Is It Possible Not to Want the Latest Gear?

I’ve had an interesting experience since my last post (more than one, but only one worth writing about). The Canon EOS R3 was officially released, after many many months of rumor. The announcement confirmed everything rumored.

Full frame, completely new sensor, instant on, super high speed continuous shooting, multiple people and object tracking modes, eye-controlled autofocus, integrated grip for portrait and landscape shooting, huge ISO range. Additionally, file transfer through multiple methods, including wifi and network cable directly to camera. And lastly, new connection options in the hotshoe, allowing for seamless connection of microphones and other accessories.

And I have absolutely no interest in it.

Say what?

I am a Canon fan-girl. After trying both Nikon and Fuji earlier in my photographic life, I have used Canon since 2014, left it for a bit and came back in 2019. I love their products and now know I will continue to shoot this system for the remainder of my time.

I am also a nerd and a geek, loving the idea of new toys to play with and new capabilities to explore. I look forward to every new gear release, just to see what the makers have imagined that I haven’t. So how is it possible that I have NO interest in the Canon EOS R3.

I purchased the EOS R5 in 2020. It was a giant leap forward for me, moving from the EOS 5D Mk III. I guess that’s the first clue. A generational switch in cameras often takes a generation for me to settle in. Usually, but not always. My adventures into Fuji-land were a bit more extreme – switching bodies 3 times within just over a year – X-T20 to X-T30 to X-T2. But somehow, the EOS 5D Mk III kept pulling me back. I kept it in my kit, using it for specialty shoots that the Fuji system couldn’t handle (tilt-shift lens architecture and computer-driven focus-stacked macro). It is still the best DSLR that I have owned and still own.

I’ve posted previously that the EOS R5 has been a game-changer for me too. It has opened up options for tracking and high-speed continuous shooting that I have never had before. Its features and functions guide me and help to compensate for limitations in my vision or reaction time as I get older. And it gives me gorgeous 45 megapixel images. We’ve become partners in photography. My partner is very prolific – lots of images from every shoot. I just have to get my act together and process those images. I think I have about 3,000 in my queue right now. Even there, there is not a lot to do – some basic adjustments and maybe some cropping. Artistic effects if I want them.

Maybe that’s why the EOS R3 has no appeal. I’m still on my honeymoon with the EOS R5. No wandering interest yet!

Seriously though, I think Canon has got it right. They are now producing superb mirrorless cameras targeted at specific audiences. The specs of the EOS R3 fit exactly the needs of sports, concert, news and high speed action photographers, especially those who have to send their images to agencies almost immediately. Often, those photographers work in amazingly bad light – the camera can compensate for that too. It is the perfect camera for documentary photography.

Manufacturers take a risk producing specialized cameras. The audience required to justify the research, production and distribution may not be there. They are guessing at future interest. But there is enough overlap between the EOS R3 and the EOS R5 to ensure anyone can find the camera that will work for them. And yet, each is specialized enough to be “perfect” for each specialist photographer.

All this said, there is one feature in this rig that I would be keen to try: eye-control autofocus, which moves the focus point to where the eye is looking in the viewfinder. I’m told that this is actually old technology, improved and enhanced for the viewfinder detail and speed of the EOS R3. I’d say that certainly qualifies as the one feature in this camera that would make photography more convenient for me, a recurring theme for me now. Maybe Canon can somehow introduce it via firmware in the EOS R5? A girl can hope!

Everytime I pick up my EOS R5, I’m thrilled to hold it, and to hear that shutter softly fire. Just like closing a high end car door – it just feels and sounds perfect. I’ve found my match – my photography match – and I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.