Canon EOS

The EOS series ( Electro- Optical System) by Canon is a family of SLR cameras and matching interchangeable lenses.

Followed by the type name, the extension D, there are digital models. Without this extension is cameras for small format film.

Categories

Based on the model names can be the models clearly categorize largely on the quality and characteristics. While the professional models mostly single-digit model names (eg, EOS 1, EOS 3 ) which are the semi-professional models usually two digits (eg, EOS 33, EOS 10) and the amateur models three or four digits (eg, EOS 300 EOS 3000).

The term is also extended to include letters, documents the specific characteristics or the progress of a series. This extension is more diverse than the model name. So the letters were n or v used as an extension for revised models (eg, EOS 1N, EOS 1V), the letters RS or RT ( RT for real time) featuring special models with fixed mirror, of which, in principle, the term " EOS" was derived. (eg 1RS EOS EOS RT).

In the U.S. market were (and are ) the models of entry-level series as EOS Rebel (DSLR: EOS Digital Rebel ) and in the Japanese market as EOS Kiss (DSLR: EOS Kiss Digital ) sold. The " double-digit " prosumer models wore on the American market the name EOS Elan and Japan throughout the term EOS 7 With the transition to digital models of the EOS D- series were latter designations internationally aligned, while the differentiation or in Rebel. Kiss persists even in the digital models.

Lenses

The lenses for EOS cameras are referred to as EF lenses. The abbreviation " EF" stands for " Electronic Focus", or " electronic focus ". The communication between the camera and lens is purely electronic, the control of the iris works by an electric drive in the lens. Elderly, known as FD lenses models can be used on the newly designed bayonet mount EOS cameras not readily available. For this purpose, Canon has offered 2 adapter shortly after the introduction of the EF- bayonet, which were sold only on professional service from Canon. These adapters were only produced in limited quantities and are therefore now extremely rare to be found in the used market.

Especially the quality and mass of different lenses (currently 54 EF lenses 8-800 mm ( The 1200 mm telephoto is no longer listed ) ) resulted in a wide dissemination in the press and the professional sector. The EF lenses can be used on both analog Canon EOS cameras as well as on digital models.

L-class lenses are designed especially for professional users, since they have particularly complex multicoated lens elements and often against environmental influences ( such as sand and splash water) are sealed. These lenses are easily recognizable by their distinctive red ring and also the red letter " L". All older telephoto lenses L-class also have a light gray paint finish ( RAL 7044/Seidengrau ). In the meantime, however, the lenses are in another gray painted. Officially, the "L" for " Luxury". In the Canon literature also indicates that the "L" quite simply refers to " Lens". It is often surmised that the original meaning of " aspherical " or " Low Dispersion " is, but there is no evidence. In addition, only about half of the L lenses actually have aspheric lenses. Due to the different sources that want to define this " L", it is not excluded that the designation of the time - and the changing demands of the buyers - was deliberately adjusted in advertising and literature.

Autofocus

With the introduction of autofocus lenses in 1987 not only the bayonet connection ( former FD lenses ) and the autofocus motor was changed from Canon, but moved into the lens. So now each lens has its own motor, which is adapted to the specific conditions of the lens type. This is more expensive, but it can be installed at the high-intensity super telephoto lenses, depending on the price range of the lens is both simple and slow toroidal engines or very fast, expensive motors ( USM, ultrasonic drive ) as well as powerful engines.

Even before the introduction of the EF- bayonet connector provided with the Canon T80 a separate autofocus system. Canon had at that time three special AC lenses with FD port in the range, the autofocus could only be used with the Canon T80. Shortly afterwards the EF mount and EF lenses were introduced with integrated AF motor, this system presented in the market as no more out of date.

Image stabilization

From about 1995, came Lenses with image stabilization ( Image Stabilizer, symbol: IS) to do so. Unlike digital SLRs Konica Minolta (now Sony Alpha ), Olympus or Pentax is Canon (as with Nikon and Panasonic compact cameras ) image stabilization achieved by movable lens groups inside the lens, which compensate the trembling or swaying. Since the introduction of IS in Canon there are already several generations the image stabilizers. While the older generation were not suitable for tripod use or " Mitzieher " and had to be turned off, the newer versions ( automatic shutdown if necessary ) or " Mitziehern " (manual switching to another operating mode ) can be used for tripod use.

Design

The design of the EOS system was taken over by the form of the Canon T90, which was designed by Luigi Colani. The characteristic and futuristic for that time the form is up to today in all EOS cameras use.

Eye Controlled Focus Sing

In the models, EOS 3, EOS 30/30-V, EOS 5, EOS 50 -E and EOS IX Canon offered the innovative Eye Controlled Focus Sing ( ECF ) to: On the movement of the eyeball of the photographer, the system recognizes where the photographer looks, and then selects the relevant AF. This feature was not included in the digital models.

Analog models

Canon has the production of analogue SLR models set complete with the EOS 1V 2010. The last new models launched in 2004, EOS 30V and the 300X, but were again withdrawn from the market in 2008.

Curiosities

The first EOS camera, the EOS 650, is recorded while out by the new autofocus system, but did not offer the technical possibilities as equipped with FD- mount Canon T90, which even allowed multi-spot measurement by far. This feature is now found only in the digital top models and was also integrated only in analog systems of the professional class. The T90 was only a year on the market before the EOS system came.

1990, three years after the EOS system was introduced, Canon brought even a manual camera with FD bayonet on the market, the Canon T60, which was designed by the company Cosina and leaned on her own CT-1.

1991 even an EOS model was presented with manual focus. The EOS EF -M based technically on the EOS 1000 ( without LCD and built-in flash ), but only an optical focusing aid had instead of an auto-focus in the viewfinder. They also had the only camera of the EOS system split-image rangefinder with microprism ring as was customary in the cameras of the FD series before.