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.