Right! I have unboxed it and
no way am I going to be making an unboxing video or indeed
any video review etc.
THIS IS
NOT A REVIEW!
I haven't loaded the battery yet! - I already have several of the LP-E6N batteries already and 2 charged up full this morning in readiness. So this post is just my initial thoughts about it and the RF 24-105mm supplied with it.
Regardless of the yet to be experienced by me performance and anticipated 30Mp FF image quality etc my first concerns were size, ergonomics and physical controls layout, so here goes. Please bear in mind that this camera body is very specifically to replace my small mirrorless EOS M5 with its EF adapter. But becoming part of my camera gear system I have a number of combo options.
The size is just right for my use, small enough to fit my Lowepro Toploader when either the RF 24-105mm or the EF 100mm is mounted. And big enough to give me easy access to the body controls < Something I was particularly concerned about after the my compact M5.
The grip and general ergonomics are up to Canon's usual high standards in this aspect. If I mount it on my EF 500mm then a battery grip would improve handling but only when handheld shooting (not often with that big lens).
The ON/OFF switch is very positive and very easy - Same position as the 7D-2 and 5D-4 but a much more ergo design. I wish the 1DX-2 ON/OFF switch was like this - It's frankly awful and p***es me off every time I use it.
A real biggie for me is the positions of the AF-ON and adjacent star icon button for Back-Button-Focus and Continuous tracking. I can still roll my thumb between them and unlike as some reviewers have reported, the new Multi-Function Slider is well out of the way and to the extent that I really don't understand what they were talking about! So my muscle memory will not have to adapt between my R and 1DX-2 < That's another box ticked and for me one which could have seen me returning this camera.
I usually shoot Manual-mode and so the top control wheel on my cameras are always set to control the aperture and the back wheel the shutter speed - I think this is the opposite of Canon's default. My muscle memory is going to have to adapt to use the ring around the Mode button instead for the shutter speed but as the R is literally half the size and much lighter weight than the 1DX-2, I don't think I'm going to be in any doubt which I am shooting with!
A lot of photographers have been critical of there being no Joystick but that lower wheel in the R is smaller than I thought it would be and, subject to shooting with it, I don't think it will be as bad as people think. However, I think I would have preferred an EOS D-SLR style Joystick where it usually is and where the INFO button is on the R. The Q button being combined with the SET button is a nice touch as it now becomes easier to find without looking away from the viewfinder.
Regarding the square top screen being where you can see Mode changes (as well as in the viewfinder I hope and expect!) instead of etched on a chunky rotating dial, I think this is a positive improvement. Afterall you look down on the dial so why not look down for the same info on a screen. The mode dial has moved around from one side to the other with various Canon EOS bodies anyway, so what's the difference.
At last Canon have properly sorted out being able to very easily open and use the adjustable back screen < There is a good sized recess plus a groove in the screen surround which has been well thought through in its design.
This first R body feels relatively light in weight but the carcass is strong magnesium and the whole feels and looks very good quality.
I have been consciously trying not to get carried away with Canon-lurve and my enthusiasm for a new toy and consequently to keep my judgements as objective as possible. But try as I may, so far before actually shooting with it I am not at all disappointed. I think that having the option to return it enables me to be more objective instead of trying to convince myself that I made the right purchasing decision.
MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE 24-105mm RF LENS (supplied as an optional kit).
Again, not actually shot with yet! I want to take my time setting things up first.
It's not lightweight! But it feels very high quality. The RF lens and body caps are different from the EF ones and not interchangeable and so it might be somewhat inconvenient if swopping between RF and EF lenses in the field. I guess it's a small price to pay for a new lens mount structure and what it can bring to the party.
The zoom ring feels possibly a tad too stiff but I'll judge it again when shooting. On the other hand, better tight than loose (said the bishop to the actress, or something like that). Apparently when a RF lens is mounted there is an option to read the distance in the viewfinder < I like that a lot if it's true (without going into lengthy descriptions of why). In some ways I would have liked to be able to lock the zoom in any position as on the 100-400mm L II instead of only being able to lock at 24mm zoom.
The manual focus ring is up to Canon L lens usual high standard.
The new Control Ring feature feels absolutely gorgeous! Soft rolling notches in feel and I can't wait to program and use it - That's going to be very enabling. Same with the Control Ring EF Adapter I have on order.
The EF Adapter comes with a pouch but it's a pity that Canon didn't include a belt loop on it. Lowepro could teach them a thing or too about bags!
As has been said many times by most of us, we each have our different preferences and needs but I hope that me sharing my thoughts is helpful to readers.