Test Run with the Canon EOS R (Thank you, CPS!)

Update to my test run with the EOS R. A bit long but if you have popcorn, quite doable. 🙂 FYI, CPS means Canon Professional Services. If you are a member, depending on the type of membership, camera bodies and lenses are available to test.

I am not that technical as you will see from this post but come on, I have shot Canon for a long time so was expecting to breeze through this. Not so breezy. I kept hearing old dog, new tricks for some reason. Just saying. 

And yes, I know, it just takes time to learn the ins and outs of a new camera but these are my first impressions.

I watched two youtube videos on how to set this camera up and followed along - heard a few comments like - 'no dedicated ISO button' WHAT?? so thought I better assign one but after changing so many menu options guess I didn't. Thought I could do the normal stuff but nope.

So off I went to the cemetery as it was on my way home and it was snowing and pretty. 

I could not move the focal point even after setting up the right hand side of the touch screen to do this (or so I thought - yes I was TOUCHING it and nada). I also found trying to drag the focal point with your thumb - like 'they' said was 'so wonderful' wasn't working so well. And yes I know you have to move the camera down a bit to access the live view focus options - touch and focus.

The focal point stayed on the left side and then occasionally would jump across the screen. If I did get it to move (um, I mostly didn't) it also occasionally jumped back to the left side again if I breathed the wrong way.

Then as the ISO was high, I thought better change that and then stared at the back screen and looked at the buttons I forgot to assign. So ISO stayed put.

Changing aperture and shutter speed was easy (sort of) once I found that the dial that changed the mode of the camera could be turned to change the aperture. 

Did I mention that a way around my focal point issue was to move the camera until something got in focus and then change the composition. Yup a new technique - find something to focus on then work around that.

I found the button where you change lenses was easy to hit and I was glad I never pressed it accidentally. 

I also found the main wheel or dial on the back of the camera wasn't that responsive and I really had to push it to make it do anything. 

Thought I had set up that controversial bar that replaced the normal joystick for a couple of functions but that didn't work either. Probably because I forgot what I set it to!

I had to change how I held the camera because I couldn't really change the focus point by touching the screen and hold the camera to my eye at the same time. I know 'they' say an option is to put the camera down a bit and use the back of the camera to place the focal point. Hmm, that is really going to work for me. Not.

Okay growing pains and will look back in a few days and wonder what the issues were as I will have solved them. Just wanted you to know that everything isn't as easy as some people say and thought sharing that is always a bit eye opening. 

Got back home and watched another video to learn about setting the focus and found out there are several ways to do this - found the one that I think will work for me.

I was pretty pleased with the sharpness of the setup. I actually think it was a bit easier to use than my 5D Mk IV - ???? - I was smiling the whole time (well in between the frowns over what else I couldn't work) - love the weight and the quality!! Now to get better!!

Looking forward to an actual shoot tomorrow...something that doesn't move!

This was originally posted to my FB page as one of a series of four updates in my test sessions with the EOS R. Looking forward to seeing what Canon announces officially on July 9, 2020.