LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

It seems that my initial post about my EOS R was well received by several people. So, People, you have now created a monster! As I continue to learn things about the camera, which is pretty much every time I pick it up, I will post whatever I think might be useful to those who are considering buying an EOS R.
Yesterday I spent time exploring the infamous "Bar" that so many people seem to have questions about. It is located high on the back of the body, just below the top display screen. It is maybe 1" long at most. It is not a button. It doesn't slide. It is a small touch pad and can be configured for a variety of functions. Just like most every other button on this thing. It has 2 operating modes: with safety lock and without. Without the safety lock any touch of it will cause whatever the designated function is to change. To operate it with the safety lock you have to put your finger on the left side of the bar for 1 sec. As soon as you touch it a bar will appear near the bottom of both the rear LCD display and the EVF. After 1 sec the word "ON" will appear. The bar is now active and will remain so until it has gone 10 sec without any activity. Touching either end of the bar will make the designated function change. Swiping the bar can also make a change. For example, I currently have mine set to change ISO. One of the menu options is to use the 2 ends of the bar to toggle between Auto ISO and ISO 100. You can also activate swiping capability for the bar itself. Swipe your finger over the bar in either direction and you can raise or lower your ISO to any point from AUTO to max ISO. With only a little practice it becomes quite easy to do this without removing your eye from the EVF. You can also set it so that if you hold your finger on the entire bar the menu setting page for the bar will come up on your display.
I have never seen a Canon that was so customizable or that had so many ways to choose from to perform just about any function. One of the hardest things about learning this camera is likely to be choosing which ways work best for you.
I also had absolutely no interest in mirrorless until very recently so I never got into the EVF vs optical mirror viewfinder debate. I can say that I already am quite impressed with the EVF, to the point that I no longer consider the loss of the mirror any loss at all. Quite the contrary. The EVF is so functional that I don't see how anyone can argue against it, even though I probably would have until recently.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Look forward to following your progress!

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

You ever heard of paragraphs? Your document is daunting. It needs breathing space before I would tackle it.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Paragraph? Paragraph? Let's see, I vaguely remember some teacher mentioning something about them back in the sixties, but, I was probably too busy reading a Hot Rod magazine to pay much attention.
I count 4 paragraphs in my post. Indentation is lacking but I'll chalk that up being lazy.
I don't expect to please everyone, but, I do hope you have a nice day. Just to show my sincerity I am going to head out and look for an English who will rap my knuckles for my transgression.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Glad you're happy with your ignorance. You are not alone.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Ha! Reading your EOS R posts has the potential to be unhealthy for my wallet. The customization feature/dilemma has really come across. My “stuff” is mainly Canon with the exception of a Sony a6000 for travel, which has a number of assignable buttons. I experimented but never totally embraced the concept because by the time I used the camera again, I forgot that I’d reprogrammed a button. In your last post, you mentioned a couple you did that made perfect sense, enough so that I’m seriously thinking about trying the same on the Sony. Most of what I do is with a 7d2 or 6d2. The mode dial C positions have remained unassigned. Keep your posts coming! I’m getting more intrigued about the camera. In your last, I think you mentioned only about a 6 oz diff between your 5d4 and the R with same lens attached? Interesting, that was honestly a surprise! And, at least to me, a positive. I had imagined almost any heavier lens attached hanging down on the body but I’m thinking it must be actually fairly balanced in your hands. Sorry to babble, but really enjoying your user experience. Thanks for sharing.

Haydon

According to Canon Rumors, there is strong speculation that Canon is going to drop that bar in the entry level mirrorless. There seems to be mixed feelings about it's usage. I am not in a position to comment as I don't have a R yet. Probably will wait it out for a while. Thanks for sharing your experience Larry. Don't mind the Grammar Police ;)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I think that is a good idea. However, I would like to warn you against finding an English teacher who is also a former Nun (Sister actually but I do not want to debate the difference between Sisters and Nuns.) They will rap your knuckles gladly, but they will use a metal edge ruler. I still have nightmares.

Bill_de Loc: US

I think you can select paragraphs from the bar on the back of the EOS R

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PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

Another informative post which I will follow with interest as my finger is poised over the “buy” button but the many negative reviews are staying my hand.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"The EVF is so functional that I don't see how anyone can argue against it, even though I probably would have until recently."

I had a film SLR. Other than several little digital cameras I (mostly) gave up photography when work made me sell my house with it's cherished custom darkroom. When I decided to get a real camera for a Lightroom/Photoshop workflow I chose M4/3 for travel advantages. EVFs, as long as they are good, make so much sense it is hard for me to understand the ongoing appeal in this forum for DSLRs.

I see no reason you won't have a terrific mirrorless Canon experience. I hope the new mirrorless models from both Canon and Nikon become big contributors to their financial statements.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

With the EOS R it seems almost a necessity to customize at least some of the buttons. So far, I have come across 4 or 5 different ways just to change ISO. Finding what works for you and then setting up your camera for that makes a lot of sense. With my previous Canons I never did much to customize the buttons. Pretty much any function I was likely to need could be accessed with the existing controls. The EOS R though has noticeably fewer buttons then, for example, my 5DIV. Add to that more ways to control various functions and it seems you pretty much have to customize to get the most user friendliness out of it.
This is all pretty new to me, at least as far as cameras go. I don't doubt that other brands of mirrorless have been doing the same thing, but I am not familiar with them. Once you get the hang of it and get the camera dialed in to your particular style and needs you will probably wonder how you could settle for anything else.
The 6 oz weight difference was between my EOS R with the RF 24-105 lens and my 5DIV and the EF 24-105 L IS lens (Version I. The EF 24-105 L IS Version II is about 4 oz heavier yet.) The EOS R, to me, seems well balanced with the RF 24-105 lens. It is smaller in size, but as far as the handling of it I personally don't notice any difference.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I haven't used the camera for actual shooting enough yet to know how I feel about the bar yet either. Right now we are in a cold snap. 6F this morning when I got up. Probably up around 15-20 by now. I'm sure the camera has a greater cold tolerance then I do! Supposed to get together with a friend later this week to shoot.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Ah, yes! The good old days! I still remember the Tuesday afternoon walk from the public school to the Catholic school for a 1 hr class. You can bet I wasn't reading any car magazines then!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I think a lot of the negativity is because, in many ways, the EOS R is quite different from previous Canons. The sensor is the same as the 5DIV, so that whole performance area should be as good or better. The auto-focus is another area that is at least as good, or, from what I have seen so far, slightly better then the 5DIV. Not surprising, it's a newer camera. Did Canon get everything right? No, of course not. Nobody ever does. There are certainly issues that will be addressed in firmware updates or in re-designs of future models.
I am just scratching the surface but already I consider it's picture taking ability the equal of my 5DIV. I don't doubt that as I learn the nuances of the EOS R my 5DIV will spend a lot more time on the shelf.