Canon 35 MM Bodies Revisited

Anybody have some helpful information. I have found so much

information on Canon EOS film bodies that I am overwhelmed. I have a

Nikon SLR (N50). I want to get into Canon EOS digital SLRs. I am on

a budget (imposed). I plan on getting a 10D soon. But I also want a

backup film body. I have thought about an Elan, Elan 7, EOS 5 or EOS

3, or one of the Rebels, specifically the Rebel Ti w/ metal lense

mounting. I am wondering if I should get the "Cheaper" newer Rebel,

the absolute cheapest Rebel, or one of the older bodies... I like

the idea of the water resistance EOS 3 but it is too much for

my "secondary" film body... Any thoughts? Should I get an older Elan

1000 or something similar or a Rebel Ti? I am mostly interested in

outdoor nature photography. Weight might also be an issue, but I

like sturdy better! Most of the reviews, etc.. that I can find are

just sales pitches, or they are outdated to an extent... Please help!

Joe, Welcome to Canon!

 

I suggest getting atleast a Elan 7. I use the Rebel Ti and after about 1.3 years of using it, I feel frustrated sometimes when I need to do things fast. There are too many user interface quirks like "push this button while rolling this dial that makes you want to tear your hair out".

 

This issue aside, the rebel Ti is light, fast focussing and has a bright viewfinder.

My vote would also go to the Elan 7e. Which is the EOS 30 here in UK.

 

I loved mine, and will probably end up with another one soon. Much cheaper but similar spec, older - noisier, is the Elan II (EOS 50 here).

 

The 3 or 1 series are the best bodies, but realy too much camera for a backup film body. I think anyone who owns one of these will only really be satisfied by a 1 series digital body.

 

Welcome to the world of simple lens choice.

Joe - Ruggedness might not be essential if the camera spends most of its time protected in your bag. A cheap used body has its merits.

 

I agree with Madhan about Rebel interface quirks, but a little of that comes just by switching between models. Be sure to carry a manual for the second model. As for the Elan series, you might be happy with a model even older than 7.

If I were to buy a film backup camera, the most I would go would be the Elan 7n or 7En. I had an EOS 3 for a while, but sold it & now have a 10D and Digital Rebel. Once I started shooting digitally I decided the film camera was going to get NO use. Even $350-$400 for a film body for my own use is too much at this point. Today I would get a Rebel Ti.

The Elan 7, which I've never used, should do you well if you are looking for a new camera. If a used one will suit you, take a look at the Elan II. It's not an EOS 3, by a any means, but it's heavier and sturdier than any of the Rebel lines I've played around with and it has the metal lens mount.

 

The controls on the Elan II are similar to the 10D, including the nifty thumb (exposure) wheel on the back. (it's one of my favorite features) Instead of pressing a button to switch the finger dial from aperture to shutter settings and back again, you use a finger for the aperture and a thumb for the exposure. Much easier, in my amateur opinion.

 

The nice thing about the Elan II is that you can picked up good used ones for less than $200. I bought two on eBay and was very happy with both. I kept one and gave the second to my oldest son when I got my 10D. He and his girlfriend like it as much as I did.

http://www.keh.com/shop/SHOWPRODUCT.CFM?CRID=8734433&SKID=CE0299902351606&SID=newused&BID=CE&CID=02&SOID=N&curpic=0&dpsp=0

I would also recommend an Elan7. It's the closest in everything to a 10D.

I just picked up a flawless used Elan 7 for $100 on <small>Th</small><b>E B</b><small>ig </small><b>A</b><small>uction site ever</small><b>Y</b><small>body knows.</small><p>The abundance of used film bodies at low prices is one of the side benefits of everyone scrambling for $$$ to finance a DSLR!

I guess that just makes me a weirdo: I have made a decision to get a new Canon 1V from B&H...

If you're on budget you get Elan IIe (EOS 50e). It is the former version of the Elan 7, with brighter viewfinder, no flash firing to focus (uses assist light instead) and it costs (used) as Rebel Ti would cost u. It's only disadvantage compared to Elan 7 is 2.5 FPS vs. 4 FPS of the 7. I bought my Elan IIe about a year ago and I never felt "restricted" by it's features.

I have my old Elan IIe as a backup and honestlyl, it's a pleasure to use. It's better than any

Rebel, alot like the 10D and there are a plethora of them on th used market. If you want

new go with the Elan 7.

I have the TI and it has been great, fast focusing, easy to figure

out, very lightweight, batteries last forever and its cheap.

Oh EOS3 weighs a lot...

If you are on a budget, the older Elan-IIe is an excellent little camera. It is very sturdy and very versatile. In many ways it is even better than the newer elan-7e, such as the built in red AF-assist and the placement of the metering button. It is much cheaper than the 7e.

<p> How often will this body be used? Often? Get an <a href="http://photonotes.org/reviews/5-50-30/">Elan</a>. Rarely? Get a <a href="http://photonotes.org/reviews/500N-300-300V/">Rebel</a>. </p>

 

 

<p>Happy shooting,<br>

Yakim.</p>

Joe,

 

I too own a Canon DSLR (10D) but wanted a good film "backup" body that would be both sturdy and last a long time. I also wanted to use my ultra-wide angle lenses *as ultra-wide angle lenses* until Canon comes out with an *reasonably priced* full-frame DSLR!

 

After going back and forth deciding between the Elan 7N and the EOS-3, I decided to go with an almost-new second-hand EOS-3 (and for less than half the price of a new one!) My reasons:

 

1. The EOS-3 feels much more solid and better built (former F-1 and T-90 user here!); probably has a sturdier, longer-lasting shutter; and (at least according to Canon) has the same water-and-dust resistant sealing as the EOS-1N. Therefore, IMO, it's bound to last longer.

 

2. The EOS-3 offers spot metering, while the Elans do not.

 

3. The EOS-3 has the same faster 45-point AF grid as the EOS-1V. The Elan 7 series offers only a 7-point grid.

 

4. The EOS-3, like the 1V, can autofocus with an F:8 lens, or with an F:5.6 lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, or with an F:4 lens with a 2x teleconverter. The Elans are limited to F:5.6 and faster lenses.

 

5. Eye Controlled Focusing comes standard, while you'd have to pay at least $50 more for it on the Elans (the 7E and 7NE).

 

All in all, I'm very happy with the decision I made, especially because almost all my shooting is outdoors, usually while traveling, camping, hiking, biking, and sailing. So for me the EOS-3 was a much more logical choice despite the extra weight.

 

As for that extra weight, the EOS-3 is only 7 ounces heavier than the Elan 7! No big problem to me.

Joe:

 

Is autofocus speed an issue with your kind of nature photography? What about 100% viewfinder coverage? If neither really matters to you, and you're only using the film body as a backup, I'd pick up the cheapest one I could find new, or buy a quality used one.

 

If I were in your position, I'd look at a used 1 body. I really like my 1v, and I'm not sure I'd be happy with much less.

If you want pro features but don't want to pay too much money, then as an alternative to the EOS3, an EOS 5 may be a good bet. Does everything, costs peanuts. I have both, and whilst there are some differences in functionality, to be honest they don't really matter a whole lot.

 

But watch out for the famous command dial "undocumented feature"!

 

Also, you may get so attached to some of the functionality of either the EOS 3 or 5, you may look at the 10D in a new light - specifically I'm talking about spot metering and +/-5fps.

 

Ed