Eye Controlled Focus...

[slartz]

you can find the form here....

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer?pageKeyCode=contactUsLanding

 

[Alvin Nunley]

Thanks for the link, my message has been sent. I hope everyone does the same.
--
Taking pictures is easy, making them art is hard. (al nunley)
Try not, Do, or Do Not. (yoda)

 

[Loren Charif]

I just got this response; at least we know these requests are being read by humans.

Loren

Thank you for writing to us with your feedback regarding the 7D. We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments with us regarding your Canon product.

We haven't used Eye Controlled Focus since the film cameras, but I can see why it might be useful to you.

I have forwarded your comments to Canon USA through our Customer Feedback process. This process allows us to capture important feedback from our valued customers. As we constantly strive to improve our products and services, your comments are vital to our continued success.

For important product updates, including available drivers and product notifications, please visit Canon's Web site at http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer .

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Canon equipment.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

--
http://www.pbase.com/lorenbc/
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=4994

 

[Silvex]

I have saved mine from the days of my 7e.

 

[slartz]

Let's see who missed this threat over the weekend and also misses ECF

 

[Silvex]

...as to why ECF went away with Canon's transition from film to digital? Was it consequence or coincidence ?

 

[T3]

...as to why ECF went away with Canon's transition from film to digital? Was it consequence or coincidence ?

I think it's more coincidence. They just didn't need it to sell digital SLR cameras. But in the film era, where every camera had the same "sensor" (ie. film) and thus delivered the same image quality, every little unique feature could set a camera apart and improve its chances of being bought. But in the age of DSLR cameras, there are so many other aspects, features, and yes, the sensors, that could differential one DSLR brand from another. But eventually, even these differences amongst DSLRs will become less and less, and will eventually hit a plateau. And at that point, they'll probably bring back ECF, once again to set themselves apart from other cameras.

Like it or not, a big part of marketing is to hold back some features for future models. If the Canon 10D had every feature or spec that eventually showed up in a subsequent model, there wouldn't have been all those subsequent introductions. But manufacturers constantly need to introduce new models with new and exciting changes and features in order to spur sales. Just look at Apple: they are regularly and constantly releasing new versions of their products: iPods, Macbooks, iPhones. Features are added, features are removed, features come back. It's a game of juggling features and rationing features. Put in enough features to sell cameras, but always leave something that can be put in a future model. As for Canon, ECF is definitely one of those features that they can hold in reserve until they really need it. When they start to run out of improvements and changes with their digital cameras, particularly pertaining to the "digital" aspects of the camera, then they'll bring back ECF.

 

[Alvin Nunley]

Still, I want eye focus control and I want it "NOW". Please……….. I think that of those that have never used it; they don't know what they're missing. And for those have, and still don't want it, they can turn it off.
What's the problem??

I hope we can fill this thread to MAX, maybe Canon is listening. Everybody, give us your thoughts.

I went to Canon and filled out the suggestion box. I got a form letter back. I wonder if they pay any attention to those things. My thought; Just some computer sitting in a back room. It's name is, SSB, (stupid suggestion box) or something like that.

Something I’ve had in my head; do you suppose that the laser light hurts your eyes. I got cataracts soon after buying my 7e. I wonder if there’s any connection.
--
Taking pictures is easy, making them art is hard. (al nunley)
Try not, Do, or Do Not. (yoda)

 

[T3]

Something I’ve had in my head; do you suppose that the laser light hurts your eyes. I got cataracts soon after buying my 7e. I wonder if there’s any connection.

No, it's not a "laser light". It's in infrared light that is completely harmless. On top of that, it is of very low intensity, and it's on for very short durations. You probably do more damage to your eyes just by taking a walk on a bright sunny day.

 

[Silvex]

...as to why ECF went away with Canon's transition from film to digital? Was it consequence or coincidence ?

...a big part of marketing is to hold back some features for future models. ...When they start to run out of improvements and changes with their digital cameras, particularly pertaining to the "digital" aspects of the camera, then they'll bring back ECF.

I have often wondered if Canon is holding back for when competition is tight. If so, based on world-wide dSLR market share, it just might be time for Canon to play the ECF card.





http://www.photoscala.de/Artikel/DSLR-Welt-im-Wandel

 

[Alvin Nunley]

They'd have to give up on their memory stick to get me to buy one. Not that I would, but maybe in a pinch.

They make stuff the market doesn't like, (beta max) and they stick with it until there are "0" sales. Their TV's were OK, but not that much better. seeing as how their price was so high.

Their big success, the 3.5" floppy, was only because IBM chose it for their first PC. Most of the rest of the world was ready to go with a 3 1/4" drive. (it made sense, 10 1/4, 5 1/4, 3 1/4) An interesting story. And it was only 320K. The 360K came out later.

I sure hope Canon will listen.
--
Taking pictures is easy, making them art is hard. (al nunley)
Try not, Do, or Do Not. (yoda)

 

[Silvex]

If you consider that Sony makes sensors for Nikon, it seems that what really holds Sony back are the lenses.

 

[c.hammett]

Does anybody here remember the Elan series from the film days (EOS50/30).

I had one like this, with eye controlled focus. It was, IMHO, one of the best features ever. Rather than selecting a point with the joystick, u could simply look on the object u want to focus on, and it would select the AF points there...

Does anybody know why Canon killed this feature? I found it to be superb... and I miss it greatly.

I thought the reason was accuracy with more AF points, but looking at some old specs, the Elan 7 already had 7 focus points, not so far from the 9 populating most of Canon's crop DSLRs now...

I remember the Elan series with eye control, but it would never have worked for me, as well as a lot of other folks I imagine. Some of us with serious eye problems made it impossible to "program" that feature to work with our eyes.

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[slartz]

well - they can still make the feature for those who don't have eye problems
I wear glasses, and it worked great for me.
And you could always turn it off and stay with the joystick.

 

[Alvin Nunley]

Still, if they're that bad, how do you manage taking pictures at all. The EF only looks at the direction your eye is pointing at, not how well you can see what you're looking at. At leasgt that's my assumption.
--
Taking pictures is easy, making them art is hard. (al nunley)
Try not, Do, or Do Not. (yoda)

 

[c.hammett]

I don't remember specifically how eye control AF worked, but it did NOT work for me. I have an eye problem called Keratoconus, which is a corneal malformation and deterioration that requires the use of some sort of hard contact lenses for decent vision. Glasses do nothing for this problem as they only magnify a distortion of vision caused by corneal scarring and a mis-shaped cornea.

I actually wear "piggyback lenses", a specially designed type of rigid gas permeable lens over a soft contact lens to cushion and protect the cornea from further abrasions and scarring. This enables me to have good vision for 4-6 hours a day. I cannot drive at night, and I plan my "critical seeing" around this time frame. The only "cure" for Keratoconus is a cornea transplant, which while being the most successful of all transplants, still has problems with rejection. So it is not something to take lightly. I also wear bifocal glasses over this "piggyback" system to fine tune my vision. Bottom line is that some days I must use my right eye, and some days my left eye to focus the camera, due to fluctuating vision at times. As I recall, there was a way to program the eye control AF for more than one set of eyes, but it just didn't work for me.

Now you know more than you wanted to ! Aren't you glad you asked ?

BUT... hey... I can see ! And that is more than a lot of folks can do. And I don't let it stop me from going anywhere a plane flies!!

And I can still take pictures !!!

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[Charles Chien]

I loved ECF, and would love to see it back since the D30 days. I had been in probably all ECF discussion here but these conversation seemed to never get to Canon, or at least over the years, nothing came out of that. I had purchased D30, 10D, 20D, 1D MKII and MKIII, and now I had been playing with other cameras and barely touch the three Canon DSLR cameras I still have. Every Canon camera I upgraded for the reason that the AF was going to be better... Still I felt something was missing - it's ECF. I am almost giving up the thought of Canon bringing it back... I had an Elan IIe and I loved it, but I gave it away. Hearing all good things about ECF on Canon EOS 3, I almost want to purchase one - but then I cannot stand going film again...

With Sony gaining market, maybe we should suggest to Sony about our need for ECF? Heck, ECF had been out for 20 years - the patent expired, and it's all fair game for all now. With Sony catching up, and its Carl Zeiss lenses, it's going to be really interesting if it adds ECF to its cameras... Maybe Canon will be more inclined in bring ECF back if there is a competition?

--
Charles

 

[rsalles]

Does anybody here remember the Elan series from the film days (EOS50/30).

I stil have a EOS 30e Date (Elan 7e date), with eye controled focus and a date backdoor.

Does anybody know why Canon killed this feature? I found it to be superb... and I miss it greatly.

I don´t know, but mine still works and is great, IMO it will come back sometime.

I thought the reason was accuracy with more AF points, but looking at some old specs, the Elan 7 already had 7 focus points, not so far from the 9 populating most of Canon's crop DSLRs now...

I thought that i was the only one to miss it.
Regards
Renato

 

[tech_head]

I had an Elan 7e and loved the feature.
I was driven to the Elan so I could get this feature.

Yes, I miss it.

I now use a single focus point with my 7d and chose where the point is with the wheel.

 

[Alvin Nunley]

But I think that anyone that has used it, misses it. I know I do.

--
Taking pictures is easy, making them art is hard. (al nunley)
Try not, Do, or Do Not. (yoda)