Here Is Why I Will Always Use Canon as a Pro

by Illya Ovchar

The brand of your camera is perhaps more important than you initially think. Unless you are Jared Polin, you are unlikely to change whole camera systems because one brand does something better than the other. This is why there are camps associated with camera brands. In this article, I will discuss the simple reason I use Canon.

The Simple Answer

The reason I use Canon as a photographer is that it is the camera my dad happened to buy when I was a kid, and the camera I happened to pick up. I bought lenses for that film camera, and those lenses eventually migrated to digital Canons, and those digital Canons just ended up being better and better. This is the very simplified and true reason I use Canon as a professional photographer. I was simply born into this system and never experimented with alternatives.

The More Complicated Answer

However, if you are starting photography at an age where it doesn't matter which camera your dad had, allow me to make the case for Canon cameras, as I would still buy Canon if I had to pick a 35mm digital camera in 2023.

Color Science

Canon is the brand you think of when it comes to color science in digital cameras that are not medium-format. They are the kings of image quality, and the cameras are well-known for their color accuracy, dynamic range, and overall sharpness. I noticed this as soon as I tried my first-ever digital Canon camera: the Canon 1D Mark II. The original from the early 2000s stole my heart. It was a camera that, while only shooting 8-megapixel still images, could produce beautiful raw color, which was a pleasure to edit in post-production. Switching over to the Canon 5D Mark II, I was further pleasantly surprised by how well it could handle extreme shooting conditions. I have shot everything from fashion editorials to northern lights to drunk people at events with that beast. Talk about versatile. Moving on to the current king of Canon cameras that I have: the mighty 5Ds. There is nothing quite like it, really. It produces stunning images that leave me speechless.

Lenses

There are a zillion EF lenses in the world. Even after decades of EF being the standard, it is super easy to find pretty much any FD glass, especially on eBay. You could travel to any corner of the world and be sure to find the EF lens you need. It is just so accessible and available. Furthermore, there are lenses for basically any need. Be it a technical tilt-shift lens or an all-around superzoom like the Canon EF 28-300, Canon has them all. Whatever the project, Canon has the photographer covered from various cost points. For example, if you want to shoot the infamous 85mm prime lens, you need not invest in the expensive f/1.2 version. The f/1.8 can do a similar job at a lower price point. Canon is a great brand that offers solutions at several price points, which makes it both pro and beginner-friendly. The quality of the lenses themselves need not be mentioned. If you've read my recent reviews, you will know that they are fantastic performers.

Ease of Use

I love learning new things, but I hate having to learn a camera system. All I need from that black box full of electronics is to take a picture. I don't need the fine adjustment of focusing modes and dual-pixel raw, which are more or less useless. Canon does an incredible job with ease of use. I could literally pick up the 1D Mark II and figure out how to use it. I never once had to open a Canon manual, and I think that is a sign of good gear. Perhaps I am spoiled, but whenever the manual comes out, something is too complicated for the average user. Another point about ease of use that I would like to make is dial placement. The dials are more or less in the same spots regardless of the camera. For example, take the 5D Classic and 5D Mark IV, and the basic functions will still be in the same spot.

Reliability

I sincerely hope that my cameras will last me for years to come. I can count on my equipment to perform on shoots. Fortunately, I no longer even think of the equipment. I just pick up my camera from the tether trolley, and it works. Although the cosmetic wear on my camera has greatly reduced the more I shoot in the studio, it still ends up on the floor, it still takes the occasional tumble and roll. The only significant downside to all Canon cameras that I want to point out is the fact that if a port breaks, you are looking at a motherboard replacement. Instead of a board with all the ports, Canon decided to skimp for whatever reason and make photographers pay upwards of $500 for a new motherboard if a camera is unfortunate enough to fall on its tether port.

Repairs and Network

My studio is in Budapest, which isn't known for its photographers, at least not yet. Fortunately, even here, I can get hold of a replacement camera in a matter of an hour. It is as simple as calling the local service center, which is part of CPS (Canon Professional Services), and getting a unit. In large cities such as Paris or New York, they can even offer overnight replacements for some damage. I could get the shutter and mirror replaced in a couple of business days and be back on my feet in no time.

Closing Thoughts

So, while the real reason I use Canon is quite simple and childish, I am glad that my father made the right choice in the '90s and bought a Canon. It would be hard to imagine shooting with a different brand since the offerings and reliability scores are not as good as Canon.

Which camera brand do you use? Do these points apply to them as well? We would love to hear your opinion in the comments below!