The last of the DSLR EOS line

[ChrisPBacon]

It’s been a year since Canon announced the production and availability of their last EOS camera, the EOS-1D X Mark 3.

A number of professionals in the industry feel that this planned obsolescence of the EOS camera will be Canon’s swan song.  I, for one, resent the arrogance of Canon’s Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai, believing that professionals and consumers will be willing to shell out tens of thousands for mirrorless camera bodies and new lenses.  Frankly, if I’m going to have to go to a new camera and lenses, it will be a company that isn’t run by malignant narcissists.

In my opinion, there’s a good reason why Canon is struggling economically — aside from the virus scares — and the company has lost many loyal customers.  Permanently.

[Tronhard]

Like any manufacturer, Canon has limits on what it services and for which it keeps parts.  The electronic componentry is a critical issue: one can still get very old, purely mechanical cameras to work and be serviced today, because one can fabricate or mend the materials - just like vintage cars.  Circuit boards in electronic cameras, especially solid state ones, are another matter.  Their boards are replaceable items. The Canon AE-1 is a pretty good example, (it was released in 1976, so that 46 years ago!) and since you brought it up, the electronics in it are ancient and it is unreasonable to ask any manufacturers to maintain and support an electronic technology that is so old. There are 3rd party service centres that specialize in those older brands, many using cannibalized parts from other cameras.

As far as service life of modern cameras goes: Canon have extended their warranty to now offer a five-year warranty on their cameras and lenses - which is pretty reasonable and shows their confidence in the quality of their product, and they apparently will service them for some years after that. Given that the electronics tech changes so quickly, cameras will continue to improve (just as computers do, because essentially that is what they are now) and most people will want to upgrade within that service lifespan.  The same thing can be seen in cars.  One can see purely mechanical cars that are almost a century old being maintained today, because one can approach them with a wrench and a screwdriver, and create new parts.  Not that many of the cars with electronic systems in them are living on when the electronics are no longer available.

So, I have a question for you!   Where will you take your business if you are so frustrated, or is this just a venting exercise of angst?  Whatever, you should be sure to be able to back up your information or you undermine your credibility, as you have already done.

[jrhoffman75]

FWIW, it is my understanding that Canon will not accept a product for service once they no longer have parts available in case they inadvertently damage something. 

[Tronhard]

And it is no less effective a camera now than it was then.   If you say 'we' I assume you mean some of the members of this community and I agree there was a sentiment among some. 

But that was two years ago, and a lot has happened since then.  It is simply that, like all other makers, they have to move with the times and the competition - not to do so would put Canon at a major disadvantage.

So, there is a choice: either stick with the 1DXMkIII, try one of the new MILCS from Canon, or find another brand that continues to issue DSLR models of an equivalent level - but don't look to any of the major brands...  That ship has sailed.

[Tronhard]

As to the financial viability of Canon's progress into MILC tech, the following are the published financial results for Canon for 2021: Canon Financial Results they clearly indicate the state of the company's status.

[ebiggs1]

I very much believe there will be an R1 series in the future. There isn't any rush to have it hit the market while the 1 series is still the predominant camera in the pro world. I can see Canon producing a very long line of RF lenses to match the current EF L models, too.  This stuff doesn't happen overnight.

[ebiggs1]

"And it (the 1 Series) is no less effective a camera now than it was then."

Why does it seem like some folks think if a new model comes out the old one ceases to work? It has been my experience they still do as good a job as ever.

IMHO, nobody manufacturers a "pro" model line beside Canon and Nikon. This is not to say the other makers don't have good cameras and lenses, they do, but they just don't make a true real deal model like the 1 DX Mk III or the D6.

[Tronhard]

Absolutely with Ernie on this: the 1DxIII is as good as it ever was. 

On the R line, the R6 has the same sensor plus IBIS and eye tracking. The R3 is a formidable unit and will take the place of a 1-series for some shooters: it is essentially a sports, wedding (referring to videos by Vanessa Joy), and (for some) wildlife camera. 

It remains to be seen when a 1-series R model will appear: given the shortage of materials to produce the current line, I'm not holding my breath, but there is pressure from Nikon's Z9 series.  In the meantime the 1DxMkIII is still there and doing a great job.

It will be interesting to see if a R1 comes out if it will have a (global?) electronic shutter - under the pressure to answer Nikon's Z9...  But that is not an issue right now and is just me musing!🙄

[ebiggs1]

The 1Dx Mk III is about 2 years old now so a R1 replacement is getting more likely. I am sure Canon knows the life of the 1Dx Mk III and sees no reason to add another pro level camera out until the current 1Dx Mk III users might be considering a new camera. 

The requirements of a camera at this level is different than that of a armature or even an advanced armature camera.

[kvbarkley]

Just for the Record, Ken Rockwell just tested the IBIS in the R3 and found it excellent, giving 6 stops of improvement.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/r3.htm#stabilizer

[jrhoffman75]

1D X releases have been timed to correspond with the summer Olympics. 2912, 2016 and 2020. Prior to that the 1D (APS-H version) was also on a 4 year cycle. 

Perhaps we will see an announcement in Fall 2023. Release in Spring 2024.