Neil, That's an impressive list and lesson in history. Thanks for the info. I think what Julian was getting at (and keep in mind it's all in fun) was that we already have things to handle focus and exposure with idiot modes to boot. To my mind, focus, exposure and composition are the three elements to a photograph, successful or not. Automating two of these, we only have composition left. I understand the idea of brainstorming ideas and seeing what sticks, but I'm not sure there is a whole lot left to automate of fix in film cameras other than more complex exposure algorithms and faster autofocus. I don't see it as being stuck or giving up. After all, some gun designs (Winchester Model 70, Colt Auto 45) have remained the same for decades. I'm sure the same can be said for other technologies as well. What I would like to see; however, is film to continue to get sharper and sharper grain. Maybe then, I'll never have to upgrade to medium format. Thanks again, JD
> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Neil K. > Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 6:42 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: EOL for film (was Re: EOS Archives) > > > At 11:58 PM -0400 10/3/01, Julian Loke wrote: > >Oh, you mean (in)famous "developments" like barcodes! Or self-timer > >music? Or the built-in intervalometer? Or interchangable grips? Or > >fancy shiny paint? Or a grip extender that's just a bit rubbery > >wedge, with no way to attach to a tripod. > > Smartass. :) For some reason I'm feeling a little deja-vu here, but > here's my rather long and rambling reply: > > Most of the innovative ideas in Canon's contemporary SLR lineup were > developed in the mid 80s to early 90s - either by Canon or following > other SLR makers. Stuff like Colani's curved plastic body design with > big hand grips (T90), modern user interface with logic-controlled > functions (T90), multi-spot metering (T90), program shift (T90), > autofocus (T80 and EOS 650), automated TTL flash (T90 & 300TL), > multiple coreless motors (T90), putting the focus and aperture > diaphragm motors into the lenses (EOS), lithium batteries (EOS), data > backs that can interface with personal computers (T90 DMB databack > and EOS 600 series TB-E), evaluative metering with multiple metering > zones (EOS 650), illuminated top-deck LCDs (EOS 620), focus > prediction (EOS 630?), PIC programs (T80 sort of, EOS 600/630), > integrated flashes in camera bodies (EOS 750), film prewind on > consumer bodies (EOS 750), multiple focus points (EOS 10), quiet film > transport mechanisms (EOS 100/Elan), custom functions (EOS), cross > focus sensors (EOS 1), camera shake detection (EOS 10), dual (top and > rear) command dials (T90 and EOS 1 respectively), automated DEP > calculations (not sure), ultrasonic lens motors and full-time manual > (EF 300mm 2.8 L), infrared remote controls (T90 and, built-in, EOS > 10), ECF eye controls (EOS 5/A2), image stabilizing lenses (EF 75-300 > IS), E-TTL and FP flash (EOS 50/Elan II?) - all this stuff was > basically released between 1986 and 1995. And since most of it came > out with the T90 and early EOS cameras, we're really talking > 1986-1990 or so. I may have a few specific details wrong, but you get > the gist. > > Since then it's basically been about refining existing ideas (adding > more and more focus points and metering zones, making ECF faster) and > making things cheaper (moving USM into consumer products, putting > plastic lens mounts and porroprisms into low-end models, etc). The > only really significant developments in the past 5 years I can think > of are basically improved water and dust sealing for the 1v and > certain L lenses, wireless flash, and DO lenses. (can anyone think of > any others? The Elan 7/EOS 30's focus point selection keys?) I think > it's clear that Canon know that film-based cameras are a sunset tech > and are moving much of their development energy elsewhere. > > And sure, ideas like barcode readers, self-timer tunes, reversible > mode dials, powered zoom lenses, etc, were flops, but at least stuff > like that shows they were trying new ideas. Even dumb ones. Indeed, a > lot of stuff in the 90s could be seen as steps back. Fewer models > with interchangeable backs and finder screens, sacrificing low-light > AF sensitivity for speed, selling cameras that can't accept battery > grips, etc., reflects more of a mass-produced consumer attitude. > > By contrast, it's interesting to see the explosion of development in > the digital end of things. Camera designers, free of the restrictions > imposed by film transport mechanisms, are designing all kinds of > weird and wacky P&S body shapes. They're also finally thinking in > terms of cameras as computers and computer peripherals and using CPU > for user interface purposes, the way cell phone designers have been > doing stuff that designers of regular wired phones, locked into their > Bell System ways, couldn't seem to break free from. Sure, a lot of > random stuff is designers throwing all the crap they can think of > against the wall to see what sticks, but hey - that makes things fun! > > So it's interesting to me and a little bit sad to think we're > witnessing the end of film cameras as a commercially viable > mass-market item. And, just as the complex and fancy linear-tracking > turntables of the early 80s represented the pinnacle of record player > design before the whole market was inundated with CDs, so I think > cameras like the 1v will represent the pinnacle of technological > achievement for silver halide technology. > > Phew. Ramble over. > > - Neil K. > * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
