Eye Control Focus Feel/Handling Quality Intuitive controls

Only thing I would wish for would be a built in flash.

I bought this camera as an impulse purchase a little over a year ago, but rarely used it because I also have an EOS A2 that I preferred to take on trips, because of its built in flash. This year, however, I decided to take both cameras with me on a two week vacation to Europe, and I quickly rediscovered why I bought the EOS 3. The eye-controlled autofocus is fast and quiet (at times I found myself double-checking the focus because I didn’t realize that it had focused so quickly and quietly). The area covered by the 45 focus points is broad enough for creative composition. The overall feel of the camera is excellent. It's light enough to carry with while walking and sight-seeing all day, yet it feels sturdy and professional.

Customer Service

Haven't had a reason to use them.

Similar Products Used:

EOS A2 EOS Elan II EOS Rebel EOS 630

more weather proof than 5, ease of use, metering paterns, d.o.f. button, quik auto focus, view finder info, loads of C.F.s

shutter is very noisy, unlike 5s, 1 or 4.3 frames m.d. should have been 1,3 & 5

I like the feel of the eos 3, easy to use & very capable. However i think Canon should have matched the eos 5's motor drive & quietness bit of a step back here! Other than that no major complaints, besides i got a good deal when i bought it, included Canon 1.4x tele-con

Customer Service

not yet.

Similar Products Used:

eos 5, eos 1000fn, AV-1 in the early days.

1. Feel / Balance. 2. Build Quality. 3. Focus tracking.

1. Noisy Shutter / wind. 2. Fiddly on/off switch.

I've had this camera for just over a year and absolutely love it. The exposure is spot on and the camera feels just right in my hands. I mainly use it with the 28-135 IS lens which works well with it. The camera is not light but not too heavy either; certainly not like a 1V with a decent lens on it. I find the ECF Ok and the focus tracking superb. I prefer the shape of the 1V (especially having used a T90 for 10+ years) but all things considered the EOS 3 has so far proved a sound buy for me and does more than I ever really need.

Similar Products Used:

Canon T70, T90 Canon EOS 5, EOS 30

Motor drive and AF is silent like a cat's pounce. Eye control focus which is fast. Linked spot metering with ECF. I'm also shooting sports so this camera will definitely fit the bill.

none

I've been shooting on my own for fun well over ten years since I was 12. now I'm finally working for a local newspaper and the idea of missing the moment from when your eyes react to the scene is unacceptable in the field of photojournalism. The timing is absolutely crucial, and this camera, like no other, has delivered some accurate split-second images since that's what counts in photojournalism. Moreover the eye controlled focus on the camera coupled with the linked spot metering in aperture priority mode is on the money!!! I've taken this camera on 3 assignments and some portraits within a couple of days and it performs flawlessly. This is a must have for all photojournalists this camera is a life-saver. For example I took a shot of a traveling theater group who did their show at 10:30pm and the stage lighting was just horrendous. I wound up hand holding my new eos 3 steadily at 1-1/6th of a second at f4.5 and 95% of those shots were without blur and where properly exposed. NOW THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL CRITCAL TIMING AND ACCURACY. Another point to mention is the calibration of the ECF. You can set it to up to three times for different camera orientations. There are so many features on this camera that are worth mentioning that only a pro could love. This camera is really not meant for those that aren't gadget friendly. If you have problems programming your vcr don't buy this camera,

Similar Products Used:

nikon 8008 nikon f100 nikon n90

Rugged construction Eye control Bright viewfinder Multi spot metering

Side compartment door subject to accidental opening.

Arguably the best camera value available today, the EOS-3 has impressed me since I first pulled it from the box. Note that Canon currently has a $75 rebate running, which I took advantage of. The ergonomic feel is excellent -- an natural extension of my hand. With the battery pack added, my index finger has a nice place to rest. However, I can't imagine why the battery pack does not add a vertical shutter release. Even the lowly Rebel 2000's battery pack does that! I was quite surprised by the eye control feature. I wear glasses, and they're bifocals no less. I have calibrated about four times in varying light conditions. Yet I find it quite accurate for me, and about half of the shots I take are made this way. The shutter and mirror slap is a bit loud, but I have shot two weddings with it now and did not find it to be an issue. My medium format Bronica ETRSi makes about the same amount of noise. I don't know about frightening wildlife as I haven't used it in this manner yet. The viewfinder is bright, especially with fast glass mounted. Camera setting information and status indicators are neatly and logically arranged within the viewfinder, and easy to see despite the fact that I wear eyeglasses. I have managed to inadvertantly open the "secret" door on the side several times. Slightly annoying, but no harm done. I am very satisfied with expsoure metering accuracy. I had read elsewhere that the EOS-3 tended to underexpose, so I compensated +2/3 stop for my first wedding. Guess what? The negs were overexposed 2/3 stop. Of course, this did not harm (and probably helped) since it's print film, but it did prove to me that the metering was accurate. I am especially fond of the multi spot metering, in which the photographer can spot meter up to eight locations in the viewfinder. I'm wondering how I lived without it! Flash usage has proven similarly accurate in exposures. I use the 540EZ rather than the 550EX. Again I had read of underexposure, and again I compensated the flash +2/3. Deja vu. These shots were also overexposed, demonstrating again that the metering is exposing correctly with no compensation required. I also did not experience the problem of the AF sensors being off-centered in the AF ellipse in the viewfinder. Overall build quality is excellent, and I'm glad to see it's made in Japan. I recommend the EOS-3 without res

Customer Service

Have never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan II Canon Rebel 2000 Nikon N80 Nikon 8008s

beautiful ergonomics, especially QCD vertical scale in finder eye control ultrasonic lenses IS lenses (although Nikon's got these now) safety shift (This is big!) mirror lock (although clumsy procedure)

manual battery check unintuitive manual focus point selection lack of shooting mode, flash confirmation, and metering mode in finder burdensome palm door Nikon's F100 is more intuitive and intelligent design cost of lenses compared to Nikkor rapid decrease in value ($1399 to $890) compared to F100 ($1299 to 999)

The ergonomics of Canon cameras has become the industry standard since the EOS 1, and deservedly so. Thankfully, The EOS 3 continues some of the notable strengths of the line, but alas, it seems that Nikon's F100 has surpassed Canon. Read on! The EOS 3's Quick Control Dial performs flawlessly, and dials in significant exposure changes yet more rapidly than Nikon's F100 (even with Nikon's Easy Exposure Compensation function enabled). The ECF seems to perform very well for the general populace, provided ample recalibration is done for varied light levels, but I am of the eyeglass wearing minority, and I do struggle with the accuracy of point selection. Yes, broadening the focusing point via custom functions helps. Certainly the flexibility of this large elliptical focusing area is a great strength. Additionally, the vertical exposure scale on the EOS high end cameras is beautiful, as is the inclusion of flash compensation. This is the better analog scale between Nikon and Canon. Here's the rub. Nikon's F100 has overtaken Canon in some significant regards. On the EOS 3, every time I want to change the metering system or shooting mode, down from the eye comes the camera so that the change can be viewed on the LCD. In contrast, the F100 allows all--read it--all critical input with the camera at eye level. With the EOS 3, either I resort to frequently recalibrating the ECF or to the much more cumbersome and anti-intuitive dial selection. With the recent Nikon cameras, yes, I only have five points from which to choose, but that selection is intuitive, and darn near instantaneous. (Frankly, I don't know how Canon can easily fix this; we're blessed with 45 focusing points, but cursed with the concomitant selection process. It's kind of like choosing a mate from 3 or from 30.) Furthermore, not one single focusing point on the EOS 3 is crossed for any lenses of f5.6; the F100 has three that are. Look at your ability to quickly change custom functions. Canon's palm door and tiny CF button pales next to Nikon's openly available selector. Need to change metering mode? On the F100, reach up with a single finger, depress, and turn--all with the camera at eye level! Canon's: take camera away from your eye, push the metering button with one finger, turn a dial with another, and watch the LCD panel; press the illumination button if this is performed at night. This

Customer Service

no experience yet!

Similar Products Used:

F100, N90s EOS Rebel, 1NRS, 1N

Advanced electronics. Fast focus and accurate meters. Light and Weather proof. Quiet AF CANON lens.

Wish it could be smaller. Could CANON add extra focus stuff, it is a pain to hand focus AF lens.

For me, EOS3 is a top choice for travel with slide films. It''''s 1/3 step and lightmeter make it my first choice for my slide film. The success rate of slide exposure from this camera is >95% to me for most of occasions so far. Mine don''''t have under exposure problem from day one. Also it''''s light compared to other top camera body and therefore you can carry it whole day. Weather resist is very nice indeed. For street pictures, eye control focus is very useful. I took lots of street people using eye focus. Because it is so fast, people won''''t realize and be nervous seeing a camera is heading to them. That''''s why I use AF camera in certain occasions, it is for fast grab pictures

Customer Service

No need so far

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manual focus CONTAX (nice for landscape/portait)

Fantastic heft and feel. Not too light and not too heavy. ECF Metering system which is fantastic To me it''s just beautiful. A technological marvel I love the sound of the shutter!! Shutter tested by a French (d*** craven Synagogue burning frogs!!) magazine to failure which didn''t occur till over 450,000 shutter releases. This new shutter technology may be loud, but it WILL last you till film is finally retired.

Heck, none that concern me with the possible exception of a possible exposure error not yet verified with slides. If there''s a problem I''ll just send it to Canon for a fix!

Well, well, well. This plasticy, underexposing, gimmicky contraption has finally landed in my hands as the lead camera in a two camera duo including the A2 which I also love. I''ve not had any experience with the Nikon line other than handling them in the camera store and they feel great!! Especially the F5 and the F100. BUT, I do love this camera. Everything about it. The ECF may not work absolutely flawlessly, yet, but in those circumstances which tax the limits of this system I can just turn it off!! Yes, my camera does underexpose slightly, according to the meter, BUT my slides have not borne this out. Haven''t pushed enough film through yet to be absolutely certain, but if it is off a bit I''ll just spend $7.50 and send it back to Canon. They assured me I''d have it back within 10 working days. So far with slides the exposure has been spot on. The only exposure snafus have resulted in focusing on spot that are too bright (i.e. dogwood leaves on a dark day). I think these splashes of white would have fooled any meter. I''ve summarized several articles I''ve read about the EOS 3 and the technical overview brochure for you below. Hope this helps! EOS 3 AUTOMATIC FOCUS When using ECF in AI Servo, the initial focusing point selected by eye remains active during continuous focusing. However, once the focus point is selected, you are unable to select other focusing points by eye to track the subject across the viewfinder while the shutter button is pressed halfway. The initial focus points remains locked, so if the subject moves out of that AF point''s coverage, you will be unable to track the subject even if you looked at another AF point. In order to change focus points, you have to let go of the shutter button and run the entire ECF sequence again. Automatic Focusing Point Selection (AFPS) In Automatic Focusing Point Selection (AFPS) mode, the camera chooses the appropriate AF point for subjects within the ellipse. The camera will always select the nearest object or the object with the highest contrast. When using AFPS, the camera will always choose from 45-points, even with CF 13-1 activated. Using CF 13-1 will only reduce the number of focusing points to 11 when you use manual selection or ECF. AFPS is particularly useful with AI Servo AF when the subject is moving erratically. When using AFPS in AI Servo mode, first cover your subject

Customer Service

Fairly helpful. They of course refused to acknowledge any underexposure problem. They also refused still to admit an A2 control dial problem. My repair shop says they have over 30 control dial fixes e

Similar Products Used:

A2, 650

The excellent 550 EX Build quality Weather sealed, no problems with heat, sand or water (rain) so far. Spot metering, linked to 11 focus points (CF 13) Perfect meter -Produces great slides Mid roll change and IR sprocket counting means you pick up eactly where you left off (CF-2). CF-4, switching focus to rear button is essential for tracking and locking subjects with servo focus. For me, a perfect and logical layout. Very easy and quick to use, considerably lighter than any of the EOS1 models and (IMHO) just as good. Blazing AF, especially with fast glass (F2.8) Canon lenses Holds value

Stupid side door for accessing custom functions Eye control focus (doesn''t work for me, but do not miss it) If you leave the battery in when you don''t use it, it will eat it ! Loud mirror slap (unlike 30)

550 EX Speedlite was the main reason I got the EOS3. Canon had a deal on that you got a free 550EX with the body. Worked out about £100 more than EOS 30 + 550 EX, so no brainer. The 3 is a much better camera in all respects (IMHO) and more functions than most will ever need. Put 30 rolls through the 3 so far and taken it across the outback of Australia and some nice sandy beaches. Survived my nephew picking it up and dropping it and a tripod falling over. If you want a canon camera that you can grow with and that will last you till the last day of film production, look no further. If I could do it again, I would buy the 3 even without the free 550 EX for the same money.

Customer Service

Thankfully not had to use them.

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Borrowed EOS 1, 1N and 5 EOS 30, 300, 500 and old 650 Canon 200 2.8L excellent lens 50 1.4 USM - very sharp 28 2.8 - sharp for the money 28-70 3.5 - 4.5 II - sharpest canon zoom under £600, would

*Eye Controlled Focus. *Pro Built Body.

NONE!

This camera is absolutely perfect! I love it, the Eye Controlled Focus is perfect, it works great for me. The AF is as fast as I have ever used. It is a pro body and shows it, it is built strong and can withstand water and and dust. It fits perfectly in my hand. It has a loud shutter slap but its no big deal.

Customer Service

Not used, used on previous occasions and were great!

Similar Products Used:

Canon 7E, Canon 1N, Canon Rebel 2000, Nikon F100, Nikon F5