TheCanon EOSSystem

There are many reasons to commit oneself to a particular camera system.  Great new cameras such as theEOS3andEOS-1vare one reason, but for me, the selection of lenses is primary.  Canon's is extensive, high quality, and has a number of unique technologies and capabilities.  In fact,the announcementby Canon U.S. on May 31, 1999 of 4 new fast super-telephoto prime lenses usingImage Stabilization(IS) technology added significant weight to this.

At one time I was a prime lens snob.  Zooms were for the uninitiated, and only prime focal length optics could provide ultimate image quality.  While it's possible that from a strictly theoretical point of view this is still correct, in the real-world top quality zooms such as those in the Canon L series are capable of results that will satisfy even the pickiest photographer.  The convenience of using zooms is unquestioned, and so for my 35mm work (which is largely about convenience),  I...