Camera review: The Canon EOS-1

This camera review is about the Canon EOS-1: the original influencer.

My Canon EOS-1 shot with my Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, monochrome setting

Time for something new

With the advent of autofocus in the 1980s Canon developed an autofocus system that introduced a brand new lens mount: the EF mount. But that was not the only thing they changed. Their autofocus cameras also gained a new look. All black with a polycarbonate outer finish over a diecast aluminium frame. Whilst the first EOS models were still a bit square this all changed  with the introduction of the EOS-1 in 1989. Canon's first professional autofocus camera was designed by Luigi Colani, a German industrial, automotive and aviation designer. Colani also designed the Canon T90, the last manual focus pro-camera Canon built, three years earlier.

Gone was the box-like structure of earlier cameras. In fact, the EOS-1 design was the basis for Canon's flagship camera designs for decades. Starting with the EOS-1 the design was also used for the EOS-1N and EOS-1V film cameras and the entire EOS-1D series digital cameras, ending with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III that was introduced in 2020. Talk about being an influencer in camera design!

EOS-1, front (with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM fitted)

So when you pick up an EOS-1 it just feels, well, contemporary. This is a 37 year old camera that will never look old, even in a world where digital has replaced film. As long as you don't see the back of the EOS-1 it looks like a modern-day DSLR. And the fun thing is that you can use any EF mount lens on it, also those that were built years after this camera was introduced.

EOS-1, back

The Canon EOS-1 was built from 1989 until 1994 when it was replaced by the EOS-1N as Canon's flagship camera.

Specifications

Camera:                Canon EOS-1

Built:                    1989-1994

Mount:                  Canon EF

Shutter speeds:     30 seconds - 1/8.000th of a second, B

Self timer:            yes

Size:                     161 mm wide, 107 mm high and 72 mm deep

Weight:                890 gram with battery

Light metering:     yes, TTL 

Hot shoe:              yes

Battery:                2CR5

Frame rate:          2.5 seconds per frame without the booster grip, 5.5 seconds with the grip

Camera manual:   click here (PDF)

Shooting

I obtained my EOS-1 at the photography fair in Hilversum a few weeks ago. My example looks pristine and came without the power drive booster E1. I find it a joy to use.

Me shooting with my EOS-1. Photo: Joeri van Veen.

Something to keep in mind is that  the EOS-1 series has a few design features that are exclusive to this series. I cut my digital teeth on the EOS-1D Mark II so I've become quite used to it, but this might be something to get used to if you've never shot with an EOS-1 series camera before. There is no dial to select the shooting mode, change ISO, activate the self timer etc., these are all done by pressing a combination of buttons on the upper left side of the camera. 

There are also eight custom functions if you'd like to change the way the camera operates. I've activated F-2, film leader out for instance. This leaves the film leader outside the case after rewinding. Quite useful when you're developing your film at home. You can switch the focusing screen if you want, seven interchangeable focusing screens are available. I've never attempted to change a focusing screen but screen B - new split would be very handy when shooting manual focus lenses.

The one thing that really shows the age of the EOS-1 is the sole focus point in the centre of the frame. Whilst groundbreaking at the time it was introduced it is a far cry from the 45-point autofocus of the EOS-1V and the digital EOS-1D series that followed it. I don't mind but I can imagine it could feel somewhat limiting when you're used to a more advanced autofocus system.

In the field

Cougar! Read more about her here.

Sherman bunker, IJssellinie (IJssel defence line)

Flowers

Naarden-Vesting

All shots shown here were taken with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens fitted to my EOS-1 on Agfaphoto APX 400/36 film. 

Conclusion

All in all I am quite happy with my Canon EOS-1. It still is a very usable film camera that is compatible with all the EF mount lenses out there and - with the exception of the single focus point perhaps - still feels remarkable modern. Recommended!

Click on the photos to enlarge

Achtung Panzer - Ede's liberator

The city of Ede in the Netherlands was liberated on April 17th, 1945. To commemorate this fact, a Sherman tank was placed at the outskirts of Ede as a memorial in 1990.

Cougar, shot with a Canon EOS-1 fitted with a 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens and loaded with Agfaphoto APX 400 black and white film.

The war diary of the OKW (Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht) [Armed forces high command, the supreme German military command and control staff during World War Two] reports on Monday, the 16th of April 1945: "Fortgang der kämpfe um die "Festung Holland"... an der Rheinfront noch Rühe" [progress on the battle of the "Citadel Holland"... quiet on the Rhine front]. In fact, that day the first Canadian tanks of the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade, part of the British 49th 'Polar Bear' Infantry Division roll towards Ede.

In the early evening of the 16th of April, 1945 the 147th Brigade of the 49th Infantry Division is tasked to liberate Ede. The brigade consists of three batallions: The 11th battalion 'The Royal Scots Fusiliers', the 1st battalion 'The Leicestershire Regiment' and the 7th battalion 'The duke of Wellington's Regiment'. The 147th Brigade is supported by the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade and A and C Squadrons, the 11th Regiment 'The Ontario Regiment' and A and C Squadrons of the 14th Regiment 'The Calgary Regiment' are tasked to support the drive towards Ede. Every Squadron consists of twenty Sherman tanks.

Canon EOS-1, 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Agfa APX 400

Ede is but one of several targets in the Veluwe area and the task of capturing Ede itself is given to the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the supporting Squadrons from the Calgary Regiment. They leave Arnhem at 18:00 hours, C Squadron with their Sherman tanks in the lead. After a few skirmishes they stop at dusk, around 21:00 hours. The advance along the N224 highway to Ede will continue tomorrow.

Fuji GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4, Acros film simulation

The next day the war diary of the OKB reports on the British-Canadian actions: "Bei Arnheim erweiterte der gegner seinen Brückenkopf und gelangte über die Strasse nach Appeldoorn [sic]" [The enemy extended their bridgehead at Arnhem and reached Apeldoorn over the (N224) highway]. At 05:00 hours the advance towards Ede continues, again with C Squadron in the lead. At around 06:00 hours a small battle erupts at the Drieberg hill which overlooks the N224. This needs to be taken before the Royal Scots Fusiliers can advance further. After an artillery barrage Shermans from C Squadron roll up the hill and capture two German anti-tank cannons with their crews, members of the 34. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division "Landstorm Nederland "[34th SS volunteer Grenadier Division "Landstorm Nederland"], Dutchmen fighting for Germany. After taking the hill the allies advance over the Ginkelse Heide towards the Simon Stevin barracks just outside of Ede. Here they join battle with the 34th SS Division. C Squadron comes into action again, dispatching four Sherman tanks. Two of these are regular Sherman V tanks armed with a 75mm gun, the other two are Sherman IB tanks equipped with a 105mm howitzer gun. In the fighting at and around the barracks the Sherman IB's are in their element. 

After this engagement the tanks advance to Ede. As part of the N224 is blocked the tanks advance via the Arnhemseweg before they reach the N224 again. Now this part of the force splits up, one part follows the Arnhemseweg towards the centre of Ede, the other part follows the N224 before turning towards the centre of town. The first allied Sherman tanks roll into Ede.

Fujifilm GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4

It is at this location that we meet our Sherman tank 81 years later. Named Cougar, she looks brand new. She was fully restored in Delft in 2022-2024 and relocated from her old location at the roundabout on the N224 to her current location close by. 

This Sherman tank is displayed in the markings of a tank from C Squadron, 14th Regiment 'The Calgary Regiment'. It represents the tank used by Captain Davies and his crew. Davies and his crew drove a regular Sherman V tank. This tank however is an M4(105) 105mm howitzer equipped version. This tank was built by Chrysler with construction number 57562 and US Army serial number 30104244. The tank was part of the tank fleet of the Royal Dutch Army after the war and was stored at Soesterberg before it was donated to Ede. 

Fujifilm GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4

From 1990 to 2022 it was marked as T212125 with the number 13 in a green circle on the turret. It was however discovered that these markings were incorrect and it was decided to change her markings to 31 in a blue circle. It kept serial number T212125 and the name Cougar. Why Cougar? All tanks of C Squadron had a name beginning with a C, hence the choice for Cougar.

Click on the images to enlarge