Canon EOS 3,1v, or 1n?

[ColdEye]

I am now in the market for an EOS film camera, and I am wondering which of the EOS 3,1v or 1n could be the best pick. I am looking for great AF (a bit tired of always focusing manually). Weather sealing is also a plus because I usually shoot where there are sprays from the sea or dust being kicked around. Weight does not matter.

 

[Vonder]

1V, simply the best.

 

[chioque]

1v is certainly the best but the best value IMHO is the EOS-3, it can do 90% of what 1v can at a much lower price, though not 100% weather-sealed but lighter

 

[Vonder]

Not sure how you could recommend the 3...

1v is certainly the best but the best value IMHO is the EOS-3, it can do 90% of what 1v can at a much lower price, though not 100% weather-sealed but lighter

The original post specifically mentioned sea spray and sand as primary shooting environments. The 3 might be cheaper and lighter but isn't sealed like the 1V, and again, the original post mentioned weight was not a factor.

 

[TimmyMac]

The original post specifically mentioned sea spray and sand as primary shooting environments. The 3 might be cheaper and lighter but isn't sealed like the 1V, and again, the original post mentioned weight was not a factor.

Had mine out in the rain. It's pretty capable of dealing with those things.

Not to mention, you can buy 3 3's before you're coming close to the price of a 1V.

 

[delthedog]

+1 for the EOS 3. Put on the booster and you have 9 frames a second

 

[AlbertZeroK]

+1 for the EOS 3. Put on the booster and you have 9 frames a second

I though it did 6. I could be wrong. Love my EOS 3 with the booster. Have an EOS 7e as well, but LOVE my EOS 3.

I can't see spending the money on a 1v and if I want steller AF performance, I pull out my 50d. But the EOS 3 does a good job.

 

[hpulley]

Sea spray? The 1V may be the best weather sealed of the 3 but don't take any camera into sea spray! Salt water ruins everything electronic. I'd take an old manual camera and lens, something cheap and replaceable like manual focus FD gear, a TX or FTb that only uses battery for meter. That way there is little to be ruined by salt water and if it is ruined it is easily re-bought.

Also remember that you must use a sealed L lens (usually with front filter) to finish the sealing. Otherwise, water can in through the lens and its mount. The lenses with a rubber seal at the mount are sealed (also sealed under all focus/zoom rings and switches).

Of the three, I have an EOS 1N RS but as I said I take my old FD gear for sea shores.

 

[hpulley]

EOS 3 is 7 fps with PB-E3 according to the camera museum. 1N RS and 1V are 10 fps which are the fastest EOS cameras.

 

[Tim Gray]

The 1V needs the stupid NiCad battery for 10 fps. With 8 AAs, you only get 6 fps I think. Though there is some way to jimmy it with rechargeable AA or lithium AA batteries to get 10 fps...

 

[ColdEye]

It's mild sea spray at the best. Thanks for the insight, it's very helpful. If the EOS 3's AF is the same or nearly as good as the 1v, then I am willing to sacrifice the additional weather sealing. Also I will go for the EOS 3 if the price difference between it and 1v is very high. What is the normal price of a 1v and EOS 3? I looked at keh.com (as there are none for sale here) and saw that the 1v goes for $800 and the EOS 3 for $350ish, and I was shocked.

 

[Tony-S]

The EOS 3 has 45 focus points and also has eye control, which usually works pretty well for me. I bought mine as an 'Ex' on KEH for $275 about 6 months ago.

 

[2F/2F]

1v is certainly the best but the best value IMHO is the EOS-3, it can do 90% of what 1v can at a much lower price, though not 100% weather-sealed but lighter

Exactly.

 

[Tim Gray]

I bought my 1V on ebay a couple years ago with power booster for $550 I think. Look around used on fredmiranda.com or getdpi.com. They pop up periodically. Since they are digital dominated forum, the film cameras can languish a bit and the prices can be a bit lower than elsewhere.

 

[ColdEye]

oops double post.

 

[ColdEye]

I will try getdpi. I cannot register at FM.

 

[debanddg]

+1 for EOS 3.. never failed me for over a decade of usage in the tropical weathers of India..

 

[Selidor]

Virtually the same question was asked on photo.net recently.
In short: the EOS 1v.
The 1994 EOS 1n has significant disadvantages in AF (only 5 points vs 45) and Speedlite flash compatibility with digital EOS bodies. It does retain the classic Coloni T90 styling, weather sealing and handling of the 1v; both are quieter than the 3. For what I do, the 1n is more than capable. Plus all the EZ flashes are cheaper

 

[agphotography]

I have to agree with Selidor, the 1N is still a wonderful camera. I used to work with 2 EOS 3 bodies when I was shooting film full time (along with my medium and large format kits) They were excellent cameras overall and for the most part could withstand quite a bit of use. I loaned one to my roommate for a week and she managed to drop it and knocked the prism out of alignment. Go figure...

Anyways, since getting out of and now back into film I picked up a 1N w/ PB-E1 and it's been excellent. I don't really use the motor drive on it so I tracked down the BP-E1 battery grip and it got even better. Feels just like my T90 that I miss. I also tracked down the EC-B split screen and it's just wonderful. It's the easiest camera to focus and the 100% viewfinder is fantastic.

I am perfectly happy with this camera and while I'd like to have the 1V, I honestly wouldn't use half the major features (other than EX flash support and faster AF like my 1D cameras), I just don't shoot 35mm at high speed anymore haha!

So I'm casting in another vote for the 1N. A hell of a bargain these days.

 

[eSPhotos]

Eye control of EOS 3 is very useful.
I bought my bargain grade EOS 3 with PB E1 for $150 from KEH.

 

[ColdEye]

How are the bargain grad cameras from keh? No problems with them?

 

[j-dogg]

Pretty much what has been said is all there is to say, but if it were me.....1N RS all the way. Plus with the power booster it looks like my 5D

 

[benjiboy]

The 1V needs the stupid NiCad battery for 10 fps. With 8 AAs, you only get 6 fps I think. Though there is some way to jimmy it with rechargeable AA or lithium AA batteries to get 10 fps...

They wouldn't be any use to me, it takes me all my time to think at one frame a second.

 

[eSPhotos]

How are the bargain grad cameras from keh? No problems with them?

My EOS 3 had no issue at all. Cosmetically it tells 'used' but functions perfectly.

 

[Tim Gray]

They wouldn't be any use to me, it takes me all my time to think at one frame a second.

I know what you mean. I've never bothered. I took the grip off my 1V when I bought it and have only ever used it once since then.