Canon 1D mirrorless body: I bought my first Canon 1D body several years ago and now own three of them. After using them I just don't want any other body. When mirrorless cameras came...

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I bought my first Canon 1D body several years ago and now own three of them. After using them I just don't want any other body. When mirrorless cameras came out I told myself I would only buy one if it came in the 1D body, never expecting it to happen.
Canon is expected to release the 1DR, its first mirrorless 1D body, this year. So now Im contemplating on whether to buy the first release or wait on a couple of updates?
I am hoping with the release of this mirrorless camera the current 1Dx models will drop drastically in price. If so I will probably buy a few of them (a lifetime supply) and forget going mirrorless. Is there a downside to buying a camera and letting it sit in the box for a few years before using it? I don't think cameras have a shelf-life.
https://www.canonnews.com/canon-rf-cameras-expected-in-2021

bleirer

I think the downside is Moore's law.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When you know you need a mirrorless camera, you have the knowledge to succeed.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The upcoming "1DR" (or "1R" as some are calling it... but who knows) will probably be one heck of a camera. While there are certainly other benefits, their AF system is what makes the 1D-series cameras truly stand out. The R6 and R5 AF systems have gotten such rave reviews and have been called "the best available" and "amazing" by quite a few critics. Heck, they even have me considering one or more of those models in my future. If anything, the 1DR will go even further with its AF system.

I imagine one of the biggest problem Canons will have with it is getting enough shots-per-battery-charge, in keeping with what 1D-series users expect. That may be easier if the 1DR is relatively large and uses a much bigger battery, the way other 1D have done for years. Canon also needs to keep the 1DR from slowing frame rates or curtailing some of its AF features when the battery drops below 50% capacity, the way the R5/R6 do. The small batteries of the R6, R5, etc. are their Achilles heel. Of course those are being used to help keep the cameras reasonably compact and lighter weight and they DO offer the BG-R10 for the R5 and R6, which helps by doubling capacity. But even with the grip and dual batteries, they still only achieve about what a DSLR can shoot with a single battery of roughly the same capacity. (In other words, the latest Canon R-series are about half as power efficient as their latest DSLRs.... blame the otherwise wonderful and helpful electronic viewfinder).

The "problem" with 1D-series is their large size and heft. I've always deliberately chosen other models and used them with removable grips, to have that as an alternative. But if the size and weight doesn't bother you, there's little reason not to invest in some of the more recent models.... 1DX or 1DX Mark II or, best of all, 1DX Mark III.

EXCEPT one concern I'd have is if the camera's internal "clock" batteries are user-replaceable, the way they used to be in other, older models. The last two or three generations of non-1D-series models have done away with this feature. They appear to use a permanent, internal power source that recharges from the main battery. I don't know... If a camera is left unused on a shelf for some years, might that internal battery may go bad and need replacement? It would be no problem if it were user-replaceable. But that's not the case with most of many (all?) recent camera models. If the same is true of the later or latest 1DX-series, should it go bad I imagine it would require a teardown of the camera by a service facility to replace that battery. Depending upon how long ago the camera was discontinued, there may be concerns about replacement parts availability, too. I don't know the cost or details of that job. But it's something to think about and research or ask Canon about. Cameras may not have a "shelf life"... but the batteries they use certainly do! It's possible a main battery that sits unused for some years may need replacement, too. But since that's clearly user-interchangeable it wouldn't be a problem, so long as replacements are available.

I'm mostly just concerned about the internal "time/date/data" battery that insures settings are retained when the camera is turned off or the main battery is removed. I had a camera with a bad "clock" battery that kept losing ALL the settings every time it was powered down for any reason. Eventually I was able to find a replacement for that battery and solve the problem. But in the meantime it was a PITA to have to reset EVERYTHING each time the camera was powered up to use.

Besides the battery, there also are lubricants that can dry out and may be light seals that degrade over time. So a camera sitting on a shelf for years at a time might need service before it can be used.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

amfoto1 wrote:

The upcoming "1DR" (or "1R" as some are calling it... but who knows) will probably be one heck of a camera. While there are certainly other benefits, their AF system is what makes the 1D-series cameras truly stand out. The R6 and R5 AF systems have gotten such rave reviews and have been called "the best available" and "amazing" by quite a few critics. Heck, they even have me considering one or more of those models in my future. If anything, the 1DR will go even further with its AF system.

I imagine one of the biggest problem Canons will have with it is getting enough shots-per-battery-charge, in keeping with what 1D-series users expect. That may be easier if the 1DR is relatively large and uses a much bigger battery, the way other 1D have done for years. Canon also needs to keep the 1DR from slowing frame rates or curtailing some of its AF features when the battery drops below 50% capacity, the way the R5/R6 do. The small batteries of the R6, R5, etc. are their Achilles heel. Of course those are being used to help keep the cameras reasonably compact and lighter weight and they DO offer the BG-R10 for the R5 and R6, which helps by doubling capacity. But even with the grip and dual batteries, they still only achieve about what a DSLR can shoot with a single battery of roughly the same capacity. (In other words, the latest Canon R-series are about half as power efficient as their latest DSLRs.... blame the otherwise wonderful and helpful electronic viewfinder).

The "problem" with 1D-series is their large size and heft. I've always deliberately chosen other models and used them with removable grips, to have that as an alternative. But if the size and weight doesn't bother you, there's little reason not to invest in some of the more recent models.... 1DX or 1DX Mark II or, best of all, 1DX Mark III.

EXCEPT one concern I'd have is if the camera's internal "clock" batteries are user-replaceable, the way they used to be in other, older models. The last two or three generations of non-1D-series models have done away with this feature. They appear to use a permanent, internal power source that recharges from the main battery. I don't know... If a camera is left unused on a shelf for some years, might that internal battery may go bad and need replacement? It would be no problem if it were user-replaceable. But that's not the case with most of many (all?) recent camera models. If the same is true of the later or latest 1DX-series, should it go bad I imagine it would require a teardown of the camera by a service facility to replace that battery. Depending upon how long ago the camera was discontinued, there may be concerns about replacement parts availability, too. I don't know the cost or details of that job. But it's something to think about and research or ask Canon about. Cameras may not have a "shelf life"... but the batteries they use certainly do! It's possible a main battery that sits unused for some years may need replacement, too. But since that's clearly user-interchangeable it wouldn't be a problem, so long as replacements are available.

I'm mostly just concerned about the internal "time/date/data" battery that insures settings are retained when the camera is turned off or the main battery is removed. I had a camera with a bad "clock" battery that kept losing ALL the settings every time it was powered down for any reason. Eventually I was able to find a replacement for that battery and solve the problem. But in the meantime it was a PITA to have to reset EVERYTHING each time the camera was powered up to use.

Besides the battery, there also are lubricants that can dry out and may be light seals that degrade over time. So a camera sitting on a shelf for years at a time might need service before it can be used.

The upcoming "1DR" (or "1R" as... (show quote)

Thank you. You gave me a few things to think about.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

jim quist wrote:

I bought my first Canon 1D body several years ago ... (show quote)

Camera's don't have a shelf life but technology continues to move forward, why would you want to pay today's prices for yesterday's technology, that is in effect what you would be doing. As far as the mirrorless, I imagine that after the R, the R5, and soon to be released RF, and R7, not to mention the M series, that Canon will have a pretty good handle on the mirrorless format. Personally I have an R5 and had an R, the R was definitely my go to camera for everything other than wildlife or sports, the R5 is my go to camera for everything as it has been substantially improved. There are some quirks, but so far they are minor.

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

Jim..... You asked the following question:

-------------------
Is there a downside to buying a camera and letting it sit in the box for a few years before using it? I don't think cameras have a shelf-life.

-------------------

I would offer the following observation... Although a camera may NOT have what you call a 'shelf-life' -- Over time, they will actually come to what Canon calls the: "End of Life" for service by them as a repair/manufacturer...

I ran into this problem last year when I sent them my EF 600mm f/4 Mod I to Canon CPS in Virginia, and they kindly told me they would not even consider 'opening it up' and doing any kind of examination... So, I told them to just do the CMS and, then return it to me... Yes, I had to have a local guy in the Tampa Bay area to do the examination and found that I actually did NOT have any problems...

The above is just information for your consideration

Cheers
GeoVz
####

leftj Loc: Texas

jim quist wrote:

I bought my first Canon 1D body several years ago ... (show quote)

You clearly have plenty of money given your current flock of 1Ds so why not buy the first 1DR. When the upgrades are released you can just buy them as well. De-lima solved.

User ID

Blurryeyed wrote:

Camera's don't have a shelf life but technology continues to move forward, why would you want to pay today's prices for yesterday's technology, ..........

The reason is that it’s a reeeeeally good deal. Being a scavenger myself, “today’s prices for yesterday’s tech” is a win-win deal. Why would you have any problem with that ??? Last thing you wanna do is pay today’s prices for today’s tech.

Yesterday’s tech at yesterday’s prices is also wretched. Why pay yesterday’s $3500 price, when the very same $3500 camera is $1200 today ???

3 to 5 yr old tech is still fantastic and the price difference is great. Today, $1000 +\- $200 will buy yesterday’s $3000 to $4000 top tech. Clearly, ”today’s prices for yesterday’s tech” is THE best buy.

Acoarst I’d be cutting my own throat to recommend Scavenger Economics to those with deep pockets and a need to be early adopters. SOMEbody hasta feed the pipeline from the front.

I thank the early adopters for not only feeding the pipeline but also for their encouraging competitive development, so that my next 4 yr old camera will be a worthwhile upgrade from my current 4 yr old camera.

So YES !!!! Buy early and buy often ... if you can easily do so. We love you for it (we scavengers, that is).

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

User ID wrote:

The reason is that it’s a reeeeeally good deal. Be... (show quote)

Well, I know one of your recent purchases, I hope you are enjoying it.

John Hicks Loc: Sible Hedinham North Essex England

One thing I have learnt is that if you have set your heart on buying a particular make and model and then you don't you will never be happy

leftj Loc: Texas

John Hicks wrote:

One thing I have learnt is that if you have set your heart on buying a particular make and model and then you don't you will never be happy

So true.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

John Hicks wrote:

One thing I have learnt is that if you have set your heart on buying a particular make and model and then you don't you will never be happy

Thank you, I think I needed to hear that.