1N RS maintenance

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Hi Folks,

I am thinking about buying a 1N-RS but have a few queries:

1) Most importantly, seeing as all light passes through the mirror during exposure, how difficult is the mirror to keep crystal clean? How to clean without damaging it?

2) Does anyone have any experience using an RS?

3) Is the viewfinder noticebly darker than the 1N?

4) Is the AF quicker than the 1N?

5) What is a good price for a good condition, little used second hand RS body?

6) Also are there any plans for a 1V RS?

Thanks for your time annd help,

Simon

-- Simon Blazquez (snb198@soton.ac.uk), March 10, 2002

Answers

I don't own, and have not used the 1NRS, but can make a few comments.

3) The viewfinder will be noticeably darker, since 33% of the light from the lens goes to the viewfinder, compared to 66% in the 1N.

4) As far as I'm aware (although I could be wrong), the AF system is the same.

6) There's no point in a 1V RS, because the 1V HS with NP-E2 matches the 1N RS shooting speed, with more capable AF.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), March 10, 2002.


6) Mirror blackout on the 1V is also very, very short. This also diminishes the need for a pellicle mirror 1V RS.

-- GOPETE (pphan01@hotmail.com), March 10, 2002.

Simon:

I was a Canon EOS-1N RS user for some years before switching to Leica cameras and lenses. Here are my answers to your questions.

1. I never had to clean the mirror even though I changed lenses frequently. I do not know if you need to go to Canon service center to do it.

2. I really liked using the camera. It is large and tough and looks very professional!

3. The viewfinder is just as bright as that of the 1N because Canon uses a different screen which compensates for the light loss due to the pellicle mirror.

4. The AF was in some cases quicker than that of a regular 1N, perhaps because of the 8 AA batteries that power the RS.

5. You can get a new 1N RS from B&H in New York City for US$1200. Used ones show up on EBAY from time to time at 75%-90% of the new price. I would recommend just buying one new from B&H. $1200 for a new 1N RS is a fantastic bargain!

6. The 1V has a much improved mirror bounce dampening mechanism. I don't think Canon will introduce a 1V RS. Their research efforts are probably directed mostly towards development of more digital cameras that can use existing EOS lenses. Market data indicates digital cameras gaining an ever larger share of the photography market every year.

I think we will see more camera manufacturers abandoning film cameras for the digital alternative. Sales of both films and film cameras will start to decline soon................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), March 17, 2002.


Simon,

First at all, only buy the RS version if your main usage is sports photography. The RS feature is only needed for this purpose. To answer you questions:

1) Yes, the mirror should be clean because it doesn't swing out of the way. I had my RS checked by CPS twice a year. Did some cleaning with a very, very, very, very soft airbrush in between.

2) Great camera, very good build, but only useful if you are into sports photography or doing a lot of portrait (you can follow the movement of the subject to photograph all time). If you do landscape or still life most of you time buy a 1n HS or 1v HS instead.

3) It's a little darker but as said before Canon uses a different screen do compensate it. Not the best camera for low light conditions!

4) It's as quick as an 1n HS (1n with E1 booster attached) but slower than 1v or 1v HS.

5) Depends where you live. Sold mine for € 1600,-- half a year ago.

6) I don't think so. Most pros switched to EOS 1d, maybe there will be an 1d RS version available on day? I would be the first one to buy on....

Hope this helps. If you have some more specific questions please feel free to e-mail me.

Best, Martin

-- MartinH (mh-photo@chello.at), March 18, 2002.


Thank you all for your help and advice... I bought a 1N RS a few days ago....

so far i have used it for windsurfing shots, great for panning; a fashion show, great to see the actual flash and the instant actually captured, although could possibly have done with the extra stop of light. basketball shots, again excellent to see the action.

from very basic tests comparing to my 1N, canon reckon that there is a 2/3 stop loss, in practice i found that it is closer to 1 stop.

but so far very satisfied and i think that the 1N might start to become my second body...

one thought though, when i attach the 2X to my 70-200 i used to be at 5.6, with the RS thats f8...140-400 f8.. not exactly amazing !

that's all folks

thanks again

happy shooting

Simon

-- Simon Blazquez (snb198@soton.ac.uk), March 18, 2002.



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