Canon SLR bodies both digital and film, plus a few others non SLR Canons  1994 to present

Canon 1Dx

My current top performer. Slightly taller than the 1Ds bodies, this unit sports a 14 frame per second firing rate. iso speeds above 250,000. Twin CF memory cards, increased focus sensors. 18 MP imager The body adds full HD video, and a very large rear screen with live view.  A software upgrade allowed it to focus with lens at F8 (600mm F4 and 2x converter).  Also, this body will allow me to apply exposure compensation to the metering when Manual mode with ISO set to AUTO.  So, when shooting night time car racing for example, I can set me aperture and shutter speed, allow the auto ISO to adjust for changing lighting conditions, but, unlike my other bodies, this one will let me put a bias to compensate for the headlamps.

2012

STATUS: Active

Canon 5D mk3 with Grip

I purchased this body as a newer backup full frame body to the 1Dx.  No not as fast, not as high of ISO, does take two memory cards and large rear screen.  Otherwise a good body.  Feels small in my hands however.  But this is my full frame travel camera.  Takes same batteries as the two 7D bodies which usually come for the trip.  This one on trips usually sports the 16-35 lens while the 7D2 takes care of telephoto shots.  Avoiding lens changes in sometimes bad conditions.

2017

STATUS: Active

Canon 7D mk2 With optional Battery grip

Since I take a lot of photos using a long telephoto, often with a 1.4x converter on it, Using a cropped sensor high speed body made sense.  Canon CPS suggested this was an excellent alternative to getting a 1D mk 4 which lacks some feature of this body.  The battery grip was also suggested by CPS to give enough battery reserve for use with the long lens.  Removing the battery grip reduces the weight and that is how this one goes on travel trips, keep a 70/200 telephoto on it while the 5D gets a wide angle. 

2017

STATUS: Active

Canon 7D

The old rebel 300D finally started to have problems, so got a new body. This one is weather sealed (like the other Pro bodies I have), frame rates up to 8 per second. HD movie mode, 18 MP imager... (OK so the Detraction limited aperture is more like f8, but so it goes), uses CF cards like the 1D gear, and takes same remote release as the pro bodies.  This one is the general “grab a camera body and go”.  It usually sports the 15-85mm IS lens. 

2012

STATUS: Active

Canon R7

This is my first modern mirrorless Canon.

Functionally it is very similar to the 7D Mk 2,  but without the optical viewfinder. Takes same battery but does require a mount adapter to be able to use the other Canon lens that are not RF type.  So bought an adapter

Main features.  Much lighter, and eye level viewfinder for video recording.  Recorders audio in stereo. Will take a bit of getting used to

2022

STATUS: Active

Canon 1Ds

The first of my digital DSLR bodies.  Got this one in 2002 after the VP of Canon called me and told me he had my “camera”.  Almost identical to my 1V in size and weight, only no film required. Output is up to 11.1 Meg Pixels image at 3 frames per second. Currently using 512 MB CF cards, I get up to 256 images at small (2.7 MP fine Jpg) and as little as 38 Raw files at bit over 11 MB per image.  This body cost me $12,000 in 2002

STATUS: Active but semi retired

Canon 1Ds mk 2

An updated version of 1Ds, this one provides about 17 Mega Pixels images, has faster processor, and faster ISO speed due to lower noise on the sensor, otherwise much like the older digital body, and much longer battery life than the original. However it does lack a few things, like the velvety soft ISO 50 speed, and the DEP mode which appears to missing in action.  In 2017 this one developed a shutter problem.  CPS indicated they could not repair it. One of the shutter blades has come loose.  Still takes photos, about 1 in 10 has shadow of rogue blade.  But it will crash and burn if I keep using it.  Got the 5D as replacement.

2005

STATUS: Retired to display case

Canon 300D aka Digital Rebel

1/10 the cost and a fraction of the weight of the 1Ds, when I got this in 2003.  It really did provide more bang for the buck than the 1Ds. Purchased as a backup/spare body to tag along with the 1Ds. Functionally a simple body, it has the most needed functions, and lacking little things like 2 second delay (is however provided by the old Elan's IR remote). Yes, not as fast, not weather proof, no spot meter, but... for camera for camera to take on short outings, parties, and most simple jobs it works just find.

2004

STATUS: Retired

Canon A2E  35mm film camera with VG-10

This was my first venture into the Canon EOS series of cameras, the year was 1994. The “E” version had eye controlled focus point selection. It proved to be a good body, and survived world travel. A rather unique feature was eye controlled focus.  Two sensor at the rear look at your eye and determine where on the screen you are looking and select the matching focus sensor.   I had Canon Canada reprogram the unit with EOS-5 software which makes use of the view finder's exposure scale to readout the manual exposure factors in 1/2 stop units, instead of the A2E's less useful + and - symbols only.

Soon after buying I added the VG-10 a vertical grip.  Added extra shutter release, but no change in batteries like newer bodies.

The body had a number of other problem areas:  The internal flash housing projects ahead of the lens mount this blocks access to the controls of the TSE lens at some rotation setting The low light auto focus assist light is body mounted and does not make use of a remote focus light on the flashgun.  I believe this was to deal with the fact that at the time of release, the 430EZ flash only provided light for a single focus sensor of the EOS-1, compared to the 5 sensors on the A2, so they blocked all external flash focus lights. The main control dial was poorly designed.  I had it fail, and the repair required replacing the top deck. After a month or so of use, the new switch was getting stiff to turn, so I removed the top deck and examined the switch assembly.  The problem has to do with the small size of the detent used and this part is formed into the top of the case. So the best I could do was to add some high quality lubricant and hope for the best.   Replaced by the EOS 3

1994



STATUS: Sold

Canon 1v HS 35mm film camera

Fast, heavy, a work horse. The name inspires thoughts of advanced technology. The “V” was advertised as meaning vision.   Up to 10 Frames /sec. has 45 focus points, will auto focus with my 600 F4 connected to the 2x converter (F8). The software package and usb adapter for the PC which permits downloading of shooting data is great. Just think, a film camera that records the shooting data for each shot.  It tagged the frame 00 with a imprinted film number that matches the recorded shooting data. The high speed motor was part of a factory package. However the booster could be removed and the body powered by a 2CR5 battery for travel.  This was the best 35mm film camera I every owned. This was the last film SLR camera I sold off.

2000

STATUS: Sold

Canon 3 HS 35mm film camera

A nice companion to the 1v. Film drops in the same way, very similar controls. Dislikes: no view finder window shutter, the view finder eye cup is same as A2E's; that is, it falls off.  When used without the booster, the cover cap for the drive gear also falls out (it and the eye cup wear gaffer tape). The light meter is more or less accurate except when used with my 600mm lens plus tele-converter.  It tends to under expose by 1/3 stop when either the 2x or 1.4x converter is used. I believe this had to do with the overall focal length the lens, and the resulting incident angle presented to the metering sensor. (The 1n or 1v does not have this problem ) It does have eye controlled focus selection control like the A2E.  The Booster can be removed and a 2CR5 inserted.

1999



STATUS: Sold

 

Canon 1n HS  35mm film camera

Like the 1v, this was also a fast and heavy body. The 1n was sold as it was replaced by the EOS-1v. Both the 1v and 1n appear to have better light meters than the 3 in terms of reading for long telephotos and macro work with extension tubes. This body had served me well for many years.  The booster could be removed and a 2CR5 battery used.  This was my first upgrade from the A2E.  It has same number of focus sensors being 5.

1996

STATUS: Sold

Canon Elan 35mm film camera

A nice unit, compact and very quiet, I think it was the best of the Elan series, although it lacked some features such as spot meter, it still as a great performer and replaced the Rebel.  Came with a 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 lens

1997

STATUS: Sold

Canon Rebel X 35mm film camera

This was the second EOS camera I bought.  My feeling was that it would be a good backup when needed and simple enough my wife could enjoy taking photos with it. It came with a 35-80mm lens. It was replace by the Elan which simply worked better as it was a more advanced camera.

1995

STATUS: Sold

Canon PowerShot TX1

This was something different that my usual SLR camera.  This was at the time a very advanced point and shoot by Canon.  About the side of a stack of business cards.  It has an optical zoom lens, and… It shoots HD video (720p) recorded to an SD card.  The side mounted screen is the only view finder device, but does swivel for best viewing.

2008

STATUS: Still working but semi retired

Canon PowerShot D20

This camera was obtained as something light to carry and fully water proof.  Good to 10M (33ft) depth underwater, and will take a 1.5M drop. Shoots stills and 1080P video.  Does what it is supposed to do.

2015

STATUS: Active

Canon Elura 80

This camera was the last of the tape type cam-corders I purchased.  It recorded in digital format on mini DV cassettes.  It would also take stills to a SD card.  Video could be 3x4 or 9x16 ratio.  Video was transferred digitally to a PC using a firewire (IEEE1394) link. The max. video resolution 480x720p. for 9x16 ratio, or 480x640 in the 3x4 ratio. The TX1 replaced this camera completely. If for no other reason that better video and direct to SD card recorder. Forget the firewire cable.  And… It was a lot smaller.  This one did win on having an eye level finder however.

2005

STATUS: Retired

 

 

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