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PRO
Modern day tech
Sound of shutter
Accurate metering
Build quality
CON
Weight
Some plastic bits
SPECIFICATION
35mm SLR
EF mount
3 or 7 fps
780 grams
From RM 1000
Having decided that I would fully immerse myself into film photography, I went ahead in purchasing something I've always wanted in a camera. Focus by pupil functionality, Canon's eye control. This still is one thing that gets me wondering why hasn't this Hogwarts magic been put into modern digital cameras.
RELATED ENTRIES
ANALOGUE: Pentax 17
ANALOGUE: Mamiya 7
ANALOGUE: Leica M6
Despite its birth in 1998, its stats continue to amaze today. 45-point autofocus, 8000th of a seconds shutter speed and 7 frames per second. Moving both the mirror and film 7 times in a second is simply mad. In the hands, the EOS 3 feels like a 5D that feeds on film.
If you’re familiar with Canon’s DSLRs, there will be little to no confusion with the EOS 3. Plus it reads DX so if you are not from Canon’s ecosystem, put it into shutter or aperture priority and you too are good to go.
Unlike 500N, the Canon 3 fires regardless of focus so beware. The other thing is its weight, 780 grams without the inclusion of battery. Have a lens on, you’re lugging over a kilogram and as hours go by, weight is bound to be felt. Those things don’t annoy me as much as the flap on the right where settings like date/time, double exposure and so on are done. While holding the camera with both hands, the proximal phalanges tend to catch it every time.
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Today, the Eos 3 could be had for about 250 dollars, a sixth of its original price and for that, not much can be faulted given that it is a Canon 5D equivalent. No, it is not as pretty as an AE-1 but this will land you with ‘the shot’ more of the time. After my time with the 3, I can’t help but to have thoughts on dipping into medium format.
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Shot on Canon EOS 3 paired to a Canon EF 35mm f/2
