Canon EOS-3 ... to upgrade or not to upgrade...

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I am thinking of upgrading to the Canon EOS-3 (I have an A2 now). The eye controlled focus and numerous other new and improved features (including wireless flash capability) really have my attention. If there are any users of the EOS-3 who have upgraded from previous Canon EOS models, please let me know what you think about the EOS-3. I love new technology and this one is like a bug bite!

Thx!

-- Susan Butler (sbutler2@ameritech.net), April 13, 2001

Answers

The 3 is a fine camera, but unless it actually has some feature you really NEED, why upgrade (unless money isn't an issue). The fact that it can do wireless flash with the 550EX doesn't matter unless you actually need to use wireless flash and have a the speedlites to do it.

The 45 ECF points are a bit of a gimmick for me. Most of the time I have ECF turned off anyway.

The main reason I "upgraded" was that I wanted AF with my 500/4.5L and a 1.4x TC, which the 3 gives me. Other than that the bells and whistles are nice but certainly not essential.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), April 14, 2001.


Bob makes an important point. There should be a reason to upgrade, unless money is no object. The price of the EOS 3 is great right now, especially after a $75 Canon rebate, so I am about to buy one. Why? Autofocus at f8. There are other nice features that I may use, but none that I really need, that I don't already have with my Elan IIe. I need a 600mm lens from time to time, and the only way I'll ever have one is to use a 2X converter on a 300 f4L IS. Not the ideal way to get to 600mm, but you do what you have to.

If you have a reason to upgrade, such as the one above, or just have the money to spend, now is the time to do it.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 15, 2001.


I've been using both cameras some time now and find them both to be excellent cameras in different ways. Of course, the EOS3 and PB-E2 excels when used with fast L series lenses and easily out performs the A2 for low light, action/sports photography & flash. The solid hand- feel is much better than the light plastics in the A2, but its one noisy machine. However for most other photography the A2 is just as capable and is silent, great for theater and concerts.

I find I reach for the A2 about 75% of the time. The reason? Slow zooms like the EF 28-135 3.5-5.6 AF much better on the A2 because the cross AF sensor works with F5.6 or faster lenses. The EOS3's center cross AF sensor needs at least an F4 lens to work, or its reverts to a old style vertical sensor and tends to rack back 'n forth, especially on vertical lines (it nails horizonal lines).

What that means in terms of AF performance depends on what and how you shoot. My EOS3 and slow zoom has trouble AF distant skyscrapers or books in a library. Of course, mount a F2.8 lenses and AF rips.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), April 15, 2001.


My EOS 3 came yesterday. It seems to be a wonderful camera. The only downsides I have found, comparing it to my Elan IIe, are the noise, which I actually find pleasant, just a few decibles too loud, and the fact that I can't seem to find a custom function to force maximum X-sync in aperture priority mode. It is a little heavier than the Elan IIe alone, but since I always have the BP-50 on the Elan, they are about the same. I'm going out to finish a roll of test slides now...

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 20, 2001.

Hi Susan, I think you will love the EOS-3. Besides, the price is great right now. It is a good time to buy compared to 2 years ago (regardless of what other postings say, it is your money and you have the right to spend it as you wish, and for me the EOS-3 will give you the best value for your money if you don't really need a pro model EOS-1V).

You will find that the EOS-3 is more solid, and handles better than the A2 - its like upgrading from a cheap car to a Mercedes Benz! You will also love the way the shutter sounds, but its a tad loud. Apart from all the great features, it is also a well sealed camera that you can use in wet weather without problems, and it can take a lot of physical abuse, although I am not suggesting you abuse it!

Besides the wireless flash system, you will find that flash exposures with the 550EX or 420EX flash gives excellent results when compared to older flashes, thanks to the new ETTL flash metering system.

The EOS-3 also has a very fast CPU (about 25MHz), faster auto-focus with Canon USM lenses, and can AF with lenses + extender combo of maximum aperture f/8. The older EOS models cannot! It also has more custom functions than older cameras. Plus many other great features not mentioned here. It is highly recommended! And for the great price right now, you will get a pro-level camera for less money!

On the downside, the ECF isn't perfected yet. It works fine if you don't need eyeglasses. However the performance will decreased to 90% or 85% if you wear thick glasses for astigmatism.

-- Anthony Wong (anthwo@hotmail.com), May 03, 2001.



Susan...I switched from A-2 to the three, two years ago. Can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've used ECF. (refer to Anthony's comment). But, the ergonomic design of the three is so far superior to the A-2, that manually selecting the AF points became intutive in the first week I shot with it. I made a great sacrifice to buy it when it was still rather new, and would do it again. Now, with the price so far down? make the jump, or better yet, do the 1V. Now, if we could get the price of the accessories to drop.........

-- Kim Wise (cwp@foxcomm.net), May 28, 2001.

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