I work in a photography retail store and was talking about this with my coworkers after we got the announcement about Nikon's new models. My question is two-part:

1. Nikon's replacing/upgrading the F5. Does anyone know if Canon is planning on a replacement for the EOS 3? Or would they go with a new version of the 1V? I was thinking about it. The EOS 3 is great camera, but it's definitely due for an upgrade having come out in '98/99. They upgraded the Elan 7, which struck me as a little odd since the EOS 3 is an older camera by a couple years. The EOS 1 became the 1N and then the 1V. The Elan 7 went to the 7N. Does this mean that a 7V is in the future? They've brought out new versions of the cameras on either side of the EOS 3. Why not the 3?

2. This all being said, is it worth picking up an EOS 3 now, or waiting for whatever comes out next? Prices are dropping and a used EOS 3 with accessories can be found fairly cheap. I've wanted to upgrade from my Elan 7E for a while now. A digital SLR is still out of my price range, that is, a digital SLR with all of the requirements that I have for it (the Mark II and the 1Ds being the only two). Until I can afford one of those, I'm sticking with film and a digital point-and-shoot. My film SLR requirements have grown however, and I've finally outgrown my 7E.

As a general add-on question, given a 3-year old EOS 3 that's been used lightly, how long would you figure that it'd last? I've been pricing out used bodies and was wondering how good an investment they'd be.

Thanks for indulging my random questions. I know that a lot of you have connections far outreaching my own, so I thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts or hunches about this.

My friend still uses his FD bodies(F1,A1,FTB,FTBN).... they work GREAT :)

So a 3 year old EOS 3 should give you YEARS of use AS LONG AS YOU DON'T BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF IT :D

what needs to be upgraded on the EOS 3? I found i kind of weird that nikon preformed such an unnecessary upgrade to the F5. The F5 is still an amazing camera, nothing obsolete about it at all. What they should have been doing was upgrading the D100 to compete with the 20D. As far as the EOS 3 goes, I highly doubt canon is going to upgrade it because there really isnt any need, and the professional photojournalism/sports etc. market is almost completely digital now.

cheers,
Trevor

I work in a photography retail store and was talking about this with my coworkers after we got the announcement about Nikon's new models. My question is two-part:

1. Nikon's replacing/upgrading the F5. Does anyone know if Canon is planning on a replacement for the EOS 3? Or would they go with a new version of the 1V? I was thinking about it. The EOS 3 is great camera, but it's definitely due for an upgrade having come out in '98/99. They upgraded the Elan 7, which struck me as a little odd since the EOS 3 is an older camera by a couple years. The EOS 1 became the 1N and then the 1V. The Elan 7 went to the 7N. Does this mean that a 7V is in the future? They've brought out new versions of the cameras on either side of the EOS 3. Why not the 3?

2. This all being said, is it worth picking up an EOS 3 now, or waiting for whatever comes out next? Prices are dropping and a used EOS 3 with accessories can be found fairly cheap. I've wanted to upgrade from my Elan 7E for a while now. A digital SLR is still out of my price range, that is, a digital SLR with all of the requirements that I have for it (the Mark II and the 1Ds being the only two). Until I can afford one of those, I'm sticking with film and a digital point-and-shoot. My film SLR requirements have grown however, and I've finally outgrown my 7E.

As a general add-on question, given a 3-year old EOS 3 that's been used lightly, how long would you figure that it'd last? I've been pricing out used bodies and was wondering how good an investment they'd be.

Thanks for indulging my random questions. I know that a lot of you have connections far outreaching my own, so I thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts or hunches about this.

That the Canon equivalent of the F5 is the EOS 1.

The Canon equivalent of the F100 is the EOS 3.

I haven't noticed much in the way of keeping up with the Jones's in the film world lately. It's all about digital, and there, Canon is the best thing to happen to Nikon! When Canon innovates, Nikon gets off their butts and lowers their prices, and/or produces a new camera. Not being a digital shooter, I'm a mildly interested bystander. But it has been interesting to watch.