Touchscreen Coming to EOS 5D Mark IV? [CR1]

[syder]

We've had six 70ds for a couple of years now, with pretty heavy usage by undergraduate students... One of them has a damaged articulating screen. It still works as a screen but doesn't close properly. And its out of warranty and not worth the expense of fixing (its now the last one to go out but is still fully functional).

I've no idea what the students did to it, but it does suggest it's a point of weakness compared to a fixed screen.

But then being able to use it for high/low angle shots is really useful at times, so there are plusses and minuses.

 

[H. Jones]

I'm not bothered by a flippy/touch screen on a 5D, but I don't want to lose the left-side buttons! I went from the 60D's control set-up to a 5D3, and I would much, much prefer the 5D3's control scheme.

I would never use the touch screen though; that said, if I can turn it off, no big deal, I'm sure it'd be useful to a lot of people.

 

[Ozarker]

There is no legitimate reason to object to a touch screen -- just myths. The only legitimate reason to object to a flip screen is that the hinge takes up additional real estate on the back of the camera, so the right-side buttons would need to be relocated.

I beg to differ. Ever have your nose trigger a function on a touch screen? Been there, done that.

Unless I can disable the touch screen, I probably won't be buying.

I do like the idea of a floppy screen, though.

Well phone touchscreens disable when held next to the head, I don't see why a similar function couldn't apply here.

That is exactly what happens with the 70D. As you place your eye to the viewfinder the back screen goes instantly black and then instantly turns back on when you pull away.

 

[Ozarker]

There is no legitimate reason to object to a touch screen -- just myths. The only legitimate reason to object to a flip screen is that the hinge takes up additional real estate on the back of the camera, so the right-side buttons would need to be relocated.

I beg to differ. Ever have your nose trigger a function on a touch screen? Been there, done that.

Unless I can disable the touch screen, I probably won't be buying.

I do like the idea of a floppy screen, though.

The 70D screen disables as you put your eye to the viewfinder. Flawless operation.

What touch screen has your nose triggered?

 

[jolyonralph]

The big fear from experienced EOS users about adding a touch screen is that Canon will then remove 'unnecessary' buttons and move options to touch-screen only. This would be bad.

I think that a touch screen would be a good advantage for two reasons only.

a) the ability to touch a focus point in live view mode (very handy for tripod use)

b) pinch/zoom on images in preview mode.

No Canon EOS with touch screen (as far as I know) has not had the option to disable the touch screen in the menu, but I really would like to see a future pro touch screen have this option expanded in the menus to:

ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN ALWAYS
ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN IN IMAGE PREVIEW AND LIVE VIEW MODE ONLY
ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN IN IMAGE PREVIEW ONLY
DISABLE TOUCH SCREEN

That would make usability of a touch screen on a 5D class camera perfectly acceptable to me.

Jolyon

 

[Silvertt7]

y..

And I also don't like finger marks on a fixed touch screen where I'd like to see the sharpness of a pic.

Sorry, don't mean to be rude, but that makes no sense at all.

If you are worried about finger marks on a screen, don't touch it. It's as simple as that. Just because a camera has a touch screen, it doesn't mean you have to use it. It's just a simpler, more efficient way to cycle through the menus and change settings. And, honestly, you are more likely to get marks on a screen from putting your eye up to the viewfinder and your cheek/nose against the camera, whether it is a touch screen or not.

There is no legitimate reason to object to a touch screen -- just myths. The only legitimate reason to object to a flip screen is that the hinge takes up additional real estate on the back of the camera, so the right-side buttons would need to be relocated.

You do have to use the touch screen if canon has removed the buttons!

Flip screens are for kids with toy cameras, seriously.

Flip screens are for kids? You must not shoot much or you must be shooting the same compositions if you've never had the need for a swivel. Never shot above tripod level? Never shot macro? Never shot level with a lake's surface? Never used a 60D? I use the Mark III and many MANY times I've wished for the swivel screen from my secondary b cam 60D. There are so many amateurs speaking in this thread it's laughable.

 

[TheJock]

From reading the last 6 pages one thing occurs to me, the people who are damning the flip/touch screen have never actually tried one which is obvious from the comments (will it change settings as you raise it to the face to take a shot for instance), so it’s the usual much ado about nothing.
I have a 70D and the touch screen is invaluable, it makes changing settings a rapid experience, I have also never read a single “my flip screen broke” thread on here (or elsewhere) so to my knowledge it’s all win win. It’s the one small thing I miss while using my 5DIII, but the FF advantages need no discussion here!

 

[sanj]

But a flip screen is just a hazard.

Where does this myth come that flip screen would be more vulnerable to damage than a fixed one?

I'd think it's even the other way around, as you can optionally turn the flippy screen around so that the screen itself isn't even exposed.

I agree. This hazard thing is just too unfounded.

 

[sanj]

y..

And I also don't like finger marks on a fixed touch screen where I'd like to see the sharpness of a pic.

Sorry, don't mean to be rude, but that makes no sense at all.

If you are worried about finger marks on a screen, don't touch it. It's as simple as that. Just because a camera has a touch screen, it doesn't mean you have to use it. It's just a simpler, more efficient way to cycle through the menus and change settings. And, honestly, you are more likely to get marks on a screen from putting your eye up to the viewfinder and your cheek/nose against the camera, whether it is a touch screen or not.

There is no legitimate reason to object to a touch screen -- just myths. The only legitimate reason to object to a flip screen is that the hinge takes up additional real estate on the back of the camera, so the right-side buttons would need to be relocated.

You do have to use the touch screen if canon has removed the buttons!

Flip screens are for kids with toy cameras, seriously.

hahahahah. NO.

 

[sanj]

I've owned a 60d, and never liked the flip screen personally. I don't like shooting in live view at all unless my camera is on a tripod actually. With the comments about just leaving it locked in place, I don't like how the screen doesn't fit flush against the back of the camera. If Canon can keep the buttons on the left of the camera with a flip screen, sure. But, if the buttons are located elsewhere or if they are removed all together for a touchscreen, this will not be a camera I will be buying.

+1

The tilt screens come very handy with low or high shots. Tripod or not. For eye level, the viewfinder or fixed screen work fine.

 

[pwp]

Research has revealed that long-term use of touch screens can lead to severe skin rashes and possible early-onset arthritis. As for flippy screens, high use has been linked to migraine headaches and in extreme cases, uncontrolled laughter.

Hopefully Canon will not risk a debilitating class action, and release a fully conventional, un-evolved 5D4.

-pw

 

[tomscott]

Pretty dumfounded by the lack of excitement for this feature and the antiquated views of this forum.

Im a wedding a event photographer but also shoot about 50% of that time Motorsport. I am also an avid landscape, wildlife, general nature and travel photographer. In the last year I have taken a step back from working and have been spending the year traveling the world. Therefore have been in a lot of situations where this feature is a no brainer.

I have to say the touch element I'm neither here nor there about it will be useful so I'm not complaining there is no downside if you can turn it off. The biggest disappointment having access to both the 7DMKII and 70D is that the 70Ds video is vastly improved because you can touch to focus, this is where touch is invaluable for me, stills photography not quite as important but for video it seems natural. The one time I like the idea of the touch screen for stills is landscape when on a tripod and instead of moving the focus point by the control dial just touch to focus.

A flip screen is essential IMO if you haven't shot with one you really are missing out. I have a 5DMKIII and 7DMKII my GF has the 70D and I'm constantly stealing it from her when it comes to landscapes, macro and when an unconventional situation arrises, they are so versatile I can't understand why anyone would see a negative.

The screen itself gets more protection from scratches meaning less need for a protector as you can flip it round when not in use. Like I said I have been traveling the world and its a great way of protecting the screen.

I love getting close to the ground especially when I'm shooting motorsport events, not while trackside but when out in the field with the enthusiast and club vehicles. I have fairly bad knees from sports in my younger days although only 27 and after shooting a day like this i come home in quite a lot of pain from getting down to the level of the vehicles, even more so I wouldn't look like such a pillock when I want to get down to the ground and shoot from the floor, usually I get oil, petrol rubber all over my clothes because with the 7 and 5s you can't see the screen even when kneeling in live view so the viewfinder is the only option for me.

Otherwise I live in Cumbria UK, the Lake District it is incredibly beautiful but very wet. A lot of the time I am clambering in rivers, mud, puddles, moss, wet ground etc. When your out for a day and that shot comes up I would sacrifice my comfort to get the shot meaning my clothes generally get wet and even wearing the best waterproof gear you inevitably get wet, a flippy screen would generally stop this from happening. A lot of the time the gf just laughs at me because she can just flip the screen.

Another example, i spent a bit of this time in rainforrests, deserts and generally inhospitable places again same thing sometimes its not feasible to get down so low to the ground. Sand dunes and salt flats in both death valley and the atacama desert for example, the sand is too hot to lie in and the salt ruins your clothes and when dries has such a horrible feeling on your skin drying it out etc all these situations would be solved with a flip screen,

Im 99% sure I'm not the only one that has been in these situations and maybe not a daily basis but enough to warrant one. Its just such a shame IMO that the better sensors and bodies don't allow you to do these things easily, bodies you can push harder and rely on but make it more difficult at times and can feel antiquated compared to the lower end bodies.

Even with weddings, I wouldn't use it as regularly but it would be useful to get those above shots of groups while on the dance floor. If you have a gangway above a dance floor and want to shoot vertically down you just have to guess without a flip screen. If nothing it aids creation because your not guessing where the composition is.

If any of you guys are like me you shoot more than just one aspect of photography because the more you do the more revenue you can make.

I feel a lot of the views here are so conservative then the haters will come out when Canon comes out with nothing fresh because people think the cameras are perfect. Canon is my preferred brand but they are far from perfect and atm I expect these cameras at the price point to be the very best. Theres no reason they can't make a weather sealed screen I look at other brands and I am envious but I'm not one to swap and change and have faith canon will make the right decisions.

There are so many applications for this simple technology! I find that when looking at my gf photography, she's a beginner but with the 70d some of the angles and compositions she gets with the touch screens just blows my mind, makes me really so proud of her but at the same time jealous because unless you contort your body or sacrifice your comfort you can't get the same shots.

Of corse these things can be solved by using various gear like tripods etc but I don't like using them, they are cumbersome and IMO a lot of the time hinder creativity because it takes so much longer to set up.

Just my 2 pence.

 

[danski0224]

We've had six 70ds for a couple of years now, with pretty heavy usage by undergraduate students... One of them has a damaged articulating screen. It still works as a screen but doesn't close properly. And its out of warranty and not worth the expense of fixing (its now the last one to go out but is still fully functional).

I've no idea what the students did to it, but it does suggest it's a point of weakness compared to a fixed screen.

But then being able to use it for high/low angle shots is really useful at times, so there are plusses and minuses.

More than likely, it was damaged because the camera didn't belong to the person using it.

Yes, an articulating screen is one additional item that could get damaged. Maybe Canon will engineer it so that replacement is relatively painless, or at least doesn't involve dismantling the entire camera and replacing the motherboard...

I would welcome an articulating screen, touch enabled or not.

 

[pwp]

Pretty dumbfounded by the lack of excitement for this feature and the antiquated views of this forum....(clipped)

+1 Tom...I expected mostly unbridled enthusiasm and that good ol' CR "bring it on" viewpoint.
I was a bit miffed that the 5D3 didn't have touch screen.

Not to worry, I'm sure Canon doesn't include CR in its focus groups.

-pw

 

[infared]

The big fear from experienced EOS users about adding a touch screen is that Canon will then remove 'unnecessary' buttons and move options to touch-screen only. This would be bad.

I think that a touch screen would be a good advantage for two reasons only.

a) the ability to touch a focus point in live view mode (very handy for tripod use)

b) pinch/zoom on images in preview mode.

No Canon EOS with touch screen (as far as I know) has not had the option to disable the touch screen in the menu, but I really would like to see a future pro touch screen have this option expanded in the menus to:

ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN ALWAYS
ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN IN IMAGE PREVIEW AND LIVE VIEW MODE ONLY
ENABLE TOUCH SCREEN IN IMAGE PREVIEW ONLY
DISABLE TOUCH SCREEN

That would make usability of a touch screen on a 5D class camera perfectly acceptable to me.

Jolyon

+100
Great suggestion!

Oh...and we still need to keep all the buttons...so that the camera works fluidly without a touch screen. It's just more versatile that way!

 

[Coldhands]

Since a few people have asked for experiences with tilt/swivel screen failures, I thought I'd share the following anecdotal evidence...more for entertainment purposes than for the sake of making a point.

Back when I was shooting Olympus (aka the pre-enlightenment) I had the E-3, their top tier camera with ostensibly pro-level build and weather sealing along with a tilt/swivel screen. The camera proved entirely reliable during my time with it, however when it became clear Ollie was giving up on 4/3 DSLRs I chose to sell everything and switch to Canon. It was only during the process of handing over the camera to a buyer that the screen decided to let go. Literally just came apart in the hands. AWKWARD. Luckily, I managed to source some parts to get it fixed and later managed to complete the sale. Still a mystery as to what actually caused it to break.

Obviously I'm not suggesting all t/s screens are a major weakness, but equally it's not beyond the realm of possibility for one to break.

As for my preference, I can't really claim to have missed having the tilt/swivel ability in the ~4 years since switching. That said, I wouldn't complain if my next body came with one. I guess I'm ambivalent.

 

[sunnyVan]

The 6d line competes against nikon d750. 5d series competes against d810. D750 already has a flip screen so knowing canon being always a few steps behind they will put a flip screen on a 6d in response.

Not talking about merits of having a flip screen. Just talking about rumors and chances of it happening. Please be civil to each other guys.

 

[quod]

The issue with an articulating screen on a 5D-class camera was never about fragility, as far as I recall, but more to do with the problems guaranteeing weather sealing.

Agreed. Would be tough to weather seal.

Tony Northrup stated that he was caught in a rainstorm and subsequently lost two 5D3s to rain damage, but his GH4s were fine. The GH4s have flippy screens. I don't know the circumstances beyond those details. The take-away is protect your gear because even "pro level" gear with no flippy screen can be breached.

 

[sanj]

I would have loved a tilt screen that night.....

 

[Loswr]

Pretty dumfounded by the lack of excitement for this feature and the antiquated views of this forum.

Dumbfounding that your personal views of what constitutes a useful or desirable feature are not universally shared? I suggest you get over it.

Of corse these things can be solved by using various gear like tripods etc but I don't like using them, they are cumbersome and IMO a lot of the time hinder creativity because it takes so much longer to set up.

Interesting. Perhaps the creativity of my long exposure blue hour shots and panoramas is hindered by taking the time to set up a tripod...but I doubt it. :