I ended up repurchasing a few Canon EF L-lenses to adapt to my mirrorless bodies (A7CR and Leica SL2), and I'm really happy with the results. AF works flawlessly and actually feels faster than I remember when using these lenses on older Canon DSLR bodies.
I also considered adding a Canon film body and decided on the EOS-1N, mainly because of its price. These days, you can find mint ones for around $200, which was hard to resist. I looked at the EOS-3 and 1V too, but they're pricier, especially the 1V. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the EOS-1N is, especially since I often focus at the center and recompose. It has a built-in diopter, pro-level features (rugged build, very solid), and a max shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is way faster than my M-A.
So far, I'm having a blast. Focusing and auto-exposure have been spot-on, even with lenses like the EF 50/1.2L and EF 24/1.4L and they have so much character.
If you have some older EF lenses lying around, this seems like a fantastic way to shoot film today. I still need to develop some of my first rolls, but I will share images once I get a chance. And I have to say, I really love that shutter sound!
Desmolicious wrote:
Focus is spot on at 1.2? Never misses? My F6 is kinda hit or miss at 1.4 with my Sigma Art lenses. (35 and 50), and 85mm 1.8G @ 1.8
Yes, exactly, but I only use the center AF point. (The EOS-1N has 5 horizontal points)
Also, some of my lenses like the EF 50mm f/1.2L have noticeable focus shift, so I mostly use them wide open. If I stop down to around f/2.8, the focus can shift. The EOS 1N, like most film cameras, focuses with the lens wide open, which can lead to misfocus with this lens.
When I adapt the same lens to my Sony A7CR using the Metabones AF adapter, it allows me to autofocus stopped down, which helps a lot with lenses that are prone to focus shift and gives me much more consistent, accurate focus.
I highly recommend the super compact Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM. It uses the classic double Gauss design, gives you that nice classic rendering, and works really well on the 1N. I think I paid around $75 for mine.
Always nice to stumble into a real gem, isn't it? I should try a Canon camera at some point. Never have used one, film or digital.
Desmolicious wrote:
Focus is spot on at 1.2? Never misses? My F6 is kinda hit or miss at 1.4 with my Sigma Art lenses. (35 and 50), and 85mm 1.8G @ 1.8
For what it's worth, I've not experienced AF problems with my F6 and Nikon lenses. 24 f/1.4G, 28 f/1.8G, 35 f/1.4G, 24-70/70-200, etc. I use the 35 f/1.4G a lot for the family/pet stuff and it's been pretty spot on.
Agree that the 1N is awesome. I was lucky enough to buy mine a few years ago when they were half the price they are now.
One thing that sets the 1 series film bodies apart from the consumer EOS bodies is the quality of the viewfinder. They have excellent eye relief and clearly visible exposure information. The consumer grade cameras are prone to have fading exposure information displays that get very difficult to read as the cameras age. For example my EOS 30 has this issue despite being an otherwise excellent camera.
The first 600 series also have excellent viewfinders, perhaps even better than the 1 series. They have slightly higher magnification.
andrewd01 wrote:
Agree that the 1N is awesome. I was lucky enough to buy mine a few years ago when they were half the price they are now.
One thing that sets the 1 series film bodies apart from the consumer EOS bodies is the quality of the viewfinder. They have excellent eye relief and clearly visible exposure information. The consumer grade cameras are prone to have fading exposure information displays that get very difficult to read as the cameras age. For example my EOS 30 has this issue despite being an otherwise excellent camera.
The first 600 series also have excellent viewfinders, perhaps even better than the 1 series. They have slightly higher magnification....Show more →
All of the above, plus one thing that is absolutely crucial for me: built in diopter correction. It's something most people take for granted, but for me it's a must because I wear reading glasses.
Even the more popular Canon EOS 3 doesn't have built in diopter correction the way most later cameras do. The viewfinder is fixed at a set diopter, around -1, and if you need more correction you have to use separate diopter lenses that plug into the eyepiece.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I ended up repurchasing a few Canon EF L-lenses to adapt to my mirrorless bodies (A7CR and Leica SL2), and I'm really happy with the results. AF works flawlessly and actually feels faster than I remember when using these lenses on older Canon DSLR bodies.
I also considered adding a Canon film body and decided on the EOS-1N, mainly because of its price. These days, you can find mint ones for around $200, which was hard to resist. I looked at the EOS-3 and 1V too, but they're pricier, especially the 1V. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the EOS-1N is, especially since I often focus at the center and recompose. It has a built-in diopter, pro-level features (rugged build, very solid), and a max shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is way faster than my M-A.
So far, I'm having a blast. Focusing and auto-exposure have been spot-on, even with lenses like the EF 50/1.2L and EF 24/1.4L and they have so much character.
If you have some older EF lenses lying around, this seems like a fantastic way to shoot film today. I still need to develop some of my first rolls, but I will share images once I get a chance. And I have to say, I really love that shutter sound!...Show more →
Glad you're enjoying it, congrats. I never shot Canon much on film, although it definitely looked good. Yes 1N is the newer version of the pro EOS-1, definitely looked appealing, surprised that they re so inexpensive, i think new more like $2k
Another thing is, it should take the older Sigma etc 3rd party that won't stop down on most Canon digital. 55-200 or 35-135 might not be too interesting (or might be, dependingon what you're doing) 400mm apo macro might be. 14/2.8 or 90-105mm macro might be fairly inexpensive
Fred Miranda wrote:
I ended up repurchasing a few Canon EF L-lenses to adapt to my mirrorless bodies (A7CR and Leica SL2), and I'm really happy with the results. AF works flawlessly and actually feels faster than I remember when using these lenses on older Canon DSLR bodies.
I also considered adding a Canon film body and decided on the EOS-1N, mainly because of its price. These days, you can find mint ones for around $200, which was hard to resist. I looked at the EOS-3 and 1V too, but they're pricier, especially the 1V. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the EOS-1N is, especially since I often focus at the center and recompose. It has a built-in diopter, pro-level features (rugged build, very solid), and a max shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is way faster than my M-A.
So far, I'm having a blast. Focusing and auto-exposure have been spot-on, even with lenses like the EF 50/1.2L and EF 24/1.4L and they have so much character.
If you have some older EF lenses lying around, this seems like a fantastic way to shoot film today. I still need to develop some of my first rolls, but I will share images once I get a chance. And I have to say, I really love that shutter sound!...Show more →
Just planting a thought here:
The Sirui 35mm t1.9 „Ironstar“ 1.5x anamorphic matches the Xpan‘s 45mm horizontal field of view while providing shallower depth of field and of course anamorphic bokeh. It comes in EF mount. The Canon 1N can be equipped with an EC-S focusing Screen optimized for manual focus..
(They’ll also release a 75mm which will match the Xpan 90mm horizontal FOV)
I picked up an EOS-1 about 8 months ago for about $100. The AF is great, and I need a diopter adjustable viewfinder. Coming from both Nikon and Canon digital background - it was my first Canon film body. I was really impressed with how it fit my hand. Think I read an Italian designer is responsible for that or it was the N90S from Nikon? In any case, I can shoot digital and film with the same lenses on both manufacturers (and Pentax 645 as well). Here is one of my first Eos-1 shots.
I still have my 1N I bought new circa '96. I used to sell cameras, the EOS 1N was interesting in that they packed it in the smallest retail box of almost any Canon SLR you could buy new at the time. And instead of the white, red and black boxes with a beveled edge all the other Canon gear was sold in, the box was black with dark gold lettering. Dense, weighty, small/tight.
It seemed like such a luxury having a camera with a backlit LCD top plate. No other contemporary Canon cameras did that. Dunno why Canon was like that.
It's a great body. Good working center point focus. Rugged. The only maintenance I had to perform was to replace the shutter magnet which inexplicably went bad something in the mid-oughties. My 1N has so much personal history I'd never sell it or give it away, except to one of my kids when they get older.
James Markus wrote:
I picked up an EOS-1 about 8 months ago for about $100. The AF is great, and I need a diopter adjustable viewfinder. Coming from both Nikon and Canon digital background - it was my first Canon film body. I was really impressed with how it fit my hand. Think I read an Italian designer is responsible for that or it was the N90S from Nikon? In any case, I can shoot digital and film with the same lenses on both manufacturers (and Pentax 645 as well). Here is one of my first Eos-1 shots.
You are right about the Italian designer, I didn’t know that.
From Google:
The original 1989 Canon EOS-1 (and its predecessor, the T90) was designed by renowned German-Italian industrial designer Luigi Colani, often cited for his "biodynamic" design philosophy. His work on the T90 heavily influenced the ergonomic, contoured look of the EOS-1 series.
1N is a great camera, my favourite film AF body. The only reason you would get a 1V is if you really need the faster AF. The only reason you would get a 3 is...well I don't know, the noise? Plus, the 3 viewfinder is a bit smaller.
Find an Ec-S screen to put on it and you get the best manual-focus autofocus camera.
Also, yes the 50/1.8 STM is an excellent lens. The 50/1.4 has nothing on it, the 50/1.2L has that look wide open or at f/1.4 but that's not really worth the 8x price and size and weight.
andrewd01 wrote:
You are right about the Italian designer, I didn’t know that.
From Google:
The original 1989 Canon EOS-1 (and its predecessor, the T90) was designed by renowned German-Italian industrial designer Luigi Colani, often cited for his "biodynamic" design philosophy. His work on the T90 heavily influenced the ergonomic, contoured look of the EOS-1 series.
Meanwhile, Nikon was using the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro for the 1988 Nikon F4. I suppose the Japanese photo industry recognized the value of Italian designs back then.
Nice camera.
I’ve been shooting 1V for the past 10 years. These are such beautiful cameras to handle and operate. With 50L 1.2 it’s a dream. Modern body designs are so complex, overloaded with features. Using these older cameras is refreshing. This includes even bodies like 5d or 5d ii. Perfection.
1V with the booster was described as like a machine gun. Loudest camera ever! Any of those old film cameras are good if the bodies don't break down. It's crazy they still mnake 2CR5 batteries if you want slow, lighter mode.
EB-1 wrote:
Meanwhile, Nikon was using the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro for the 1988 Nikon F4. I suppose the Japanese photo industry recognized the value of Italian designs back then.
EBH
Giurgiaro also designed the F3, which I think is the most beautiful camera design ever. The F4 wasn’t his best work IMO
andrewd01 wrote:
Giurgiaro also designed the F3, which I think is the most beautiful camera design ever. The F4 wasn’t his best work IMO
I’ve owned a bunch of cameras… but I think the three most beautiful SLRs are the F3, Contax RTS and Leica R4 through R7.
I still have the F3 out of that group.
