Canon's Retro EOS RE-1: What to Expect Later This Year

[EvilTed]

Sure - but the question is, but the lens that comes with the camera - if any - how many "retro lens" is Canon willingly to make? Maybe the average buyer of such camera doesn't need many lenses (or maybe it could be just a second body to have some fun sometimes), but this camera could also be the right one to have fun with some old lenses, especially if it is small enough, even if the RF flange diameter is quite large, and can also boost a little sales of the camera itself.

Nikon have 2x retro lenses for the Zf.
40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8.
I own both.
They are plastic crap with plastic mounts.
I never use mine.

My guess is Canon would probably do something similar and have a 24-70 F4 zoom kit lens option too.
The real power will come from lenses like adapted Leica M mount and native Canon RF Voigtlanders.
There is already a version of the 50mm F1.0 for RF and it was reviewed by Gordon Lang with high praise for the slowed down shooting experience.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I disagree. There is a large market for this - just check for Nikon Zf threads with adapted glass.

Lol. Forum posts aren’t representative of the broader market. As a simple example, the majority of people here shoot with a full frame camera. Out in the ‘real world’ the opposite is true.

 

[Uneternal]

Nikon have 2x retro lenses for the Zf.
40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8.
I own both.
They are plastic crap with plastic mounts.

Same as Nikons cameras, I was eyeballing the Zf and Zfc for their retro charme. But when I tried them in store they felt kinda cheap, I don't even know why.

 

[Baywoof]

Not into what was, but if Canon wanted to honor their 70's flagship camera, it would be the "professional" F-1 not the consumer AE-1. I expect the niche category of cameras to be a phase and short lived.

 

[Askeladden]

Wasn't the AE-1 The best-selling SLR of all time? They made millions of it. It is the camera that it makes the most sense to give an homage.

 

[Old Man FL/FD]

... and an official FD adapter that is aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps some built in FD lens profiles as well.

It makes fiscal sense that Canon would rather sell new RF lenses for the retro “RE-1” than have users adapt old FD lenses.

Perhaps the new lenses for the RV compact mirrorless ILC would also “look” good mounted on the RE-1.

On the other hand, IMHO, hard core retro enthusiasts will want to use adapted FD lenses for maximum retro appearance.

I commented on a hypothetical “smart” FD to RF lens adopter in this message thread (top of page 4.)

It would allow AE-1 functionality using FD lenses on the RE-1: Aperture readout, full aperture metering and shutter priority AE.

Following on this idea, software correction for FD glass would now be possible – lens aperture information is required.

The particular adapted FD lens mounted on the camera would have to be manually selected from a menu. This menu section could get quite deep. For example, the FD 35mm f/2 went through six “mark” version iterations.

The lens software correction naysayers might be surprised how it can improve the IQ of 50 year old lens designs. On the other hand, retro enthusiasts might prefer the uncorrected “look” of vintage glass. Who knows?

Canon could get ROI on the smart FD to RF adapter by pricing it similar to a prosumer lens.

Canon could also charge to “unlock” FD lens software correction. This could be one of the first implementations of the “pay to play” business model.

If not in-camera FD lens correction, Canon could alternately add profiles to the Digital Photo Professional app, possibly with a paywall there, also.

 

[EvilTed]

Lol. Forum posts aren’t representative of the broader market. As a simple example, the majority of people here shoot with a full frame camera. Out in the ‘real world’ the opposite is true.

Nikon Zf has been a top seller in Japan. How many sales are to Japanese vs. visitors isn't clear.
If you've ever spent time browsing the second hand camera stores in Tokyo, you'll know there is still a high demand for old lenses.
Canon and Leica especially.
Now, without dedicated research, we don't know how many people buy a Zf to use it with adapted glass but having the option is a plus. I use one adapted lens a lot and that is the Leica M version of the Voigtlander Color Skoper 28mm F2.8. Why? because it is tiny, super sharp across the frame and even with the size of adapter ring and makes for a great, low profile street lens.

What I would never do is put a large zoom lens meant for the likes of the Z9 or Z8 on the Zf.
Someone commented they dislike retro camera because they want modern features and ergonomics.
The Zf has all of the modern features.
I shoot all my cameras controlling aperture and shutter speed manually and float this ISO.
The only ergonomic "feature" I dislike with the Zf is back button focus isn't great for lefties, poking the right thumb knuckle into ones face in way not unlike Nikon film cameras that require the winder lever to be cocked open to meter, with the same result.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Canon could also charge to “unlock” FD lens software correction. This could be one of the first implementations of the “pay to play” business model.

It would be the 4th or 5th one for their ILCs (at least, and that doesn't count the cinema lines). Not sure this one would be viable. There are a lot of FD lenses out there, but probably most of them are stored away in boxes. Of the ones in active use, I suspect many of them are in use precisely because of the 'character' of the lenses so a digital profile to optically correct them would be unattractive to a significant subset of what is already a very small market.

 

[Old Man FL/FD]

It would be the 4th or 5th one for their ILCs...

A little off-topic here...I'm still in the DSLR age (upgrading to a R1 Mark II in a few years.) Which Canon products have had additional payments required for features?

 

[P-visie]

A little off-topic here...I'm still in the DSLR age (upgrading to a R1 Mark II in a few years.) Which Canon products have had additional payments required for features?

Among others, the neural network image processing. All software that needs a subscription (“plan”) is on this webpage: https://sas.image.canon/st/en/guide.html

 

[neuroanatomist]

A little off-topic here...I'm still in the DSLR age (upgrading to a R1 Mark II in a few years.) Which Canon products have had additional payments required for features?

There have been paid firmware updates for select cameras for stop motion animation and cropping lines in the viewfinder. The webcam utility has a subscription version that allows more cameras and more controls.

 

[bf]

I see a few signs, which I don't like:
They are already 2-3 years behind likes of Nikon. They are playing a catchup game.

Zf at the launch was somewhat state of the art for it's level. Offered excelent build quality and several of best features Nikon could offer at a reseanable value. Instead, Canon wants to make a 6 year old body (R6) in 2026.

Canon production quality has been inconsistent in mid and lower end products.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I see a few signs, which I don't like:
They are already 2-3 years behind likes of Nikon. They are playing a catchup game.

Yeah. Like how Canon was ‘late to mirrorless’ and way behind Sony. Now Canon leads the mirrorless market. When the 800 pound gorilla steps into your market segment, it’s not the gorilla that should be worried.

 

[Del Paso]

Yeah. Like how Canon was ‘late to mirrorless’ and way behind Sony. Now Canon leads the mirrorless market. When the 800 pound gorilla steps into your market segment, it’s not the gorilla that should be worried.

Gorilla or Godzilla?

 

[neuroanatomist]

Gorilla or Godzilla?

I think Godzilla weighs a bit more.

 

[Del Paso]

Vintage, why not?
But certainly not the Nikon plasticky style.
I found it interesting to hear Canon executives mentioning ergonomics. Sounds promising.

 

[Uneternal]

And we really focus on the ergonomics of the grip, the positioning of the dials, the buttons and other elements. So if we were to do that with the design of the AE-1, would it really achieve the kind of ergonomics and usability that we need in a Canon camera? That’s the big question. I hear you, and there is indeed a lot of demand for vintage-looking cases, and that’s not something we’re ignoring. We’re listening. But those technological challenges, as well as the commercial viability challenges, are things we’ll also have to carefully consider before we can move forward with a vintage design.

To me it sounds like a 100% confirmation that they are in the design process of such a camera. But it's still not 100% certain if or when it will be released. From what's been said, it could be that they're doing market research and prototype testing. These vintage cameras are very unergonomic and it's certainly one of those challenges (which is company speak for "problems"). On the other hand, they're also going to release bricks like the R50V, so I don't really know what's the issue here. But might be because the RE-1 is targeting a higher segment with potentially bigger losses if it tanks.

In short, its company speak for: We're more interested in designing a good camera that will sell well, that just focusing on retro aesthetics.

 

[John Wilde]

Yeah. Like how Canon was ‘late to mirrorless’ and way behind Sony. Now Canon leads the mirrorless market. When the 800 pound gorilla steps into your market segment, it’s not the gorilla that should be worried.

Nikon forecasts that they will have a (850/6400) 13% market share this fiscal year. That's not much for Canon to worry about.

 

[Del Paso]

To me it sounds like a 100% confirmation that they are in the design process of such a camera. But it's still not 100% certain if or when it will be released. From what's been said, it could be that they're doing market research and prototype testing. These vintage cameras are very unergonomic and it's certainly one of those challenges (which is company speak for "problems"). On the other hand, they're also going to release bricks like the R50V, so I don't really know what's the issue here. But might be because the RE-1 is targeting a higher segment with potentially bigger losses if it tanks.

In short, its company speak for: We're more interested in designing a good camera that will sell well, that just focusing on retro aesthetics.

I know only a few cameras that are more ergonomic than a Leicaflex SL, a Canon FTB QL, a Leica M, a Pentax LX or a Nikon F3.
Yet, transposing this design into digital will be a real issue.

 

[roby17269]

I think Godzilla weighs a bit more.

the lore is unclear but > 90,000 tons, apparently