again.
This (I believe) is the only film camera Canon makes now. It is pricey new but the upgrade to digital means that at second hand, you will pay a much cheaper price than what I paid for it. You will not regret it. I have taken it all over the world and enjoyed every minute with it.
Strengths: The strengths for me are speed, ease of use (no more or less complicated than any other camera) from the 1st time you pick it up. The information and controls are laid out perfectly and the feel and sound screams solid build. The sealing and feel is first rate.
Weaknesses: If I had to pick one and I am forced to do this I would have to say the weight can be a bit much for some.
Bottom Line:
The Canon 1V HS is for me on of the last great film camera bodies. The quality of build is amazing and the function of this camera is unrivaled by none.
There is no "perfect" camera that allows you to shoot anything you want at any time but for me this camera comes the closest. If you couple the 1V HS with "L" series lenses you have a world class outfit. You can shoot fine art to weddings. Sports to portraits.
If you want a camera that will allow the most shooting diversity I would highly recommend that 1v HS. Film is not dead, far from it and now you can get a $2800.00 camera for under $800.00!
Weaknesses: menu structure is hard to get around
To me the body is a little big, and it doesn't quite fit in my hand nicely, but its more of a personal weakness than a product weakness
Bottom Line:
The company I work for shooting youth sporting events has this camera, and I have been using it for a few months.
The AF is very fast, and the build quality is fantastic. Some of the bodies we use have a cracked LCD screen on the top, and other parts banged up (the bodies they have have been used & abused) and they still work like a charm. The images we get from this body are fantastic.
Any piece of equipment that has been abused for as long as the cameras at the place I work for, and still work is a testament to the quality of the product.
Strengths: The entire design is strength. Speed. Resistance to the elements. Quality. Accuracy. More 'good' shots per roll; and that's what pays the bills...
I love the 'safety shift' function. That function alone makes this a worth-while investment for any pro who relies on getting the shot at all costs.
I was surprised when I contacted Canon regarding the suggested operating temperatures for the 1v. "There are none" was the simple, and unbelieveable answer I received. I do suggest (as Canon does) that you run the NiMh battery in extreme cold. This also affords a 10 FPS shooting speed. Think about that for a second- that is 1/10 second interval frames, virtually a movie! It brings new dimension to action sequenses, just be careful; as you will burn through a 36 exposure roll in under four secdonds... (when I first test-fired the camera with the NiMh battery at ultra-high speed advance, I laughed out loud at how fast that shutter tripped!) This is still the worlds fastest FPS count available in an SLR camera. Don't even TRY to touch that with even the latest Digital offerings...
1/8000 maximum shutter speed... I have no need for ND filters any longer.
1/3 stop exposure control (switchable to 1/2 or 1 stop)... Perfect exposure every time.
Is it heavy? Yes it is. But it balances nicely with the faster, heavier L glass I use. More mass makes it more stable, and virtually every surface has grippy rubber on it for those awkward gripping situations. I'm also used to the F-1 with the motor drive and a pile of AA batteries in it, so... The 1v feels like QUALITY in the hand.
The software package available for the 1v is outstanding. it remembers all your shooting settings, so you can loose the log book. Attach thumbnails in the computer, and you have a brilliant archive system.
Weaknesses: The control layout could be more intuitive, as was mentioned in another review; however to Canon's credit, they managed to pack a boat-load of features in a few carefully placed buttons, rather than cluttering up the camera with all kinds of buttons and knobs. (most of the wheel and button functions can be re-arranged through the custom functions) less buttons means less places for water and dust to enter the camera...
The rear control wheel; however I typically have it turned 'off'. If it is left on, you can inadvertantly over or under expose a shot/roll. The wheel control switch is convenient and easy to get to, but not easy to 'accidentially' move, which is nice. In manual mode, this wheel controls the aperature, and the main wheel controls the shutter speed. All data is visible in the 100% viewfinder, so you don't ever have to remove your eye to see what's going on, and possibly miss a shot.
On the HS model (1v with power booster installed- as I use it) the switch for the secondary shutter release (when held vertically) can sometimes get shut off accidentially. I have a piece of gaffers tape on it to keep it in place.
I was the last hold-out on manual focus (Canon's legendary FD system), but I have to say, I'm a convert, and I'm never looking back!
Bottom Line:
WOW.
That sums it up. This is by far the best film camera (for 35mm format) ever made. I have been a photographer for over 20 years, starting in school with B&W processing up to today doing article photos for magazines (and a lot of crazy stuff in-between). I have always used Canon products, as I felt they always gave the most for the money; however Canon really out-did themselves this time.
Some say film is dead, I say try using ANY digital camera in -40 degree weather (or colder for that matter). It won't work. My trusty F-1 won't work (unless all the lubricant is removed); I have sold my last F-1 body- and for anyone who has used this classic work-horse camera before [the F-1], you know just how good that body was...
Case in point- pouring rain: I used the EOS-1v and my 24-70 2.8L with no moisture problems. other photographers at that event were cowering in their cars, under umbrellas- MISSING THE SHOTS. I got it all, and had no problems with either the lens or camera. Absolutely outstanding. When I did get into the shelter, everyone was concerned for my gear but me. I knew it wouldn't let me down, and it didn't.
I specialize in radical photography; Climbing mountains, freezing Canadian winters, crossing the North African desert... I go where other photographers fear to tread, and I now go there with my EOS-1v.
Even if I do switch to digital (and I honestly do loathe scanning negatives for hours on end), there will always be a place in my gear collection for this camera.
I currently run with two EOS1-v HS bodies (ALWAYS have a back-up); I may never need a third...
