topic Why the REBEL model naming system? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 21:33:33 GMT

I remain confused by the naming convention for Canon Rebel Cameras. In NZ and many other places there is a convention that seems logical and consistent.

Canon Professional and Semi-Pro Bodies: EOS XD: E.G. 1D Mkx, 5d Mk IV, 6D (problematic) 7D Mk II

Canon Prosumer bodies: EOS XXD: e.g. 60d, 70D, 80D

Conumer / enthusiast bodies: EOS XXXD e.g. 350D.... 750D, 760D

All well and good, the number is logcal and a consistent numerical progression.

However I am totally confused by the Rebel branding in North America that replaces the numerical progression with a dingle digit and some letters:

e.g. EOS Rebel EOS 400d (Digital Rebel XTi ) EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) ... EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) and 760D (Rebel T6s)

This is obviously a marketing decision, but the questions I have are:

Why?
Is there a logical pattern, particulary as regards the three character suffix?

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:10:33 GMT

OK.

The Rebel T6i naming means it is a USA model. There is no difference but it was imported by Canon USA. It is the only type to buy. There is no Canon USA warranty on others.

The 1 series started out with the 1D. Each time it was upgraded it got another letter or number. That is until the 1Dx. It is upgraded by the same naming as the rest of the upper Canon cameras.

The 5 series, 5D, 5D Mk II, 5D Mk III, 5D Mk IV are in the full frame series. The 6D was an attempt to make an entry level FF camera that did n't cost a wheel barrel full of money. Perhaps they will do an upgrade to it and it will be the 6D Mk II.

The 7D series, crop sensor, is following the same basic convention. 7D, 7D Mk II, 7D Mk III, maybe?

The intermediate series is the xxD which is getting a bigger number all the time. 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D and now the 80D. Whether these offer worthwhile upgrades is up tp you.

Why? Only Canon can answer that.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:24:58 GMT

Hi Ebiggs1:

Thank you for your prompt response. Obviously I did not make myself clear, even though I wrote in detail to explain the numbering system for Non-Rebel systems.

If you care to look at my profile you will see what I have and how long I have worked with Canon gear.

I completely understand the numbering system as I described it, but that wasn't my question. WHY does the marketing in North America use the REBEL model naming convention??? It doesn't seem logical when compared with the straight numbering system used elsewhere and I wonder how it came about and what the benefit is.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Waddizzle — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:35:46 GMT

I seem to remember a big ad promotion campaign in the US when the "Rebel" was first introduced. The star of the ad campaign was star professional tennis player, Andre Agassi, who a reputation for being a Rebel on the court.

Is that why they named it Rebel? I doubt it. But, it was a great ad campaign.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:50:52 GMT

Nice to meet you Waddizzle!

I can see the logic, Agassi was seen as a bit of a rebel in the tennis world after all!

Yes,it seems to be all about marketing, they are the same boxes apart from the label on the front. I just am puzzled that they would feel they have to give their North American models that unique designation. But what I am most bemused about it strange alphnumeric combinations that I can never get my head around.

Because I live between NZ and Canada at present I get my Canon bodies in NZ, especially as I will be returning to live there again next year, so the numerical convention is still valid for me. I spend lots of time trying to translate the systems when I talk to my NA associates. I also realize that the Japanese market has its own naming convention too, but luckily I don't have to deal with that one! LOL

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

kvbarkley — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 23:51:51 GMT

I would guess it is to frustrate Grey Market sellers. Canon US is a separate business entity and jealously guards its market of imports.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 23:56:51 GMT

I can definitely see some logic in that, however if one buys grey market product anywhere there is no warranty support for them, even if they have the same model naming on the body. Even if they wanted to use the Rebel designation, why did they not use the name Rebel 400d, Rebel 600D, Rebel 760D instead of the odd alphanumeric suffixes?

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:49:47 GMT

" WHY does the marketing in North America use the REBEL model naming convention???"

Then you glossed right over the answer. It was toward the beginning of my post.

"The Rebel T6i naming means it is a USA model."

"... look at my profile you will see what I have and how long I have worked with Canon gear."

Probably won't with out a reason to.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:54:26 GMT

"... if one buys grey market product anywhere there is no warranty support for them..."

They aren't grey market everwhere just here in the USA. Canon Europe for folks over there for instance.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:01:05 GMT

Hi again Ebiggs1:

First of all I appreciated you providing what was a prompt and very comprehensive explanation, it it just not what I was looking for. I am very familiar with Canon cameras in general, I have used them for almost 35 years, and in the digital sense since about 2001 when I got my first unit the venerable G1.

When I said that I obviously did not make myself clear, I was not being sarcastic. I thought that when I said: "However I am totally confused by the Rebel branding in North America that replaces the numerical progression with a dingle digit and some letters:" I was trying to say that I KNOW it's specific to North America, and obviously a marketing thing. The word Rebel to me is neither here nor there, so let's put that to one side, as I said in a later post, why did they put the rather bemusing (to me) combination of letter and numbers after the Rebel designation?

It would have made perfect sense to me if they had named the models with the same versioning as the most of the rest of the planet, say: Rebel 500D, 550D, 650D, 750D etc. but no, they came up with a different nomenclature, and that is what I am focusing on.

So, what do you think?

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:01:24 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... look at my profile you will see what I have and how long I have worked with Canon gear."

Probably won't with out a reason to.

You won't see it anyway. I guess he has his preferences set wrong.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:26:42 GMT

I hate to break into a private conversation between you, since you did not address the post to me, but I did fill out the material about my background in the biography section, and the help screen indicated " You can include any information you'd like to share with other community members on your profile page. This information is always public and searchable".

So, are you saying that you cannot see that information? If so, since I am brand new to your forum I would appreciate your advice on how to make the biographical material visible.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 15:09:29 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
I hate to break into a private conversation between you, since you did not address the post to me, but I did fill out the material about my background in the biography section, and the help screen indicated " You can include any information you'd like to share with other community members on your profile page. This information is always public and searchable".

So, are you saying that you cannot see that information? If so, since I am brand new to your forum I would appreciate your advice on how to make the biographical material visible.

Click on your name (over your picture), then "My Settings", "Preferences", "Privacy". The first item under that menu is probably set to the default.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 17:16:29 GMT

Hi Bob:

Thank you for that advice. I thought, based on the message I quoted above that the default settings would let my bio info to be seen. Can you please let me know if you can see it now?

Many thanks for your assistance!

cheers: Trevor

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 17:21:37 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
Hi Bob:

Thank you for that advice. I thought, based on the message I quoted above that the default settings would let my bio info to be seen. Can you please let me know if you can see it now?

Yes, I can. And from my reading of your bio, you're going to fit in just fine.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 17:26:21 GMT

Thank you. If I seemed a bit terse I apologise. I am a bit stressed as I waiting to see if tests this morning will tell me if I am going blind.{ 😞

If you imagine how that feels after all these years... Still, I shall continue to follow the passion as long as I can!

cheers: Trevor

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:11:01 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
Thank you. If I seemed a bit terse I apologise. I am a bit stressed as I waiting to see if tests this morning will tell me if I am going blind.{ 😞
If you imagine how that feels after all these years... Still, I shall continue to follow the passion as long as I can!

cheers: Trevor

Good luck; I hope the tests show it was a false alarm.

In one of the Usenet photography newsgroups I used to follow more than I do now, one of our contributors was a Canadian photographer who suffered from retinitis pigmentosa, a progressively degenerative eye disease that inevitably leads to blindness. He fought it hard and came up with various ways to keep shooting, even after he was barely able to see at all and needed a dog to help him get around. I think he was an inspiration to us all. I told him at the time (and meant it) that if something similar ever happens to me, I hope I can face it with the courage and dignity that he did.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:17:26 GMT

It's been rather a crappy year... I got pneumonia that laid me low for 12 weeks, and in the process developed a cardio-pulmonary embolism that nearly killed me. In the meantime my partner was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through the operations, plus two rounds of chemo and one of radiation therapy. She is recovering and working hard to make every day count - she is even growing her own veges and is doing a triathlon!

That was all bad enough, but as she is not a Canadian citizen it has killed her chances of emigrating here, which was our plan, so next year I have to sell up and go back to NZ to live. Not that I feel hard done by, I love the country and the opportunity to live there is something a lot of people would die for.

On the good news side, I have just got my results back. I have got cataracts and they are putting me on a list to get surgery, so I hope to take photos for years to come, and probably spend even more money on Canon camera gear! LOL!!

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 21:11:46 GMT

Trevor I sincerely mean it, I am feeling and pulling for you. It may be small consolation as you get treatment but just remember it.

I don't always agree with the others and sometimes it gets rowdy but that is just how it is. Everybody has an opinion and way of doing things. Doesn't mean their's is the right way or best way but if it works more power to'em.

I don't care about folks back ground but it does make a difference in where you come from. A pro making a living with his camera has a different outlook than these guys that do it for a hobby. For one thing doing it for a hobby is a lot more fun as I have learned since I retired.

Re: Why the REBEL model naming system?

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 21:17:02 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
It's been rather a crappy year... I got pneumonia that laid me low for 12 weeks, and in the process developed a cardio-pulmonary embolism that nearly killed me. In the meantime my partner was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through the operations, plus two rounds of chemo and one of radiation therapy. She is recovering and working hard to make every day count - she is even growing her own veges and is doing a triathlon!

That was all bad enough, but as she is not a Canadian citizen it has killed her chances of emigrating here, which was our plan, so next year I have to sell up and go back to NZ to live. Not that I feel hard done by, I love the country and the opportunity to live there is something a lot of people would die for.

On the good news side, I have just got my results back. I have got cataracts and they are putting me on a list to get surgery, so I hope to take photos for years to come, and probably spend even more money on Canon camera gear! LOL!!

Glad to hear you dodged the bullet! Guide dogs are fine, intelligent, loyal, hardworking animals, but you're certainly better off not having to get acquainted with one. I have cataracts myself, so I'll be interested to hear how your surgery goes. I'll be lucky to stave it off for another year or two.

Does Canada ban people with pre-existing conditions? With all the negative propaganda we get about the Canadian health care system, that's one I hadn't heard.

We'll let you stay in the forum after you move back to NZ. The moderators sometimes get a little snarky when people in other countries start asking how to get their cameras fixed, but I've never heard of anybody getting kicked out. I'm not certain, but I don't think you're the only Kiwi in the group.