Stupid EOS 3

[Ariston]

I had an EOS 3 many, many years ago. I loved the camera and its magical autofocus, but it was stolen in a burglary. I had not been doing much photography at the time it got stolen; and when I started again, I switched to Nikon. I like Canon and Nikon both fine, but all my glass is now Nikon.

I was just able to pick up an EOS 3 with a decent lens for very little, and it looks basically unused. I intended to just sell it to buy something else... either more Nikon glass or something for a larger format. That is how I finance my addiction responsibly: if I want to buy something, I have to sell something.

Well, now that I have it in my hands, I am reminded why I liked the EOS 3 so much. It is a magnificent camera, with magical autofocus, and I had forgotten how awesome the viewfinder is. It is 100% clutter free. There are no markings, no focus aids, no anything. The focus point magically lights up wherever you look, and that's it. Even the focus points are not visible when composing.

Now I have to decide if I want to keep this thing. If so, I'll have to part with one of my other beloved cameras - one valuable enough to account for keeping this one.

What do you think? Should I keep it? I really don't need a second 35mm system. This camera is abusing my nostalgia, I think.

 

[Jon Shumpert]

I have been a Nikon user for many years but always wanted an EOS 3. I played with one at a camera store and thought it was an interesting camera. Someday I may get one, but I am much like you in that I buy cameras and lenses I don't need with the intention of selling them to finance my own addiction. I just did that today when I found a Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens at an estate sale for $25. I plan on selling it, but the more I play with it, the more tempted I am to keep it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Take a deep breath. Then go out and shoot film. We are here to enable you addiction. You are with good friends. It is only money; memories last.

 

[Kino]

Don't ask junkies how to kick the habit!

Seriously, some personal soul searching is in order for you; I just keep them all...

 

[Helios 1984]

Why would you deny yourself the pleasure of using this camera? It's only 1 camera and 2-3 lenses, not a whole shelf.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Clearly, you really like the camera. Keep it. Keep the Nikon's also. It all amounts to very little money expended for greater enjoyment.

 

[Ariston]

I have been a Nikon user for many years but always wanted an EOS 3. I played with one at a camera store and thought it was an interesting camera. Someday I may get one, but I am much like you in that I buy cameras and lenses I don't need with the intention of selling them to finance my own addiction. I just did that today when I found a Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens at an estate sale for $25. I plan on selling it, but the more I play with it, the more tempted I am to keep it.

Youtube has made the AE-1 very valuable. I gave one of those to my sister many years ago. It had the cloth whine. She still treasures it. It still works.

Getting these cameras at giveaway prices has a tendency to make them hard to sell... because you know you'll never be able to buy them again without shelling out ridiculous money.
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You guys are all enablers! Have you no shame?!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... the AE-1 ... It had the cloth whine....

The squeal is from the mirror activation lever, I think. It's not fatal, but it's an easy inexpensive fix.

...
You guys are all enablers! Have you no shame?!

None at all. We enjoy helping people spend money acquiring cameras and magnanimously give advice on which cameras to buy.

Aside from Ben, who wisely owns only a few top-spec Canon bodies, everyone here is swimming in cameras. I'm at 101. Welcome to our world.

 

[Jon Shumpert]

I think I will hold on to the AE-1 for now. I posted about it in the "whats your latest new old camera" post and mentioned a weird flaw inside the lens. The glass looks clean from the front, but if you look into the lens at an angle, there are what appear to be scratches along the perimeter of the inner barrel.

 

[Helios 1984]

You guys are all enablers! Have you no shame?!

You could buy a brand new YN50mm f/1.8 for less than 50$. I've heard that they're as good as the real McCoy.

 

[Jon Shumpert]

Going back to the subject of buying a camera with the intention of selling it. I normally would just decide to keep the AE-1 without a second thought, but my conscience, A.K.A my wife, was at the sale with me and expects me to sell it. Fortunately for me, I also found a Canon 24mm f2.8 EF autofocus lens for the same price as the AE-1. Since I have no Canon autofocus bodies, I will be selling the lens to more than offset the cost of the 24 and the AE-1. This way I can keep the AE-1 without guilt. Ariston, I would suggest keeping the EOS 3 if you will enjoy using it. There have been cameras I regretted selling in the past. On a couple occasions, I found the same model and using them would bring back good memories. You can't put a price on those moments.

 

[Ariston]

You could buy a brand new YN50mm f/1.8 for less than 50$. I've heard that they're as good as the real McCoy.

What are you doing to me?! I never knew that lens existed!

In any case, I would NEVER sell a camera without first running a roll of film through it. To make sure it works, of course...

Here is the camera and a couple of shots (from out in the yard) with it. I underdeveloped the film a little, since I am still experimenting with Ultrafine speeds.

 

[Joel_L]

Ya, I get it. I've had my EOS-3 since they came out. Was between the EOS-3 and the F100, the EOS set me down the Canon path. As far as different cameras go, I have a collection of many brands, makes is difficult to choose when heading out........ Too many "favorites"

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Good photos.

U can't sell that

 

[John51]

I'm saving all my cameras for an estate sale.

 

[Cholentpot]

You could buy a brand new YN50mm f/1.8 for less than 50$. I've heard that they're as good as the real McCoy.

I've heard that those Yunguos don't play well with the old EOS cameras. I held off of getting a YN35 because of it and got a used EF 40 instead to use with my Elan II, A2 and 6D.

 

[neilt3]

I've heard that those Yunguos don't play well with the old EOS cameras. I held off of getting a YN35 because of it and got a used EF 40 instead to use with my Elan II, A2 and 6D.

Amateur photographer magazine in the u.k did a review on it .
Even on the high megapixel modern cameras it gave good results , both regards a/f and resolution and other aspects of I.Q .

When used on several film cameras it tended to hunt for focus a bit and sometimes missed altogether .

I think they have brought out a newer version of some of their lenses , but how they behave on film cameras , I don't know .

 

[Helios 1984]

I've heard that those Yunguos don't play well with the old EOS cameras. I held off of getting a YN35 because of it and got a used EF 40 instead to use with my Elan II, A2 and 6D.

I was unaware of that, thanks. I did a quick research and, apparently, they works well with more “recent” Canons like the EOS 7/30/33/Elan 7.

 

[Cholentpot]

I was unaware of that, thanks. I did a quick research and, apparently, they works well with more “recent” Canons like the EOS 7/30/33/Elan 7.

Apparently ain't good enough for me...I use EOS cameras so I have cross compatibility with my film and digital. Oh well, can't have it all.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

There's a YN 50/1.8 II in "Canon Professional White". Very clever of them and an attractive lens, especially with the sleek distance scale.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Sell one Nikon lens, get one Canon lens.
Old EF L zoom lenses are not very expensive, some of them.
I think camera like EOS 3 with eye focus is at its best with L AF.

I had EOS 3, I think, for short time. It was with none removable grip, I think.
Sold it because of the size and weight. I have more primitive Elan in 2018, but I gave it to young one .