Canon EOS RT

The Canon EOS RT, released in 1989, represents a specialized iteration in Canon's early EOS line, distinguished primarily by its pellicle mirror system. Essentially a modified EOS 630/EOS 600 body, the RT featured a semi-transparent fixed mirror that eliminated the blackout period typical in SLRs during exposure. This innovation allowed for continuous viewing through the lens at all times and enabled faster shooting sequences without the mirror's movement delay. The camera maintained the EOS series' autofocus capabilities and ergonomic design philosophy, while the pellicle mirror represented Canon's continued exploration of mirror technology beyond conventional designs. Only 25,000 units were produced, making it a relatively rare model in the EOS lineup from the outset.

While not fundamentally revolutionary in overall design, the EOS RT served as an important technological experiment for Canon, testing the practical applications of pellicle mirror technology in a field-ready camera body. The system, which required careful engineering to ensure proper light transmission to both the viewfinder and the film plane, would later influence Canon's professional models like the EOS 1N RS. The RT's brief production window—effectively out of production before it went on sale due to being produced at the end of the EOS 630 run—contributed to its scarcity and gave it a niche position in Canon's early autofocus SLR development.