Okay so this post is all about what I would like next from Canon.
To start with, I shoot Canon gear. To see what I shoot with check out my Gear Bag page.
For the record I have ended up shooting canon gear because when I was at the critical point of choosing a camera brand most everyone I know was shooting Canon. At that time I believe it was a good choice. What choice would I make today? Well that is a good question. Now the people I know are shooting about half and half Canon and Nikon. This is mainly due to adding a wider variety of shooting acquaintances than to brand conversions.
I have shot with Nikon and know that either way I would be happy.
So here is what I am telling Canon now. Please consider my following requests seriously if you would like to keep me as a customer and convince me to not switch sides!
Canon I love your 70-200 f4 IS. This is my favorite lens easily. Not necessarily the most used, but my favorite. The one I try and make excuses to use. If nikon came out with this lens today, and you didn’t do any of the things I request, I would go strait to them for this.
Canon I also love the Canon 5d Mark 2. It is a great camera. Maybe you could have made up a better name, but oh well. Here are some things that I don’t like about it. Later I make a list of things you can add or do to make it even better, or the best camera ever.
- It focuses terribly in bad light. It is also pretty slow at focus tracking. Give us better focusing power in the same body size.
- The memory buffer could be bigger. I am not sure how this works, but it seems to not be a big deal to make it a lot bigger. Do it!
- Give us auto focus on the video. That is the next step.
- Pop a mirror lock up button on the outside.
So overall the camera isn’t to bad. But please give us a better camera on the next upgrade, not just more megapixels. So here is what I want in the next upgrade you come out with for this range of camera.
- If you have to add more mega pixels lets not worry about more than 28 or so. Honestly, it seems that we have reached the limit of how many mega pixels we need for stuff, without more real estate. (larger sensors). If you want to go higher, start up a medium format thing…
- Give us a faster processing camera. I would like a buffer of no less than 100 raw images, or better yet, unlimited.
- Give us at least 6 fps. I would like the option of 10 fps in a small body like the 5d mark 2. 3.9 fps really isn’t enough for a camera to cover all types of shooting.
- Better auto focusing is required. If you want this to be used for something besides sedentary objects we need faster focusing.
- Better battery life for long exposures.
- Dual Memory Card Slots.
Okay so there really isn’t to much I want. I understand that a lot of these features are pro level. That is okay, I just want these options in a smaller body. At this point (21 mp) I don’t need more mega pixels. I want a camera that will shoot these better and faster. Sadly this probably won’t sell you more cameras. So I will never see it. That is why Nikon may be getting a new customer.
Also I would like some other things…
- Give us better wide angle lenses. The 16-35 2.8 version 2 is really nice. Just go pay to use Nikon’s 14-24 design. I want that lense in Canon.
- Give us an updated 100-400 IS
- Come out with an all new 200-400 f4 or similar lens. Yep that Nikon lens is awesome as well, and makes me drool.
- Come out with a flash system that basically incorporates pocket wizard like controls in the camera that can control flashes that have the radio receivers built in so all we need is camera and flash units. It is time to come out with something totally new. This will also allow you to sell extra separate units that will control old flashes, and studio lights, or any other light for that matter. This is good for you. New products that people would really want and be ready to pay for!
- Also make special batteries for these new flashes that will last forever like your camera batteries. This will make me really happy, not having to deal with AA batteries! In fact make them interchangeable with the camera’s battery.
Really that is all. Just start making cameras the Pros want, not what the consumers will buy. I know that this wont happen, but it is what I want and honestly need as a photographer.
Thanks Canon (if your even listening, which we are pretty sure your not…)!
