What does Canon need to do to get better?

[photoguy6405]

Got back from a weeklong workshop. Canon vs Nikon was about 50/50. I committed to Canon and am not changing... partly for financial reasons... but I gotta admit Nikon has alot of 'little features' that are damned nice and that I'd like to have on my cameras.

Things like a light border around the histogram so you can see clearly how close you are to the edge. Canon has a dark gray histogram bakground next to a black overall background. In poor light you can't tell where one ends and the other begins. Screwed me up more than once in poor light.

The ability to see 'blinkies' on individual RBG channels would be nice.

Stuff like that. Nothing hugely major, just nice little features that help in a small way.

What kinds of things would you like to see Canon add?

[PhotosGuy]

OK, here's one. You know the switch that limits the min focusing distance on longer lenses? I'd like to see another detent to further limit the minimum distance to something like 50'. A custom menu software option would be acceptable, too.

Here's another: The top LCD panel illumination button should also backlight the needle in the viewfinder. With sunlight outside & my head stuck in the window of a car, it's really hard to see what the needle is doing.

[JCH77Yanks]

I'd like to see a pop up flash that could trigger an off camera speedlite.

[gary88]

-Spend the extra $2 for the rubber gaskets and give us weathersealing on the xxD and xD bodies
-Gridlines in the viewfinder able to turn on and off at will

[Ook]

I'd like an AEB mode that automatically took as many exposures, separated by a pre-set (by user) interval (say 2/3 stop), that continued to take pictures until the entire dynamic range had been captured. I'd also like focal length bracketing.

Generally, the lack of flexibility with many functions is frustrating. Especially considering how easy it would be for them to give us the option. My A650 can do many, many things that the 40D can't (via CHDK).

[Quad]

I'd like an AEB mode that automatically took as many exposures, separated by a pre-set (by user) interval (say 2/3 stop), that continued to take pictures until the entire dynamic range had been captured.


I would like that as well but done with one shot via ISO like the WB bracketing (like the 5D I don't know if all bodies do this). It would also be useful as it would cover traditional bracketing but done with one shot. With such clean higher ISOs we have there is no reason to need to do all bracketing via traditional exposure controls.

I doubt the WB bracketing is even used all that much since it can be done in RAW.

[FlyingPhotog]

Ability to program the buttons to do what I want them to do...

[Quad]

Ability to program the buttons to do what I want them to do...

The dials as well. I never use program but would love more custom setting.

I would like aperature rings on the lens but luckily I can live without it as it is not going to happen. Of course they could put a clicky control on the body where the lens mounts for aperture to make it a bit more ergonomic.

[JAcosta]

I personally would like to see the direct to print button made into a mirror lock up. This has been said many times here before and its still a wish of mine.

[Quad]

I personally would like to see the direct to print button made into a mirror lock up. This has been said many times here before and its still a wish of mine.

If you are going to dream dream big.

This is likely to happen only when this happens first:
http://www.standingonguard.com/

[JAcosta]

If you are going to dream dream big.

This is likely to happen only when this happens first:
http://www.standingonguard.com/


Ill see your Canadian Invasion Conspiracy and raise you http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm

[Rudeofus]

What about putting a pro AF system in a body with 40D/50D form factor? Or the ability to use electronic shutter for short expusures in sync with flash?

[timmyeatchips]

The dials as well. I never use program but would love more custom setting.


Yes, I would love more than one M mode, so each saves a preset shutter, aperture and ISO and you can switch rapidly between them. This would be useful for example in changeable light such as concerts, or if you want to alternate between freezing action and getting motion blur but still want full manual control.

[Mike]

I would like to have a control on the battery grip so I can change the focus point without having to revert my hold on the camera to the landscape grip.

[Jim G]

Having a second 8-way joystick so that you can change the focus points easily would be a neat addition when using the vertical controls.

An Auto-ISO mode that works.

Oh, and remove the (@#*& stupid limits on the 1D's shutter speed limiters.... why the bloody hell did they arbitrarily choose 1/60 as the fastest you could set one of the limits to? What if I'm shooting telephoto and don't want it to drop below 1/100?

Better AF system for the 5D line...


Most custom functions for the 5D/50D/XXXD line. Why the heck not? Look at what Nikon's done with customising...

[gjl711]

What about putting a pro AF system in a body with 40D/50D form factor? Or the ability to use electronic shutter for short expusures in sync with flash?
Ditto.. What i would really like to see is a 1D in a xxD form factor. I do not like grips or large cameras. Heck, I would love to see a 1D in a xxxD form factor. That would be a hikers dream camera.

[Wilt]

more consistent and reliable ETTL flash exposure, and Auto mode exposure in 580EXII that matches what all other Auto flash units look like, rather than grossly underexposing!

[photoguy6405]

I like the MLU button idea.

Plus, I'd like the DOF preview button more conveniently located, maybe on the back as well. I keep fumbling for it every time I go to use it.

A DOF preview button on the cable release would also be great.

[Ook]

Plus, I'd like the DOF preview button more conveniently located, maybe on the back as well. I keep fumbling for it every time I go to use it.

A DOF preview button on the cable release would also be great.

I'd like the option of assigning DOF preview to the shutter half-press. I don't use that much

In fact, I'd like a computer application in which you could create custom button layouts. Re-map whatever you wanted. There could be a certain button combination that reset the map on-camera, so you couldn't be tricked into losing functionality etc. We could share our button maps in saved files online. Not sure why the big camera companies don't think that photographers are in the best position to choose what they want out of their personal camera.

[Milner]

You all all talking about nice little features, but none of them make the IQ or photo any better. What I want to see is DROP the MP race and give us MORE DYNAMIC RANGE!

[gjl711]

You all all talking about nice little features, but none of them make the IQ or photo any better. What I want to see is DROP the MP race and give us MORE DYNAMIC RANGE!
That would be wonderful but outside the scope of this thread. OP asked for the doable features which do not require a major upgrade. Improved DR is going to require a whole new technology.

[Rudeofus]

You all all talking about nice little features, but none of them make the IQ or photo any better. What I want to see is DROP the MP race and give us MORE DYNAMIC RANGE!
It should give Canon something to think about that not one single post here asked for more mega pixels ... :rolleyes:

BTW: I'm not sure whether Canon could have achieved better dynamic range for 5DII and 50D if they would not have focussed on mega pixel count so much ...

[JeffreyG]

It should give Canon something to think about that not one single post here asked for more mega pixels ... :rolleyes:

BTW: I'm not sure whether Canon could have achieved better dynamic range for 5DII and 50D if they would not have focussed on mega pixel count so much ...

I don't see any correlation between DR and pixels at all when looking at places like DPReview.

This is probably because all of the cameras have essentially equal DR in RAW. My guess is that all bayer array CMOS sensor cameras will have the same DR regardless of pixel count. It will take a different technology to increase the DR.

[gjl711]

...My guess is that all bayer array CMOS sensor cameras will have the same DR regardless of pixel count. It will take a different technology to increase the DR.
I agree, DR is a function of the technology and not imaging technology, but material technology. The DR between CCD and CMOS is minimal and I believe that this is based not on the technology of the design of the chip but a property of the silicon the chip is made with. It will take a new material or a new design to finally make a significant change in DR.

This new black silicone is very exciting as it is based on current manufacturing technologies and is ready for marketing right now. The designers are claiming minimally a 100 times improvement in light sensitivity which could very well lead to new sensors capable of ISO speeds of ISO 409,600. It will be interesting to see if along with the increase in light sensitivity comes an increase in DR as well.

[Ook]

The designers are claiming minimally a 100 times improvement in light sensitivity which could very well lead to new sensors capable of ISO speeds of ISO 409,600. It will be interesting to see if along with the increase in light sensitivity comes an increase in DR as well.

I'm skeptical about this. The material itself does indeed seem between 100-500 times more light-sensitive, but much of that is outside the visual spectrum (its range is around 7x as wide, purportedly). Also, I've seen some discussion that the material exhibits a high level of avalanche breakdown (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalanche_breakdown), so that it amplifies its own signal impressively, but does it to the noise as well (like pushing exposure in post with no NR).

Synopsis: within the 100+ figure, there are contained a lot of factors that would'nt necessarily be of use to photographers.

However, the sensor isn't the only thing in the chain limiting DR, and we won't just be able to plop this into the current DSLR architecture. I'm not pessimistic, I'm just saying don't start saving your pennies yet!

[gjl711]

I'm skeptical about this. ...
But it's human nature to hope. ;):)

[Ook]

But it's human nature to hope. ;):)

Absolutely! I'm hopeful as well, I'm just directing most of that hope towards solar panels and medical imaging.

I'm more than a little worried about the implications for night vision and surveillance equipment, but that's another story :p

[londonblue007]

i'd like my xti to have all the features of the 1dmark3, but at the same price point and form factor....:D:D:D:D

maybe i'll wait 5 years and it'll happen....:D

[Wilt]

My interpretation of the Topic for this thread is "What is Canon deficient at, compared to other vendors, that they need to improve to 'catch up' to their competition?" After all, all vendors need wider DR, new features, greater sensitivity!

My list of Canon deficiencies, compared to the competition...

Flash consistency of ETTL
Flash underexposure in Auto with 580EXII
Faster data I/O when writing to memory card (Nikon does much better, with faster write times for same speed memory!)
Higher resolution and SHARPER display on LCD (again, Nikon does much better!)
Get rid of 'snapshooter' buttons like Print button on prosumer and higher bodies

[DC Fan]

If you believe the opinions of veteran photographer Michael Reichmann, a specialist in medium format landscape images, Canon already has a very capable, recently released digital camera (http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml) - and it's not what you might expect.

(link corrected)

[JeffreyG]

If you believe the opinions of veteran photographer Michael Reichmann, a specialist in medium format landscape images, Canon already has a very capable, recently released digital camera (http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/stealth.html?c=y&page=5) - and it's not what you might expect.

Your link too me to an article on the service life of the F-117 stealth fighter. I don't think Canon makes that airplane.

[Lazuka]

I'd like their 400, 500 primes to be cheaper, and more customizable layouts.

[JeffreyG]

I'd like their 400, 500 primes to be cheaper, and more customizable layouts.

I think the 400/5.6 is reasonably priced. What I wish is that Canon would come out with a 500/5.6L IS USM lens for those of us that want 500mm but who consider the 500/4 to be way too heavy and expensive.

But....none of Canon's competitors have such a thing either.

[Mike]

I'd like to see a few more lenses with IS - the 24-70 perhaps and the 100mm macro like the Nikon.