Low-light AF: EOS 3 vs. 1v

David R Munson

David R Munson

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Right now my 35mm SLR is a Canon Elan 7, which has a few issues but is overall really nice. Supremely quiet, and for the money really hard to beat. I find I have to think about what I'm doing with it even less than I ever did with my old Nikons. One really crappy thing about it is the fact that in lower light, and even just with darker subjects in normal light, the autofocus just craps out and does nothing but hunt. Lame.

Later this year I'm going to pick up a higher-end Canon film body, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with both the EOS 3 and the 1v (and maybe the 1n). I'm considering both, and I know both have much better AF performance, but does anyone know how they compare to each other, especially where AF in low light is concerned?
 
I'm owned and used; 1n, 1n rs, 1v hs, and 3.

Get the 1V HS.

You get them for a song on eBay.

The 1n and 1n rs only have five focusing points. The 3 is great, but why not get the flag ship? 10FPS and so much more.
 
I had both for a bit, and had the 3 for much longer. I found the 3 to beetter during my tests. Plus, the eye controlled focus was a great match for me. I have since switched to Nikon, and the 3 is what I miss the most over the Canon dslrs that I also had.
 
eos3 is the best choice. Low light focus is great, center focus point and spot meter.. Getting the 1 is no wrong but overkill in these times. I gave up my 1 any years ago, for a backup camera,eos3 IS A overkil
 
jfretless said:
I'm owned and used; 1n, 1n rs, 1v hs, and 3.

Get the 1V HS.

You get them for a song on eBay.

The 1n and 1n rs only have five focusing points. The 3 is great, but why not get the flag ship? 10FPS and so much more.
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agreed....the 1v HS is swank...and it's sealed up like nobodies business.
 
I think the EOS 3 is sort of the film-based equivalent to the 5D in this regard: not particularly well-sealed against the elements compared to the 1 series. Never mind the increased firepower and such: if you stand a chance of being caught in the rain, something like a 1v is what you want.

Edit: Just to make sure I wasn't talking out of some orifice other than my mouth, I skipped over to Canon USA's site for a head-check: looks like the 3 is gone from their current film-based SLR lineup, leaving the Rebel K2, Rebel S2, Elan 7NE, and, of course, the 1v. (Hey, this late in the game, that's a hell of a roster, no?)


- Barrett
 
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Hey ! Another Elan 7 user ! I have the 7N, and can attest to it's very quiet nature.
Just like to throw in my vote for the 1v - would be my next slr (whenever that will be, I want an R2A kit first).

I don't know if you use zoom lenses or not, but I just got the 28-135 IS USM brand new, and I'm very happy with it. Very contrasty. It's big and heavy though (but to be expected with this kind of kit I guess).

Cheers
 
I have the 1n and love it, great for EF and manual focus lenses. Autofocus is good (I only ever use the center focus point, so the lack of points doesn't effect me). Weather sealing is fine (I use mine for a lot wakeboarding and never had issues with it being splashed), but the 1v is better. It's the only 35mm film camera I use now. Best of all bargain prices on ebay, mine came with grip, three batteries, and charger, all for 75 quid.

Cheers

M
 
i had the 1vhs and i got it for it's robustness and it's being sealed against the elements. I found low light focussing to be really good and in all honesty, I hate the eye control thing that the 3 has...it just never works for me. I find it quicker to focus and recompose.

who knows, i may regret getting rid of it one day, as before I got into RF's the 1v was my grail camera.
 
cp_ste.croix said:
😱😱 did it look like a truck had run over it? that is waaay ower than i've seen. great deal!!!
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Not at all, I needed to replace the rubber eyepiece, otherwise it is clean and in very good condition. Certainly a bargain, but at the time there were quite a few for sale, so competition was stiff.

Cheers

M
 
To follow-up on my own thread, I ended up purchasing a Canon EOS 3. I've been shooting with it for almost three months now and it's wonderful. the ECF works perfectly for me and I've had no problems with AF hunting or accuracy in any situation, low-light included.
 
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