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

Photography - is there really one camera that rules them all?

I was discussing being a photographer with a friend the other day. Our exchange made me realise that there are certain things that I take for granted that other people might find excessive. As the Dutch expression "doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg" or "just be yourself, that's crazy enough" goes, well, I guess it's too late for that. Without going extensively into what exactly normal or natural is I will assume for now that is it normal or natural for one person to own one proper camera or even just a mobile device to take pictures with. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Last weekend's photo fair in Hilversum 

However, as a photographer I don't want te rely on just one camera. I need to have a backup camera for contingenties and I want to be able to use different formats, be it digital or film. A camera is a tool, certainly, but there are different tools for different jobs and I want tools to fit my needs when I have a certain look or composition in mind. Modern digital cameras can do a lot but I can't help but feel that these all-rounders are like the expression "Van vele markten thuis, maar nergens een meester" of "Jack of all trades, master of none". I want specialist equipment. So instead of owning one, two, or even three cameras I own about ten that I regularly use and about twenty more for special projects. These range from top of the bill digital medium format cameras to simple forty year old single-lens-reflex cameras that still use film. Doe maar normaal? Muhahaha!

So, what else does being a photographer mean? Well, I live in my cameras' apartment for one thing. Guess who lives in the master's bedroom and who uses the spare room. Exactly! In addition to that, cameras haunt your dreams. When you're dreaming about the perfect picture they make sure you stop thinking about the composition and start to worry about what camera to use. Furthermore, they want to increase their numbers. Just when you think you've got enough cameras they somehow convince you to buy another one. This one is special, they would whisper. This one is nice. And before you know it, you're in the camera shop again.

When you enter the shop, the mood of the salesperson behind the counter improves markedly. She meets you with a beaming smile. She knows what is going to happen. Somehow I suspect that she is into it as well. She must have a secret connection with my cameras. After your purchase, your bank sheet is so red it looks like a violent horror scene but you don't care. Happy with your latest buy you get into your old Volvo. As you are leaving the parking lot, you notice a brand new sports car. Business is going well you think, before your thoughts return to your new camera.

So far, I've managed to stay out of trouble. After obtaining the one camera that rules them all in 2024 I really thought that'd be it. I never visited a camera shop again and I managed to visit the Doesburg outdoors photography market last year without adding a single camera to my collection. A proud achievement. But that was until last weekend.

Cameras for sale

Last weekend was the photography market in Hilversum. A big indoor happening with loads of gear. I went with my dad, a fellow photographer. And there it happened. I tell you, these cameras are like puppies. They were literally following me everywhere. So I did what every sane photographer would do: I asked my father if I could take them home. He said yes.

My precious cameras

So now my small collection of cameras also includes a Canon EOS-1 and a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, both in perfect condition. In addition to these I gained a Kiev 60 in good condition. You might see them featured in a future post or two.

Camera review: The Pentax 67II

It's the biggest camera in my arsenal and it still hasn't been reviewed here. What? This is where we change that!

An F-84F preserved at the former Luftwaffe base in Memmingen. The original scan of this 6x7 negative has a 55.5 megapixel count! (since sized down for this blog)

The Pentax 6x7 generations

It all started with the mother of all medium format 67 cameras in 1966. In that year the prototype Pentax 220 was introduced at the Photokina event. This was developed into the first generation Asahi Pentax 6x7 (called Honeywell Pentax 6x7 for the US market) that was released in 1969. This was basically a blown-up version of the Pentax Electro Spotmatic (ES) series with an interchangeable view prism and shooting 120/220 film instead of 135. In 1976 a second generation model called the Pentax 6x7 (MLU) was released, this featured a mirror lock-up system. This was followed in 1990 by the third generation Pentax 67. This featured some cosmetic changes. The fourth and last version was released in 1999 and this is the Pentax 67II. This is a thoroughly modernised version with introduced a hand grip on the right side of the camera body, new digital displays on the outside and in the viewfinder and a departure from the fragile light-metering system of the previous generations. Also aperture priority exposure metering was possible for the first time with the Pentax 67II.

Photo: Joeri van Veen

Specifications

Camera:                Pentax 67II

Built:                    1999-2009

Mount:                  Pentax 67

Shutter speeds:     4 seconds - 1/1.000th of a second, B manual, 30 sec. - 1/1.000th of a second, auto

Self timer:            no

Size:                     Huge! Okay, 185,5 mm wide, 151 mm high and 106 mm deep

Light metering:     yes, TTL auto exposure control

Hot shoe:              no

Battery:                2x CR123A

Photo: Joeri van Veen

Using the Pentax 67II

The Pentax 67II feels like a giant film SLR and it pretty much functions as such. If you were ascending into the world of medium format and already familiar with classic pre-AF 135 cameras like the Pentax Spotmatic or K1000 you'd have no problem operating any Pentax 67 model camera. Yes, it is huge, the mirror slaps harder than your girlfriend when she's mad at you and said mirror is probably bigger than the one in your bathroom but it is such a joy to use. The shutter sound is not too loud and actually very pleasing. 

Photo: Joeri van Veen

All Pentax 67 cameras use 120 and 220 medium format film. These days you'll likely only use 120 film as 220 film has been discontinued but if you are that lucky son of a gun that has some expired 220 film in your freezer you're good to go shooting it with this camera. Due to the way it is built - like a giant SLR - there is no option to digitize the 67II body. Personally I don't mind. With the advent of digital medium format cameras we have those options elsewhere. Of course, you can always scan your negatives and quite frankly, using a 67II like a digital camera is not what it is about. 

 

Photo: Joeri van Veen

With the Pentax 67II you are slowing your photography. With only ten photos on a roll of 120 film you become selective, considerate, almost meditative when shooting. And each time that shutter slaps you just know that it is going to be good.

Photo: Joeri van veen

In the field

As part of our Atlantikwall series Joeri van Veen and I set out for those giant bunkers once again last weekend. This time I brought the Pentax 67II with me, together with the Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 55mm f/3.5 wide angle lens and the Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 105mm f/2.4 standard lens. Below you'll find some images of that photo shoot.

Click on the images to enlarge

Frugal Film Project 2026 - I'll be back!

These are the dark days before Christmas, days in which I muse about my (film) photography plans for 2026. One of the things I'm thinking about is participating in the Frugal Film Project (FFP) next year. The Frugal Fulm Project, you know, that project that shows that you don't need fancy gear to get great photographs. Now don't get me wrong, I love fancy gear. But this project invites you to be creative with an affordable kit. The rules are simple: Get yourself a camera/lens combination under $ 75 and use affordable film, shoot one film a month and share your results at the Frugal Film Project '26 page. The group currently has 805 members.

My FFP 2026 kit.

I've been discussing this with my friends Joeri van Veen and the Old Camera Guy and after thinking it over I've decided that this will be the gear for FFP 2026:

The camera

I opted for the Canon EOS 1000N. The EOS 1000N was released in 1992 as an improved version of the EOS 1000. The EOS 1000N, known in the Americas as the EOS Rebel II, is a no-frills SLR equipped with autofocus. It has one focus point and no in-built flash. Prices are about € 10 to € 15 these days although mine was a gift.

Specifications:

Camera:                        Canon EOS 1000N/Rebel II

Built:                            1990s

Mount:                          EF

Shutter speeds:             30-1/2000 seconds, B

Self timer:                    yes

Auto DX:                       yes

Exposure modes:           Av, Tv, P, M

Film speeds                   ISO 6 - ISO 6400

Battery:                        one 2CR5

The lenses

The lenses I am planning to use are the Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and the Canon EF 35mm f/2.0. I bought the 24-85mm for € 60 and this lens gives me a little more flexibility than the 28-80mm kit lens. The 35mm was introduced in 1990, is a newcomer to the project and was a gift. Its minimal focus distance is 0,25 meter which is a plus over the 24-85mm.

Specifications Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM:

Focal length:                        24-85mm

Minimal focus distance:        0.5 meters

Aperture:                             f/3.5-4.5 - f/22

Aperture blades:                  6

Diameter:                            67mm

Mount:                                EF

Manufacturer:                     Canon

Built:                                  1996-2009

Specifications Canon EF 35mm f/2.0:

Focal length:                        35mm

Minimal focus distance:        0.25 meters

Aperture:                             f/2.0 - f/22

Aperture blades:                  5

Diameter:                            52mm

Mount:                                EF

Manufacturer:                     Canon

Built:                                  1990s

The film

My first thought was Fomapan 100 but as I have used black and white film for the project before I might actually use color film this year. That would either be Kodak Gold 200 or Ultra 400. I need to take stock of what I actually have in the fridge and then I'll decide.

Frugal Film Project 2024 - wrapping up the project

Wrapping up the project 

It is now Sunday afternoon, January 5th, 2025. It is two degrees C outside, raining and the snow that fell last night is slowly disappearing. A good time to reflect on the Frugal Film Project. Wait, I hear you thinking. Wrapping up the project? The last episode we saw was September 2024. Where are the final months of 2024? As it turned out, the September session of the Frugal Film Project was the last I would shoot in 2024 due to other commitments. 

For me the big plus of this project has been to just get out and shoot even when I wouldn't otherwise. I didn't always manage that but looking back I feel that I have shot some nice images and that was fun when out and about with my Canon. The camera I used was a very affordable Canon EOS 1000N but don't let the low price fool you, this is a fine camera and it does the job perfectly. The film I used was Agfaphoto APX 100/36. A fine film, just not always as full with contrast as, say, Fomapan. It worked well for the project and I think I've gotten some good results with it. I also got to know the Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 lens quite well along the way. What I found was that the extra reach (24-85mm instead of 28-80mm) was nice to have. However I feel that it was holding me back sometimes too. The 24-85 is a good lens, don't get me wrong, but I have other good lenses too and it was sometimes frustrating not being able to use them because they fell outside of the budget rules set by the project.

My favorites

As I said I've had a lot of fun shooting images for the project. These are my favorite photos of each month:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

The future

Moving forward I see myself using the EOS 1000N a lot in 2025 and beyond, just like the APX film. I don't think I will be using the 24-85 as much as I did this year. So what does this mean for the project in 2025? I've been thinking a lot about that lately. I could always switch to another camera/lens setup. However, that would still restrict me to one lens and as I stated earlier it is frustrating to shoot a certain image with a given lens knowing that you have a more fitting lens in your collection that would capture the image better. I have therefore decided to take a break from the project in 2025.

Frugal Film Project 2024 - September

The September edition of the Frugal Film Project saw me go abroad. I took my trusty Canon EOS 1000N plus the 24-85mm to the small town of Unterzeil near Leutkirch im Allgäu, Germany. Close to the town of Unterzeil lies Schloss Zeil, the subject of today's outing. 

Schloss Zeil is the home of the descendants of the Fürsten von Waldburg-Zeil and was built in 1599-1614 by Froben von Waldburg-Zeil. In recent history (1945) the Schloss shortly housed the Vichy-French government in exile after it was driven from France.

This last image was shot at the Mindelburg, 49 km to the northeast.

As usual, the film is Agfaphoto APX 100 which was developed at home with Adonal.

Frugal Film Project 2024 - March

I travelled to Lake Naarden (Naardermeer) for the March edition of the Frugal Film Project. For those new to the project, the aim is to show that you don't need fancy photo gear to get great photos so in order to participate you select a camera-lens combo under $ 75, some cheap, well, make that less expensive film and shoot a roll every month for a year. I've opted for a Canon EOS 1000N with a 24-85mm lens and Agfaphoto APX 100/36. I also develop the film at home using Adonal developer.

Wind mill De Onrust at the edge of Lake Naarden

Lake Naarden is a nature reserve in the 't Gooi area of the Netherlands. These former marshlands are the first nature reserve in the Netherlands, established in 1905. Before that, there were several attempts to convert the marshlands into dry land. This was almost managed in 1629 but to stop the advancing Spanish Army from reaching Amsterdam the whole area was inundated. During the reign of Louis Napoleon in the early 1800s another attempt was made, this time by building three wind mills to pump away the waters. These three mills together however did not have the capacity to pump away all the water. In 1883 a third attempt was made and a steam mill built. The costs to dry the entire area were deemed to high however and the area remained wet marshlands. In the early 1900s the city of Amsterdam then planned to use the area as a waste disposal area but local opposition was fierce, resulting in the creation of the preservation foundation Vereniging tot Behoud van Natuurmomenten. It was this foundation that bought Lake Naarden for 160,000 guilders and made it a nature reserve.

Of the mills, the steam mill building and one of the original three wind mills still exist. Wind Mill De Onrust (the Unrest) was built in 1809 and is still used to regulate the water level in Lake Naarden. It is this mill that I went to see.