Canon EOS 1 First Impressions | Days of Knight

[@JamieMPhoto]

A great roll, great film, and a great camera! This era of Canon is excellent and still somehow a total sleeper deal in today's used market.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks :)

[@cameraman655]

My first “pro” AF SLR was the 1n, migrating from Canon’s F1AE/T-90 system back in the early 90s. A great rig.

[@frankzappa3834]

I’ve always wanted to shoot on a T90, seems like the best of modern ergonomics with the lenses of the old

[@cameraman655]

@@frankzappa3834 Loved the T-90. It was a bit of an oddball when released in ‘86” as most camera makers were focusing on AF (pardon the pun). While sporting a futuristic body (which would become the standard for many camera makers going forward) and sticking with FD glass, as the upcoming EF and AF systems were still being developed, this camera was surprisingly a well-accepted replacement for the much loved A1. That said, it was not without issues. Like all cameras today, the T-90 was fully electronic with no manual override, unlike the F1 and other older models that allowed some limited shooting in manual mode. It chewed through AAs, errors and malfunctions were commonplace on the first models released. Still is was widely accepted by the News shooters (of which I was one) at the time and could take a lot of punishment, indeed a great camera on one of my favourites.

[@frankzappa3834]

@@cameraman655 Thorough comment! I work as a motion picture electric so I’m not scared of replacing a few bad capacitors. You may have sold me on fixing one up! Canon really hasn’t deviated on the design since, either. The 1DX looks remarkably identical. Thank god it’s also AA, at least you can easily do a battery change when you’re out shooting! One of the reasons why I keep an FM/AM radio in my work bag.

[@largeformatlife9141]

Focusing the viewfinder - - You mentioned the view finder was out of focus, I’m sure you figured this out but remove the rubber eyecup by sliding it up this will uncover a small dial to the left of the viewfinder that is the diopter focus. Point at a subject, focus the camera, and turn the wheel until it’s in focus to your eye. Hope this helps. John

[@AdrianBacon]

The light leakage thing isn't really the camera. You overwhelmed the anti-halation layer with the exposure level there, and it piped light to the adjacent frame. This is common with lower budget films as they don't generally tend to have as good of an anti-halation layer as more expensive films. BTW, I have an EOS 1 with the battery motor drive grip extension thing. That thing will blast through a roll of film at 12 frames per second with AF when you put it in continuous shooting mode. It literally will pretty much give most other cameras up until the last couple years a run for their money in the performance department.

[@karlmatthias2698]

I came to comment to explain the light piping but you already did a great job explaining. 👍

[@AzrielKnight]

Good to know, thanks Adrian :)

[@rpdee7344]

3/5/21 Almost picked up a like new Canon EOS with zoom, Canon Flash, camera bag at a thrift store for $25 but passed for me it seemed to automated and simplified for user control. The Interesting part on the camera was where the lens had a bulge where I guess drove the auto focus and the film compartment was before the film coating contacts. Seemed like the camera had spent most of it life in the camera bag with little to no use, the camera used 4 AA batteries for the shutter and light meter which was located on the bottom of the camera.

[@RichardMaguire110]

Thank you, a fascinating video. I have long been interested in the EOS-1. I remember it's launch in 1989, it was a sensation for deviating so far from what it was thought professional photographers wanted (lots of dials and a removable pentaprism). Professional photographers took to it and left the Nikon F4. The usm lenses were a big draw, silent and fast auto focusing with a motor for each lens was luxurious. Its plastic is reinforced and tough to take knocks. I wanted this camera so bad but could not afford it. I was using a Ricoh KR-10 and Bronica ETRS back then. Many amateurs bought it and had to be seen with a red ringed L lens on the front. Many of them were poseurs and a bit of a nuisance at times. I remember in Oban on honeymoon, we were waiting for the Mull ferry and a poseur with an EOS-1 and L lens posed up and down the quayside making many photographs of anything and from what I could tell he had no eye for a composition. His wife sat in their car looking bored. Back then to have an autofocus camera of any soert was something special, it was called "the autofocus revoloution" and manual focus cameras were going cheap second hand, many were being part exchnged. In 1989/90 the EOS-1 was king of the hill.

[@frankzappa3834]

Seems like Nikon has been a bit behind Canon ever since! Must’ve been a magical time for that technology to disrupt the market so much.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for sharing that Richard :)

[@jimkarban6489]

The film backing plate is likely spring loaded. A film with a hard vertical curl might not lay flat inside the camera, causing your light bleed over to the next frame. I get this with Provia and my lightly sprung Canon A-1. Thanks for the great vids, Knight. Nice work!

[@anonharingenamn]

I have an A-1 with light leaks, too. Perhaps it's the backing plate on mine as well? I gotta investigate!

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I have the EOS 1n, I love it. It's a tank!

[@AzrielKnight]

Nice! Pretty pricey I'm sure.

[@RhettAnderson]

@@AzrielKnight I got my EOS-1 for $100. Worth it for sure.

[@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp]

I'm honoured to say that I have one of every "1"series that has ever come out, both film and digital, and they are all wonderful cameras. I'm currently rocking film in an Eos-1N RS, I also had an EOS-3 at one point, which I now regret selling, as they are awesome cameras, what with the eye focus etc. When you say top dial however, all "1" series series have button and dial combo adjustments. This is done on purpose, to stop you changing modes accidentally, only when you get down to the "5" series and below have you got a mode dial. Just thought I'd mention it. All the best from Aston.

[@map3384]

I purchased the EOS 1n model used two years ago. It’s so superb you wonder how much better they could make a film camera. It’s probably one of the best values out there in film cameras.

[@AzrielKnight]

Very cool.

[@francho2516]

Do you know it the exposure level indicator blinking can be switched off? I swear I thought it was something wrong with the N1 I just got. I know in Manual mode disappears but I'm an Av shooter most of the time and every time I look at the LCD, it drives me crazy!!! Hey thanks for the review by the way, nice shoots.

[@MikeSowsun]

At 4:26 you can see that the coupler cover is missing from the bottom of the camera. That coupler is used for the PB-E1 Power Drive Booster to get 5.5 frames per second. The part number is CA1-9080 and they are difficult to find. (I am also missing one)

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the info Mike!

[@AndrewGoodCamera]

Excellent shots! Great job managing the high dynamic range situations also.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Andrew :)

[@gelderlandproduction]

Your captures are fantasic. The juxtiposition of the roman arches and the "new world" enginneering of electrical piping was composed very nicely. GREAT WORK! And of course, Thanks for sharing and all of your efforts.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the kind words Michael!

[@jdebultra]

I was recently given a Canon EOS 100 with a Tamron 28-105. I sorted the sticky grip but have yet to use it or test it. The shutter is quiet and it is light. One of these days. I use my Minolta Maxxum 9 for AF and the Nikon F2 for manual and get consistent results. Hard for me to deviate.

[@IgnatGorazd]

What about your view finder? I have same model camera and have view finder problem - on a cold days (below 10C) it freezes and doesn’t show anything of measuring. I love to take photos in Manual mode but not a cold day. Funny is that show you exposure metering on a side display in any but Manual mode. Otherwise I love that camera and my modern Sigma lenses combo

[@donaldjr1969]

I’ve got its successor, the EOS-1n. I really love the camera as it is a workhorse that will do anything I ask of it. Yes, it’s hefty and since I have the add on power drive booster, it’s really hefty. But sometimes a heavy camera is easier to hold steady. Regarding the evaluative metering, I used the custom functions to change evaluative metering to centerweighted metering. If I have high contrast situations, I use spot metering and then notice the difference in the highlights vs the shadows on the sliding exposure scale. I then set my exposure depending on if I want to emphasize shadows or highlight detail. If there is one thing, it’s the fact that the finder LEDs seem a bit dimmer since I bought the camera in 2003. But I don’t have a problem with it. The camera was accidentally submerged in 2005 and after a drying procedure, continued to work perfectly.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for sharing Donald.

[@azzalos]

You seem so happy. It makes me happy for you. Well done dude. Thanks for sharing your happiness 🙂

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Gabirel

[@LuigiL75]

Those were some BANGERS!!! 🙌🏾

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks very much :)

[@tompwilliams1]

High contrast lighting situations and your exposures are spot on! Great images.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks very much :)

[@kiwipics]

I bought my EOS1 and booster BP E1 brand new back in 1991, and it's still going as strong as ever in 2021. I don't understand why people moan about it being too much like a DLSR, as for many in the 90s it was the best thing to happen for pros and amateurs alike.

[@AzrielKnight]

That's amazing!

[@NPJensen]

Nice to see, that you didn't think much about the camera while shooting. In my opinion, that's a sign, they got it right. I have the EOS 1N myself, and I have similar experiences with that model. I personally like that there is no dial on top as it means, you can only change settings while the camera is turned on, while a dial can be turned by accident while the camera is turned off.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks :)

[@mileschun143]

That's one fantastic roll, especially image #13 (10:35). I've been a fan of ultrafine films for a few years now-- glad to hear you agree!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Miles :)

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Great shots! 3, 4, 5 and 6 were my favourites :-) That light leak from the next frame happens with all my cameras in strong sunlight.

[@AzrielKnight]

Good to know, thanks :)

[@johnleftwich650]

Love those shots. I had the EOS-1 that I got for a bargain price of $50. After a while the light meter stopped working and I was able to sell it to KEH for quite a bit more than what I had in it. I'm a pretty serious collector of vintage film cameras in excellent or mint condition. I'm starting a search for an EOS-1v. Do you have someone who can fix your viewfinder issue?

[@AzrielKnight]

I'm not sure it's fixable. I may have to return it.

[@matheusschottz2517]

The water reflection shot(24th) was my fave by far. Amazing composition, Azriel!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Matheus

[@erichartke4331]

I bought one of these bad boys for my cousin and I thought the 3 combination buttons was a great design personally. Great shots and video.

[@dankspangle]

Love EOS film cameras. They are great value. The 'non pro' EOS cameras are even more amazing value, and take exactly the same quality of photo (with the same film and lens). I like the weight of the 1 series though, dampens my shaky hand. Don't forget the door on the side of the EOS 1, it hides drive settings and custom functions (including back-button focus and leaving the film leader out). That light leak, some film bases tunnel light (bright light is transmitted along the film base), so it could be the film.

[@klofisch]

14:45 i had that also when i shot straight against the sun with my N90S..... So it's a feature not a bug ;)

[@RickJohnson]

I can trigger it in my SRT-303 as well.

[@frankzappa3834]

I can trigger it on any Estar based film without Remjet...

[@AzrielKnight]

lol @peter

[@deej807]

I treated myself to the youngest brother from the family, the EOS1V, at the start of the year. Man it’s fast at focusing and seems to nail shots more often than my other EOS bodies. I mainly take it out for pictures of the kids and it’s truly a beast. Looking forward to the U.K. lockdown ending so I can really put it through it’s paces. (Edited typo)

[@AzrielKnight]

Nice! That's a pricey one.

[@RickJohnson]

I definitely like the second image in the highlights (frame 8) and the one that looks like the back of a photo frame (frame 21). UltraFine 100 definitely wasn't as contrasty to start, but I imagine when you make prints w/ this batch, you'll easily adjust as "desired". Sweet!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Rick. Yeah I tweak my photos pre scan and when I take it to the darkroom I may use a higher contrast filter depending.

[@dherring44]

Great video and photos 👍 looking forward to this old camera. I really like that series 😊

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Miles :)

[@jakewestbrook3214]

Yea I've had the light leak thing happen on rare occasions. it's not a common thing but it does happen. don't think there's anything wrong with the camera

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Jake.

[@jdebultra]

I tested the eos 100 (Elan 1), it skips frames and the shutter sticks, going into my electronics recycle bin. I was surprised as it looked real clean on the inside. Oh well. I did find a EOS 1 yesterday in a Salvation Army, it looks barely used. It was 50% off, got it for $15 dollars.

[@AzrielKnight]

Someone may buy that broken, I'd check eBay!

[@frankzappa3834]

Hey those shots from that Gabe guy look good! May have to join the Discord myself!

[@AzrielKnight]

mmmhmmmmm :P

[@SAGGING_GUT]

I owned the 1n for a (somewhat) brief period and I can honestly say it's the best 35mm film Camera I've ever owned. It gets out of the way, and simply lets you take photographs that are well exposed, focused well and more often than not, better timed. I love shooting with my Leica, or other various manual Cameras that I own and appreciate from an engineering standpoint - but none of them let me take good photographs without serious effort. Some will argue that it's worth it for the lenses, etc. I think you're missing the point of Photography. I wish I never sold that Camera because I'm not in a position to re-buy it now, with prices going up and investing in (another) system.

[@AzrielKnight]

I'd love to try the 1N at one point, but yeah $$$

[@marcsorbe7381]

EOS-1 a great camera. Got to barrow one from Canon ( in return of my opinion on it ) at the time was selling cameras at large west coast discounter. Was equiped with a 80 -200 2.8L lens Tested with a roll of Fuji Neopan. Shot most of the pics in Huntington Beach, Calif

[@AzrielKnight]

Nice!

[@thiby2]

My prefered camera at the moment is the somewhat younger 1v, love that camera. Got it for a steal a year ago and at that moment it only shot a couple of rolls, so that was a great surprise. Those 90’s pro range canon eos camera’s should be more praised in my opinion, they (for me atleast) beat the comparable nikon cameras especially when compared to the oversized nikon f5.

[@AzrielKnight]

Hang on to it :)

[@charliebrown339]

Great roll, loved the compositions of most of the highlights. My least favorite was probably #23. I agree, color would NOT have been the right film to use. Wonderful video as well.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Charlie :)

[@angelisone]

All Canon EF systems are no longer being made because ATG has departed. Many have lost jobs, But the ATG EOS-1VHS r rare while the Canon EOS-1V runs less than $75 & EOS-1VHS is under $275.00

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the info :)

[@markpeirce5636]

Was your diopter corrected to your eye

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Awesome images.

[@PaulSafford]

Still can't figure out how to get on your discord...

[@Shasari]

I have the EOS-1 with the vertical portrait grip. Bought it used from a photographer who was going digital and wanted to just sell off his film gear. Quick question, have you noticed the autowinder to have a rather noticeable whine when rewinding film? I used my EOS-1 at Joshua Tree, and the results were spectacular.

[@carlitodcreative]

Nice job!!

[@keironstoneman6938]

I have a 1n and a 1v. The 1v is better, the 1n has sentimental value and I love it more. I had an original Eos 1 but the rewind sounded like a squealing banshee and was quite embarrassing! All three are everything one ever needs for awesome pictures (plus lenses and film of course)

[@starlight25ism]

nice pics!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thank you :)

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Possibly my favourite film camera ever made. Definitely my favourite auto focus film camera ever made. Always reach for my EOS 1 if reliability is a priority. Never failed me yet. And using my 50mm F1.2 and 85mm F1.2 on fine grain slide film is just the best. I have that 16-35mm too, great lens!

[@AzrielKnight]

it was so quiet I threw it out of focus and refocused just to see if it was working.

[@tracyhawley8829]

Just bought one off ebay

[@AzrielKnight]

Congrats!