Precisely 22 years ago, Canon used technology in cameras which was much ahead of its time. Something like, eye-controlled autofocus. The camera’ s viewfinder was intelligent enough to understand where your eye has focused on the frame of view and it will activate the focus point of the camera to focus on the subject! It would be really surprising that Canon used such high technologies and introduced a camera in the market as early as in 1992. Considering this, EOS 5 (a.k.a. – EOS A2/ A2E in US/EU markets) is the first eye-controlled AF camera in the world. Later, Canon introduced EOS 3, another eye controlled AF camera with more advanced options. Strangely, EOS-5/A2E can be considered as one of the longest serving EOS SLR model introduced thus far. Originally debuted back in November, 1992 and it has survived all the way to February, 2000 before eventually retired from service – it has superseded an entire generation of the professional EOS-1n (1994) to EOS-1v (2000).
From my collection। EOS 5 – World’ s first “Eye-controlled” Autofocus Film SLR (1992 – 2000)
Canon Camera Museum describes EOS 5 in their website as:
The EOS 5 is the world’ s first 35mm SLR camera with Eye Controlled Focus. The camera has five focusing points (। । +। । ). You just look at the desired focusing point to select it and the camera autofocuses at that point. It was a dream feature. A focusing point can also be selected manually.
I got this camera from a seller of ebay in excellent condition with a vertical grip attached. What won my heart immediately is the fantastic ergonomics of the camera – it can easily become extension of your hand without a molecule of uneasiness. Frankly speaking, I am yet to come across any camera which has such well laid out controls and contours.
I attached my EF 40mm F2.8 STM lens in the body and looked through the viewfinder. The viewfinder is clean and bright, the lens focused without hesitation and locked on subject. I wanted to test the eye controlled AF but apparently the camera was then not calibrated for that. I dived into the PDF manual, which I downloaded few days ago. The calibration setting exercise was effortless and I trained the camera to track my pupil in not more than 5 minutes. EOS 5 worked flawlessly to track and lock focus on areas where I focused my eye through five horizontally placed AF points. Every focusing was confirmed with a gentle beep.
EF 40mm F2.8 STM is one of the latest Canon lens which focuses through wire controlled STM motor. It was pleasant surprise to find that camera lens combo worked without any hiccups. The manual override of the lens (works through electronic control) also worked correctly. Then I put my Tamron 150-600 VC on the body, with a silent prayer. It worked without a glitch, the AF motor locking on focus where i stared through the VF. The engagement and disengagement of the VC mechanism was evident though the viewfinder. The focus speed was super fast, almost at par with the 1D series digital bodies. I always wanted to photograph birds on film, but never could do that for want of a film body which would support my modern super telephoto lenses and will be quick enough for birds. My wait is over now. The next note will be with photographs of birds, from scanned film negatives. I forgot to mention another feature of EOS 5 – it can shoot at a continuous speed of 5 frames per second with its built in motor-drive.