Canon EOS-1N RS1995

History

Released 1995 as an EOS-1N variant for sports and wildlife photographers. The pellicle-mirror concept dates to the Canon Pellix (1965); Canon revived it for the RS to deliver 10 fps without the mirror-up time penalty. Production ran 5 years until 2000. Total volume was very low — perhaps a few thousand units — making the RS one of the rarest pro Canon film bodies.

Why It Matters

The EOS-1N RS is the camera that sees what the film sees. For tracking fast-moving subjects (cycling, motorsport, birds), the no-blackout viewfinder is genuinely useful. The pellicle mirror also means there's no mirror slap, so vibration is reduced — useful for telephoto work on tripods.

For 2026 buyers, used RS prices run $600–1,200. The body itself is heavy (1.17 kg with integrated grip) but capable. Trade-off: the pellicle mirror collects dust, can't be cleaned without specialist tools, and the half-stop light loss complicates exposure in dim light.

Lenses & Accessories

Full Canon EF lens system, especially L-series sports/wildlife glass: 70-200/2.8L, 300/2.8L IS, 400/2.8L IS, 500/4L IS, 600/4L IS. The PB-E2 grip is integrated, not removable. Speedlite 540EZ / 580EX-II flashes for ETTL.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Sports / wildlife specialists, 1995–2000.
• Olympic press pools 1996, 2000 — used by some photographers as a B-camera.
• Cult favorite among Canon EF historians.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Canon EOS-1N RS
• Wikipedia: Canon EOS-1N