Canon EOS 1n experiences

[Pfreddee]

I've posted a thread about this camera before, but I'm curious if any other members who use an SLR use the Canon as a main camera. I've been using mine for several months and the camera is growing on me.

True, the shutter fires with an authoritative racket. But, on the plus side are the five focus points in the viewfinder. Less is more with the focus points. I've not had any problems with getting the best exposure with any setting: Program, Aperture or Shutter speed. And the camera just feels right in my hand. It is heavy, but not excessively so, and I've had no problems carrying it for a long time. My main (only) lens is the 40mm Pancake which has won me over to the focal length. It's my Goldilocks lens!

I think this model of Canon is a sleeper, especially since I picked it up so cheaply. Traded for it, the list price in the shop was $240.00, and I had store credit left over.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Range-rover]

I had the first 1 and the 1n and they were great cameras, the build and speed, plus
a great finder in it.

 

[gavinlg]

I used a 1n for about 2-3 years. Bought it for $90 super beat up, worked reliably the entire time. Even used it in pouring rain in Japan. Ended up pairing it with a 40mm f2.8 pancake which is a superb lens. Loved the camera and would buy one again.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I had one as my first 'real' camera. Or, maybe it was the 1v? I eventually traded 'down' to the EOS 3. on the 1, i didn't like using the control disc to cycle through the AF points. If you like the 1n, try an EOS 3 at some point. I previously thought the Eye Control Focus feature was a gimmick, but after trying it for just a minute, i was hooked. Still don't know why it's not yet in the digital line.

 

[santino]

The 1N is a great camera (no weak points except for the expensive battery). IMO the EOS 3 doesn't have that solid feeling although it comes pretty close to the 1N. I wonder about the 1V but the prices are still a bit too high for me.

 

[analogangler]

The Canon EOS-3 was my first pro-level camera and a nice step up from my Elan-II. I used it for photojournalism in college and it was a dream to use. I finally wore it out and replaced it with another of the same, and added a EOS-1 (original) as a backup. Both provide a very easy experience with as much or little automation as you like, and I still use both when I'm home and for more serious self-assignments, paired with a 24-105 L IS and 70-200 L IS, as well as a 50 1.4. The shutter is especially "authoritative" with the PB-E2 motor drive.

 

[p.giannakis]

I do not own the Canon EOS-1n but I have, use and love the EOS-1n RS variant. It is a rather temperamental camera, rather unforgiving if you are not careful with the shutter button (it can waste your whole film in 3 seconds) and at times you are not sure whether it took the picture or not (i always does though) because of the various sounds that the camera makes - difficult to explain but i will write a review of this camera on my blog at some point.
I cannot say that the viewfinder has left me impressed, comparing it with my Nikon F4s and F90x it feels tiny. But the camera has never failed to amaze me with it's performance. It is flawless.

 

[Noserider]

I was a working regular news shooter during the era when this was used alongside the Nikon F4s and F3's with MD-4's that I used. We all used to swap cameras, try a roll or two with a buddy. This particular Canon was a highly regarded sports camera of the era. I felt the loud shutter was an intimidation tactic; letting everyone know YOU JUST SHOT THAT MOMENT. That new fangled Auto-Focus sure did pretty good paired with a 3 or 400mm f/2.8 lenses, mostly due to Canon's patent protected use of much faster Ultrasonic Motors. By the time Nikon caught up with their own version of the Silent Wave Motor they also had the F5, which had the 5 focus points arranged in a Diamond with a center. That autofocus point setup plus Nikon's use of color information with the AF points AND Full AF at 8 fps meant after a short time frame the 1n was 2nd place. Still totally usable and just as formidable in delivering the goods in the right hands but the shine of being the #1 was tarnished and as you know the rise of digital was just around the corner.