I want eye-controlled focus

So with all the chatter going on about the new T1i, new features, and a greater number of focusing points, I had a sudden thought that ran through my mind.

My film A2E (sitting and collecting dust, last time I used it was in 2006) had eye-controlled focus. Why can't Canon implement this technology into their dSLRs?

Personally, I think it would be sweet if they can come up with an accurate eye-controlled focusing system for the 60D.

newton wrote in post #7596375
So with all the chatter going on about the new T1i, new features, and a greater number of focusing points, I had a sudden thought that ran through my mind.

My film A2E (sitting and collecting dust, last time I used it was in 2006) had eye-controlled focus. Why can't Canon implement this technology into their dSLRs?

Personally, I think it would be sweet if they can come up with an accurate eye-controlled focusing system for the 60D.

I had it on my Elan IIe, and turned it off after playing with it a bit. For one thing, I didn't want to have to look at what I was focusing on, and for another thing, my eyeglass kept confusing it.

In fact, all these focus points are just a bother for me. The only time I use them is when the camera is on a tripod and the subject is off-center. Most of the time, I have the camera set to use the center point only.

Rick "who doesn't need 'Tokyo by night'" Denney

I had it on the A2E as well and it seemed to work pretty good. I always wondered why they didn't make a digital SLR with that feature.

I suppose most needing fast AF are keeping AF on the center focus point.

I think it would be good on the 1D3 as I often switch back and forth from the center AF point and the outer AF points.

newton,
Probably because its not too accurate for all users!

I also had eye control focus on my Elan IIe (back in the film days) and it sucked! It just didn't like my eyes, so I see no need for it.

in the nineties it was eye focus today its mega pixels....

zincozinco wrote in post #7597588
in the nineties it was eye focus today its mega pixels....

So true...

I remember reading somewhere that the differences in film and digital cameras result in ECF not working as in its previous implementation (I might be totally misremembering that though). Im sure someone will come up with an updated version of ECF (HP seems to have a patent floating around out there for ECF with digital cameras), and Im sure people will both love and hate it as much as canons old ECF implementation. =D

nadtz wrote in post #7597776
I remember reading somewhere that the differences in film and digital cameras result in ECF not working as in its previous implementation (I might be totally misremembering that though). Im sure someone will come up with an updated version of ECF (HP seems to have a patent floating around out there for ECF with digital cameras), and Im sure people will both love and hate it as much as canons old ECF implementation. =D

Canon has chosen not to implement ECF. Simple as that. It's in some article someone linked to somewhere in this forum.

Well yes, but the why they chose not to was some jibba jabba reason. But again I often misremember these things and I cant seem to find whatever I thought I might have read... so... /me goes to find his meds...

It worked okay on my Elan IIE and was pretty good on my Elan 7E.

The ECF on my friend's EOS 3 worked beautifully every time I could pry it out of his hands though.

The eye control works very well on my EOS 30 as well, selecting any of the seven AF-points, in spite of me using glasses.

Sometimes a camera's limitations can challenge the shooter and, as a result, the shooter grows.

For instance, I ride motorcycles. My 1200cc bike can kill me on the spot, anytime I wind it up. I rarely tax or max out the bike. But it's capable and comfy for two people.

My 200cc Vespa, however, is another story. Since it's "different" (note: I didn't say "less") capable, I'm pushing its boundaries a lot more. I'm balls out a lot more and, with the older-style and less super-stoppy brakes, I have to ride it much differently than I would a super-high performance bike. Some of the most exhilarating riding has come at the wheel of my 200 (though NYC traffic, no less!).

I guess I just think that ECF would lead to too many "That's not what I meant!" moments when shooting.

After practicing with my 1D body for a few years, I realized it HAS eye-controlled focus. I eyeball where I want the focus, and immediately either lock on center square and recompose, or adjust the focus square to an off-center square using the thumb control. I have gotten quite good at it and can do it so fast now its intuitive. I also have an A2E collecting dust if anyone wants it.

Sometimes the best eye is your own which is why I use Manual Focus 80% of the time.

I have it on my Elan 7E. I don't use it.