Build Quality
Focusing
Custom Functions
Ergonomics

Weight - if you are bothered about it

I bought this camera in mint condition off a friend who ran 27 rolls through it befroe he upgraded to a 1D-S. I had always wanted one and I was not sissappointed at all.

The build quality is that of a tank and yet it feels like a smooth extension of your hand. While some may criticize the weight, for this sort of camera, it is what I would expect. you have to come prepared when you want to use it.

Surprisingly, it's simple to use and fairly intuitive. I stepped up from a EOS 300 and they share much of the same interface except you have much more functionality and the focusing is extremely fast.

Custom functions need only be set once - you won't need to change them again.

This (I believe) is the only film camera Canon makes now. It is pricey new but the upgrade to digital means that at second hand, you will pay a much cheaper price than what I paid for it. You will not regret it. I have taken it all over the world and enjoyed every minute with it.

Customer Service

Never needed. bought with 27 rolls on the clock and 6 months of warranty left - in 2004

Similar Products Used:

EOS 300 (still my spare)

The strengths for me are speed, ease of use (no more or less complicated than any other camera) from the 1st time you pick it up. The information and controls are laid out perfectly and the feel and sound screams solid build. The sealing and feel is first rate.

If I had to pick one and I am forced to do this I would have to say the weight can be a bit much for some.

The Canon 1V HS is for me on of the last great film camera bodies. The quality of build is amazing and the function of this camera is unrivaled by none.

There is no "perfect" camera that allows you to shoot anything you want at any time but for me this camera comes the closest. If you couple the 1V HS with "L" series lenses you have a world class outfit. You can shoot fine art to weddings. Sports to portraits.

If you want a camera that will allow the most shooting diversity I would highly recommend that 1v HS. Film is not dead, far from it and now you can get a $2800.00 camera for under $800.00!

Customer Service

No need for this camera

Similar Products Used:

Contax RTS
Canon A2E
Nikon F90

AF
Build Quality

menu structure is hard to get around
To me the body is a little big, and it doesn't quite fit in my hand nicely, but its more of a personal weakness than a product weakness

The company I work for shooting youth sporting events has this camera, and I have been using it for a few months.

The AF is very fast, and the build quality is fantastic. Some of the bodies we use have a cracked LCD screen on the top, and other parts banged up (the bodies they have have been used & abused) and they still work like a charm. The images we get from this body are fantastic.

Any piece of equipment that has been abused for as long as the cameras at the place I work for, and still work is a testament to the quality of the product.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D1, D1h, D2h, Canon EOS 1N

The entire design is strength. Speed. Resistance to the elements. Quality. Accuracy. More 'good' shots per roll; and that's what pays the bills...

I love the 'safety shift' function. That function alone makes this a worth-while investment for any pro who relies on getting the shot at all costs.

I was surprised when I contacted Canon regarding the suggested operating temperatures for the 1v. "There are none" was the simple, and unbelieveable answer I received. I do suggest (as Canon does) that you run the NiMh battery in extreme cold. This also affords a 10 FPS shooting speed. Think about that for a second- that is 1/10 second interval frames, virtually a movie! It brings new dimension to action sequenses, just be careful; as you will burn through a 36 exposure roll in under four secdonds... (when I first test-fired the camera with the NiMh battery at ultra-high speed advance, I laughed out loud at how fast that shutter tripped!) This is still the worlds fastest FPS count available in an SLR camera. Don't even TRY to touch that with even the latest Digital offerings...

1/8000 maximum shutter speed... I have no need for ND filters any longer.

1/3 stop exposure control (switchable to 1/2 or 1 stop)... Perfect exposure every time.

Is it heavy? Yes it is. But it balances nicely with the faster, heavier L glass I use. More mass makes it more stable, and virtually every surface has grippy rubber on it for those awkward gripping situations. I'm also used to the F-1 with the motor drive and a pile of AA batteries in it, so... The 1v feels like QUALITY in the hand.

The software package available for the 1v is outstanding. it remembers all your shooting settings, so you can loose the log book. Attach thumbnails in the computer, and you have a brilliant archive system.

The control layout could be more intuitive, as was mentioned in another review; however to Canon's credit, they managed to pack a boat-load of features in a few carefully placed buttons, rather than cluttering up the camera with all kinds of buttons and knobs. (most of the wheel and button functions can be re-arranged through the custom functions) less buttons means less places for water and dust to enter the camera...

The rear control wheel; however I typically have it turned 'off'. If it is left on, you can inadvertantly over or under expose a shot/roll. The wheel control switch is convenient and easy to get to, but not easy to 'accidentially' move, which is nice. In manual mode, this wheel controls the aperature, and the main wheel controls the shutter speed. All data is visible in the 100% viewfinder, so you don't ever have to remove your eye to see what's going on, and possibly miss a shot.

On the HS model (1v with power booster installed- as I use it) the switch for the secondary shutter release (when held vertically) can sometimes get shut off accidentially. I have a piece of gaffers tape on it to keep it in place.

I was the last hold-out on manual focus (Canon's legendary FD system), but I have to say, I'm a convert, and I'm never looking back!

WOW.

That sums it up. This is by far the best film camera (for 35mm format) ever made. I have been a photographer for over 20 years, starting in school with B&W processing up to today doing article photos for magazines (and a lot of crazy stuff in-between). I have always used Canon products, as I felt they always gave the most for the money; however Canon really out-did themselves this time.

Some say film is dead, I say try using ANY digital camera in -40 degree weather (or colder for that matter). It won't work. My trusty F-1 won't work (unless all the lubricant is removed); I have sold my last F-1 body- and for anyone who has used this classic work-horse camera before [the F-1], you know just how good that body was...

Case in point- pouring rain: I used the EOS-1v and my 24-70 2.8L with no moisture problems. other photographers at that event were cowering in their cars, under umbrellas- MISSING THE SHOTS. I got it all, and had no problems with either the lens or camera. Absolutely outstanding. When I did get into the shelter, everyone was concerned for my gear but me. I knew it wouldn't let me down, and it didn't.

I specialize in radical photography; Climbing mountains, freezing Canadian winters, crossing the North African desert... I go where other photographers fear to tread, and I now go there with my EOS-1v.

Even if I do switch to digital (and I honestly do loathe scanning negatives for hours on end), there will always be a place in my gear collection for this camera.

I currently run with two EOS1-v HS bodies (ALWAYS have a back-up); I may never need a third...

www.JamesLeachPhotography.com

Customer Service

Excellent- I needed an update to the archiving software, and they e-mailed it to me within 24 hours.

Phone and e-mail support is great too, as I had a few questions early on as I got used to the layout.

Similar Products Used:

There is nothing else like it...

Strength of construction, handling (with the PB-E2 Motor-Drive), virtually indestructable, weather-sealed body, likely to give years of service. It gives a feeling of confidence not found in any other Canon model. (I know..... I've used most of them)

None really. The weight factor may bother some people, particularly if it's fitted with the PB-E2 Booster. Personally, I think it improves the balance.

There is one very good reason to buy this model at the moment, particularly if you can find a mint condition used one as I did (HS version with just 77 rolls on the counter). That reason being that it's doubtful whether we're going to see the likes of this type of camera ever again. Rumor has it over here in Japan that when this model has had its day, Canon will not replace it with an updated version, unlike Nikon with its slow-selling F6. A salesman who I know very well, and works for one of Japan's largest camera houses recently told me that the E0S-1D body is now outselling the 1V body at a rate of 60 to 1 ! I guess it's understandable when you consider just who the primary purchasers of these pro-level bodies are. The newspapers, sports magazines, etc. At the baseball in Japan, you will never see a Pro using anything but digital bodies any longer, and I guess that's the World-wide trend. However, getting back to my original comments, this puts the rest of us film users in an excellent buyer's market. The store where I bought my 2 year-old HS had more than a dozen to choose from. Having used an EOS-3 for 5 years prior to this purchase, I was immediately impressed by the obvious strength difference of the 1V over the 3. Many features are shared by the cameras, making it an easy transition from one to the other, but it's the shutter that gives that added feeling of confidence in the pro body. It seems indestructable by comparison. This strength aspect carries over into quite a few other areas,too. I don't want to reeat what a myriad of other reviewers have covered regarding its description. Suffice to say that it's doubtful you'll do any better, or require any more features than this model has on offer. I guess the point that I'm trying to make is that it's an ideal time in which to be looking for your (possibly) final decent 35mm SLR body before their demise, and that you can't go wrong buying an EOS-1V (new or used) with prices and specials as generous as they are now. I waited patiently for this forseeable price drop, and I'm very glad that I did. I saved a heap of money, and picked-up a very fine piece of machinery at the same time, so if you truly want one too, you'd better pull your finger out and make that decision soon. Don't forget......he who hesitates........!

Customer Service

I live in Japan where the customer is King. They didn't have an English instruction book for this used model, so they posted me one from the head office next day. Say no more!

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS-3, Nikon F5 & 4S.

everything that a photographer could ask for in a camera

user controls a bit hard getting used to but workable.

wow what a camera. have shot over a hundred rolls of film with this machine. why did i get a pro film instead of a pro digital? price. remember lenses is what makes a good quality sharp photo. the camera is just the storage with controlls so to speak. i rather spend my money on lenses in wich i did. this pro film camera has everything that a pro dslr has other than not being digital. and its fast fast fast with L lenses. 45 point auto focus, bright and easy to read LCD panel, user controls are a bit hard getting used to but workable. bright viewfinder--100%--i love it! its heavy with L lenses on it but again workable. feels great in the hands. i was shooting my freinds high school football game, well.......it was overcast and started raining, not a down pour but enough for others to seek shelter and put away there cameras so to speak. but i kept on shotting with my 70-200L IS lens. it rained for 30 minuts and not one drop made it into my comination that i had. i am very proud to own a machine like this. this is my first pro film and i did work my way up the ladder starting with the rebel ti and the elan 7ne. only 90% viewfinders in them and i wanted to see what i was getting on film. also another great way to crop your subject with a 100% viewfinder. plus the flash exposure bar that it provides is great to see what your flash is up to during manual operation. not for beginners just gettin into photography, but for the serious hobbyist or professional...........yup this is a great film slr if you cannot afford a dslr

Customer Service

have not had to use it.

Similar Products Used:

canon rebel ti, canon elan 7ne, canon A620 7mp digital, canon eos 20d, canon 70-200L IS f/2.8, canon 24-70 f/ 2.8, canon 16-35 f/2.8 lenses

Quiet, Acurate

Bit but It needs to be, never got a chance to find out.

I had a go on sombody elses. Good camera, Awake up call after using an old manual camera for so long, Had ago a street photography but its not much good at that, its too big and bulky, but I was using it for a purpose it was not meant for. Great camera but I wouldn't buy one.

Similar Products Used:

Few OM's F80,. Minolta D40

Everything

Heavy to cary

I have used this camera for over 6 years. It is perfect by all means, fast, reliable under all conditions, accurate exposure. It offers the photographer everything you need from fast action to exposure and freedom. Purely wonderful

Customer Service

10

Solid body, 45 zone AF, 21 zone evaluative metering, incredible weather sealing, huge, bright 100% viewfinder (compared to the Canon 20D's dark "tunnel vision" viewfinder), don't need special expensive wide angle lenses like the 20D, ability to use high speed power booster when needed but take it off to save weight when not, MLU (handy for shooting nautical scenics with Velvia 50), lots of useful custom functions, etc.

Price and a tad bulky. Controls not quite as well laid out as Nikon (IMHO) but still workable. Custom functions hard to access under time pressure (the 1v could benefit from a LCD-based menu system in lieu of custom functions).

Why would anyone in their right mind buy a 1v at this point in the evolution of DSLRs? In a word, price. I know pros who bought a 1Ds body with the money they saved on film and developing in 6 months, but they shoot/develop a ton of film each year. I shoot maybe 50-100 rolls/year for publication. Up until the advent of the 1Ds Mk II a 1Ds went for $7k, but is basically a "digital 1v" with the same 45 zone AF system, same 21 zone evaluative metering, same pro weather sealing, same 100% viewfinder, same control layout, etc. At the same price point as the 1v body, you could buy a Canon 20D, which will have the same AF and metering of a $350 Elan 7/7E, no special weather sealing, the annoying 1.6x crop factor that plays havoc with wide angle lenses, and doesn't quite match the resolution of professional transparency film like the 1Ds can. Still, if all you want to do is shoot causal photos and print them up to 8 x 10 on a home inkjet printer the 20D is a great camera. But for serious prints to 11 x 14 a 1v is a "poor man's" 1Ds at this juncture in time. It's also a "poor man's 1D Mk II for the sports-minded photog who needs fast framing rates but more resolution. I was shooting with consumer grade Nikon gear for magazine publication on a part-time basis and was counseled by editors and pros to upgrade if I wanted images to run bigger. So I bit the bullet, switched to Canon and bought a 1v and 70-200 f/2.8L, in good measure because most nautical pros I knew were using Canon. Up until now the largest image I published was 5 x 7 with consumer Nikon gear; this year right out of the box with this combo I published a 10 x 13 from a cropped transparency!. Needless to say it met my expectations.

Customer Service

OK but not outstanding like I expected for the caliber of this equipment.

Similar Products Used:

None (was using consumer grade Nikon equipment before upgrading).

Durability Control Layout Functions Shutter Lag

Its a Heavy Mother Price, no matter how much money you have $2200 per camera hits you hard but its better than the almost $4300 I payed for each of my 2 F5's

This is hard for me to say but I've been a Nikon guy for a while now and have owned alot of F series cameras. I'm 21 now and recently wanted a camera to play around with when I wasn't taking the big dogs out for a photojournalism assignment. I looked at the Nikon N series cameras and was disappointed by the features for the price. Then i went to go look at the Canon Elan 7NE and was impressed so I purchased it and loved it. So I went back to my store and looked at the EOS 1VHS's and since the guys at the shop know my parents and I they let me take one home to play with for a week. I loved it and after a week I bought 2 of them. SO now I am once again a Canon person. The Biggest advantage I have to say the canon had over the Nikons was the price. I was paying almost half of what I payed for the Nikons with the Grips and I wasn't really getting all that more. This is a personal preference but the buttons on the 1VHS was just layed out more to my liking. I mainly shoot with a 50mm 1.0L lens or a 28-105 3.5 MK II lens, and I have yet to encounter a problem other than weight. You have to remember that these are pro cameras and they are loaded with alot more stuff than your normal consumer camera so it will weigh more. The most impressive thing about this camera is I have to say its durability. I once went 2 weeks without cleaning it and pretty much still shooting the crap out of it, I mean I put up to 120-130 rolls of film through it without a cleaning or even a brushing and it never froze up on me once, and that impresses me because I continually shoot in continuous and it never even burped.

Customer Service

Never needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon -AE-1 -EOS 3 -Elan 7NE (Current Backup Body) NIKON -F100 -F2 -F3/T-Titanium Version -F5 -F6