sean_haggerty1

Michael,

Thank you for stating for me the design criteria that Canon had

established when setting out to design the new 1V. Given that

criteria, I believe Canon did an acceptable job of meeting the design

objectives (what engineers term to be constraints). Hopefully camera

manufacturers will use professionals' input as mere guidance (they

probably do already) and not as actual design constraints. The

problem with using professionals' input as constraints is that the

constraints are usually limited to what the professional has seen

already--thus potentially limiting creativity and innovation. I am

not certain, but this may be a case of setting constraints too tightly

formed around what the professionals requested? What do you think?

<p>

Also note, I don't think that the EOS 1V is a failure, just not the

revolution that I was hoping to see. Regards, Sean

Michael, forgive me if my emotions bled through slightly... ;-)

<p>

To ALL: I am NOT trying to start another Canon vs. Nikon War: I hope

that was clear enough through my complimentary attitude towards the

things that Canon has done well. I also do (and did, I thought)

acknowledge that Canon is indeed an innovative company. Therein lies

my disappointment with the release of this body: The photographic

world has waited for over 4 years for the release of this new body and

Canon has already proven (as you pointed out Michael) that it is

indeed innovative, when it wants to be. My comments relating to

technological strategy (implied in my position) are not unfounded but

come from an understanding of what it means to lead, follow and be an

outsider in terms of technological development and management from the

standpoint of business or entreprenuer.

<p>

My only point was that I, for one, was disappointed to see this

opportunity for major technological advancement pass by with such

passivity. Oh well, perhaps Nikon will glide as well whenever the F6

is released--we all know that wouldn't be a first! ;-)

<p>

Take care and don't take my statements as personal attacks--we are all

in the same photographic boat together, after all. I really believe

that one of the two brands is not better than the other: they just

offer different tools for us to use! Sean

Although I'm not a Canon user, I've been waiting to see what Canon's

response would be to Nikon's F5 (as has everyone else, I'm sure).

While the introduction of the new EOS 1V will bring some badly lacking

features to the Canon body lineup (computer link and at least the

availability to shoot at a higher frame rate---up to 10 fps, for

example), I really feel the whole introduction of this body is rather

anticlimatic. Please, here me out...

<p>

Many of these features that are being made available to Canon users

with this body have been available now to Nikon users (via the F5) for

over FOUR years now! Canon's only reply by introducing the 1V seems

to be just getting the Canon body options up to where Nikon has been.

Please be patient with me, I'm not trying to rip on Canon users--you

have a LOT of VERY NICE lenses and features available to you. My

point is the following: Canon has had over FOUR YEARS to contemplate

the Nikon Flagship body--to disect it, test it, find its flaws, find

its strong points--and all it has to offer in the 'new' 1V is

basically a souped up EOS3 with many badly lacking features that Nikon

has already had available as well as a "we now offer the fastest*

framing rate camera" (*under certain conditions only) by presenting a

framing rate of 10 fps body. In my opinion, Canon has just passed up

a prime opportunity to beat Nikon hands down in the line of

photographic equiptment.

<p>

I say that Canon has passed up this opportunity because they haven't

implemented major new advances for the photographic world in this new

body. I was really hoping to see truely new technology being made

available for the photographer to utilize. When the Nikon F5 was

released, it DID revolutionize camera bodies, with its speed, AF

system, 3D COLOR matrix metering (still no attempt to further or

perfect that technology Canon?), computer interface, etc.. Canon, you

were foolish to let Nikon live in this case. Your opportunity was

ripe and you chose to glide. Perhaps I would have converted at the

introduction of a truely revolutionizing body to match your excellent

lens lineup. However, Nikon seems to finally be introducing lenses

that not only admit that they (Nikon)have been lazy in the lens

department, but are making an attempt to further the technology

(specifically Image Stabilization in this case) available to

photographers--not just following. An example of this can be seen

in the fact that Nikon is claiming an additional stop of

hand-holdability over the Canon lenses. Nikon seems to truely be

following in the lens department--however, at least they are trying to

wisely improve upon the innovations that Canon is offering. I can't,

with any confidence, say the same regarding Canon in regard to the new

1V body.

<p>

To date, Canon has only made an attempt to 'one-up' (basically

one-feature at a time) Nikon's revolutionizing body. For example, EOS

3's supposed faster and more sure footed autofocus acquisition speed

(when limiting the F5's framing rate to the same as the EOS 3's)--as

reported by MR. Kwok's comparison article between the two (My question

to Mr. Kwok (that he wouldn't post on his review site)--Is the F5

REALLY operating at its full capacity when you purposefully slow down

its framing rate--after all, with a higher framing rate, less focus

adjustment would need to be made in between frames, so how on earth

can you say that the hit rate percentage of the Nikon (NOT operating

in optimized conditions) is accurate and claim those victories for

Canon?) over the F5? Anyway, my challenge to the Canon Corporation:

Introduce something revolutionizing in terms of camera bodies and

convince ALL Nikon users to make the switch. Don't think that finally

introducing features like a metal body, fast(er?) film advance rate,

and a computer linking interface, are revolutionary--their not, their

merely reactionary! Canon user's, you have a lot going for you in

terms of an overall system but, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel

awefully let down. Demand a truely revolutionizing body that will

stun ALL photographers--Nikon did it 4 years ago, proving it is

possible. Technology has come a long way in the last four years, why

hasn't Canon utilized it in their Bodies? Sean