Canon EOS 1D SLR Review

The controls on top left hand side are identical to those found on the EOS-1v film camera.

Pressing the two blue ringed buttons and rotating the Main Dial sets the drive mode.

As the labels indicate, using a combination of buttons and the Main Dial lets you set the ISO, AF mode, metering mode, flash exposure compensation and the AE Bracketing modes.

Controls on the top right hand side: Shutter release, FEL (flash exposure lock), the Main Dial, +/- Exposure compensation and the LCD illumination (light bulb) button.

The large monochrome data LCD displays all major camera settings such as shutter speed and aperture values, exposure mode (PAMS), ISO speed, focus mode, metering mode, drive mode, flash mode, exposure compensation, exposure bracketing, selftimer and battery status. The top and back LCD displays are illuminated by a highly visible blue backlight.

Behind the top monochrome data display along the back edge are the Assist button, AE Lock button and the AF frame selection button. These buttons are duplicated on the bottom of the camera for use in conjunction with the vertical grip shutter release.

And speaking of the vertical grip, here it is, shown from the side. The On/Off switch keeps it from accidentally tripping the shutter when it's not in use. You turn the camera up into portrait orientation and grip it along the front bottom edge. There is a shutter release, main command dial and FEL button on the front, the AEL, Assist and AF frame selection buttons are on the back.

The EOS-1D has 10 White Balance settings; Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Flash as well as Custom and Personal settings. Manual setting of color temperature in degrees Kelvin from 2,800 to 10,000K in 100K increments.

Hybrid auto white balance with the CCD sensor and a dedicated, external sensor (shown above.)   White Balance Bracketing captures 3 consecutive images and varies the White Balance up to +/- 3 steps in 1 step increments.

Images are stored on either CompactFlash Type I or II flash cards or IBM Microdrives. Cards or Microdrives are easily removed after pressing the ejector button. There is a very secure latch that must be activated before the CF door opens.

The EOS-1D's I/O ports are located on the left side behind weather-proofed rubber flaps.

On the top is the PC sync connector for external flash units.

In the middle is the remote port for the Remote Switch RS-80N3, Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3 or the Wireless Controller LC-4.

On the bottom is the high-speed IEEE1394 FireWire for transfering data to the host computer. It also allows for tethered operation via the RemoteCapture software.

The camera is powered by the Canon NP-E3 12v 1650mAh NiMH battery pack and is supplied with the Canon NC-E2 rapid charger, a 100-240V AC unit that can charge two NP-E3 packs (one at a time.) A fully discharged pack is recharged in two hours. Canon also supplies the DCK-E1 DC Coupler for powering the camera directly from a 100-240V AC power source.

Canon claims the NP-E3 has power for approx. 500 shots (at 20°C/68°F) and approx. 350 (at 0°C/32°F). The actual number of shots will vary depending on your shooting conditions and use of the color LCD.

To insure that the battery doesn't accidentally come out on its own you have to twist the latch and then press the battery release button. The area where the battery and the camera mate is also weather-proofed.

Not what most would call a major feature, the new wrist strap will no doubt be welcomed by anyone that has to carry the EOS-1D for any amount of time.