> Interesting question, the future of film SLR's. I don't own an > EOS-1V, but to those of you who do, and can envision a successor to > it, what would you change/improve? > > > Ken Durling > > Visit my new easier-to-browse PhotoSIG portfolio: > http://www.photosig.com/browse.php?id=photographer:203 >
The Eos 1V is a good camera and it's the best Canon camera ever produced. But it's still not perfect. I'm not sure if Canon will release another pro film body. I know that for now, most of Canon's R&D resources have been channelled to developing digital cameras. My suggestions for the 1V's successor come after having used 3 Eos 1Vs and two Eos 3s extensively over the years. These improvements can be implemented even in digital cameras. My suggestions for improvements are admittedly evolutionary instead of revolutionary, but I think they are necessary. 1. Enhanced customization of the AF system. The 45 point AF system can be maintained, or Canon could add a few more sensors to cover an even wider area. However, there should be a custom function which would allow users to select the number and position of AF sensors when the camera is in auto focus point selection mode. Currently, when in AFPS, the camera will use all 45 points, which slows down the AF and lowers AF tracking accuracy. How about giving us the option to custom design the AF coverage. I could for instance, just select 9 sensors covering a rectangle area while another user could just select 7 points in a cross configuration. A joy pad control on the rear control dial (like on the Elan 7) is welcome. 2. Improve the low light AF sensitivity. This is the bane of all Eos cameras. Low light focusing still trails behind makes from Nikon and Minolta. Adding an on-camera AF illuminator would be good for times when we want to shoot without flash in low light. 3. Improve speed and accuracy of AI Servo AF tracking. Currently, AF tracking isn't accurate enough. What's the point of firing away at 10fps when the hit rate can't deliver even close to 80% accuracy(depending on the subject)? Improve the AF tracking especially for erratically moving subjects and for both fast and slow subjects. Make all the 45 sensors to be of the cross-sensor type. 4. Implement a dot matrix display like the Maxxum 7 and improved CF control. Canon could learn a thing or two from Minolta's Maxxum/ Dynax 7. The dot matrix display shows a host of very useful info including explaining custom functions. Memorizing the CFs and Personal Functions is a pain. I want to be able to change the Personal Functions in the field and I don't want to lug a PC everywhere with me just to do that. Eos gear is heavy enough as it is. 5. Flash exposure confirmation in the viewfinder. Canon, this is a long-time request from Eos users. Almost every other AF camera has it. Nikon cameras even tell users how many stops the flash exposure was over/under. We have to keep glancing at the pilot lamp on the flash to check if it's ok. 6. Separate controls for mirror lock up. It's tedious having to keep accessing the tiny side-door just to set the mirror lock. A separate external switch would help. Wildlife shooters using tele-lenses often have to switch the mirror lock on and off. 7. Improve the quality of the paint finish. The 1V's smooth black paint coating is fragile. After heavy use, it starts to get worn off and becomes easily scratched and scuffed. The camera then looks very ugly. A more durable, tougher matt finish would be good. (I believe the 1D's matt coating is better) 8. Improve the construction. The magnesium allow covers are very good. But the plastic base of the Eos 1V flexes when a quick release plate is screwed on very tightly. Use metal for the base too. A better glue and method of attachment should be used for all the rubber grips. In Malaysia where there's high humidity and heat, this glue comes off easily and all Eos pros here I know complain that the rubber grips come off the PB-E2/ E1 in less than a year. 9. Provide a battery cum vertical grip that is built to pro standards. The BP-E1 battery grip is too plasticky and lacks vertical controls. It also wobbles slightly on the camera despite full tightening. I have tried three units so I know it's not sample variance. The connection between the grip and camera body needs to be more secure. For times when we don't need a booster, this grip is useful and it takes AA batteries. But make one that works properly Canon. 10. Make it Quieter! Despite the noise reduction mechanisms implemented. The Eos 1V is still a rather noisy camera while the Eos 3 makes an acceptably loud racket. A pro camera as quiet as the Elan 7 would be great, especially for us who shoot wildlife and important corporate functions, concerts, etc. Besides the camera, improvements to the Flash System are necessary. Besides the camera, a successor to the 550EX flash would be great. It should include the following features: 1. Increased Weatherproofing and a more robust construction, including a metal foot and quick release lock (like Nikon's new SB 80DX). The plastic foot is prone to breaking while the screw knob can get jammed. The door of the 550EX's battery compartment becomes very loose after awhile. I have 3 550EX speedlites and they all suffer the same problem. 3. Ability for the flash head to swivel 180degrees both left and right instead of just being able swivel 90 degrees to the right and 180 degrees to the left. The vertical shutter release with the PB-E2 necessitates that the camera will be tilted left for vertical shots, and that's when I find the 90 degree swivel to the right limiting. 4. Make the flash more compact, but with a higher output and a wider flash zoom range: 14mm to 200mm would be great. The inclusion of an Omnibounce diffuser dome would be fantastic. Nikon's SB 80DX comes with such a dome which provides bare bulb lighting effects, diffused light and wider coverage. 5. A small receptor at the back of the flash that will enable E-TTL wireless signals to be read without having to always orientate the forward facing sensor towards the Master flash or ST-E2 transmitter. 6. Simplify the controls. Ever tried setting the flash ratios and wanting to disable the master flash using the 550EX's controls in the heat of shooting? How about having to press two tiny buttons to toggle between FP flash and Second Curtain Sync? There's got to be an easier way! 7. Improve the circuitry and hardware to speed up recycling time and increase the number of shots per set of battries. Compared to Nikon's SB-28, the 550EX is a battery eating demon. 8. Produce a new weatherproof, twin-tubed, full powered hammerhead flash (GN of at least 60) with dedicated battery pack, E-TTL and wireless capability and extreme flash zoom head coverage would be great. For assignments like weddings, wildlife, studio work, etc, the output from the 550EX still isn't enough. With such a high powered, heavy duty flash, photographers can quickly set up their own portable studio light system and perhaps do away with heavy, cumbersome light systems. The 480EG hammerhead is now obsolte and doesn't support E-TTL or wireless flash. These are my thoughts for now. I know Canon monitors these Eos lists - so if you guys have suggestions, keep em coming. Cheers, Jonathan Kwok * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
