Good value second hand Film body to go with a 5d ?

i'm in a process to buy a complete kit (5D + 24, 45, 90TS-E and 1,4x apo II),

and i'd like to buy a second hand film camera just as a back up, or special purpose (slides...).

i don't know anything about eos bodies, i'm a mf and lf user...

so, considering the good price for film body in second hand, which model shall i buy ?

I don't need hight frame rate... i want something simple, relliable... and not a big one !

Thanks

 

For comparison, if it was a nikon, i would have bought a 90X, not an F5 !

I just got an Elan 7E in like new condition from KEH for the same purpose. I am very happy with it and it was extremely reasonably priced. Check out http://www.keh.com

Shop for used bodies from KEH. EOS-3, A2/EOS-5, or a more current Elan would all be good choices.

Now's a great time to get sweet deals on second hand film SLRs. If you're used to the ergonomics of the 5D, I highly recommend the EOS 1v (not the HS version). These are now going for around $650 on the used market.

Have a look at <a href="http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/camerasurvey_weighted.htm">PhotoZone camera user survey</a> and <a href="http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/canoncamera.htm">PhotoZone overview of EOS film bodies</a>. I decided on an Elan 7 (EOS 30), and it served me well until I got a second dSLR - I haven't used the ELan 7 since then.

I too have a 5D, and find it comparable in size and handling to my EOS-3 camera. That said, for as infrequently as I use film now, I'd probably be happy with an Elan of some sort.

DG..

I've had both SLR's the 7e and the EOS 3. I just sold my 20D dSLR because I so much more prefer the full frame and the brighter viewfinder full frames give you...Since you have the 5D I think you'd be disappointed with an Elan 7e. You can buy an EOS 3 in super shape used through KEH or try ebay. I still have my EOS 3 which blows away the 7s in all around performance. I refuse to sell it even though it hardly ever comes down off the shelf. It's a kissin' cousin in size, weight, feel, etc. to the 5D.

 

Good Luck,

Chuck

Since you mentioned you don't need a high frame rate or bulk, I would go with an Elan 7N or 7NE. Very quiet and smaller than the 3 and IV. It doesn't have the weather seals of those models and it gives up a few features that may be trivial for most users, but all around its a great camera. I've owned mine for 2 years now with no problems regarding reliability.

Definitely the original EOS 5 (A2/A2E) in the US. One of the finest camera bodies made by Canon. It does lack E-TTL, but only you can decide if this is an issue, (I didn't think so).

 

I have both, and find them both very easy to swap from. I'd imagine the EOS 3 is a heavier and more complex camera. But it should be a good camera also.

 

-Ian

I gather form your shopping list that you are not interested in flash photography.

 

However, if you intend to use the film camera as a back-up AND you your work requires a lot of flash, then you may want the EOS 30V/33V/Elan 7N/Elan 7EN/EOS 7S, because these cameras support the newer E-TTL II flash algorithm, like 5d does (provided you go with Canon EX flashes). So you will have a consistent flash performance with both the digital and film camera. E-TTL on eos 3, 5, and 7 behaves quite bit differently than the newer E-TTL II. An alternative option to "equalize" flash performance (if you use 550EX or 580EX) is to switch back to plain TTL (on the flash) for both the cameras - but this is quite step backward. The consensus seems that TTL implementation is so-so, E-TTL is quite problematic, but E-TTL II is quite a bit of an improvement.

 

If you intend to use a Metz flash then it does not matter so much, cause you can use the excellet auto thyristor flash.

 

So, if you decide that EOS 1V and 3 are too "professional" and too heavy, and EOS 5 too old :-), then I would advise to choose EOS 30V/33V/Elan 7N/Elan 7EN/EOS 7S over EOS 30/33/Elan 7/Elan 7E/EOS 7 just based on the flash performance issue.

 

You can see a comparison of a number of "advanced amateur" Canon film cameras here

 

http://photonotes.org/reviews/5-50-30/

 

It does not have EOS 3, as that is clearly a higher level camera.

For TS-E lenses the common wisdom is to get a body with a 100% viewfinder, which means something in the "1" series. Unlike your DSLR, you can't get immediate feedback of vignetting at full shift.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I too explored the idea of keeping my ELAN II as a backup for doing events and weddings. However, upon discovering that in order for it to be truly a viable backup, I would have to go out and purchase professional film in the quantities that I "might" use if my 10D exploded and have it with me. I certainly wouldn't shoot on film that had rattled around my camera bag for months just waiting for my digital to fail me. I couldn't see a solution to this and sold my ELAN II and will be upgrading to the 30D as soon as I can afford it and use my 10D as backup. Film as a backup only seems to make sense if you are already shooting film. I could be wrong.

I have an EOS-3, Elan 7, and Rebel 2000.

 

Get a used Elan 7 or a new Elan 7N. It is inexpensive, reliable, fast, and has many professional features. A feature filled full frame SLR for under $300, and how! It has most of the shooting features of your 5D. The only difference is a top shutter speed of 1/4000 instead 1/8000 and exposure adjustments are in 1/2 stops instead of 1/3, and the Elan has two less focus points. The viewfinders are similar. If you need these features get the EOS 3 and pay twice.

 

The "N" stands for "NEW" on the new model and the only difference is that it has full E-TTL II flash compatability and an electroluminescent LCD panel. Plus the N has the super-matte finish to distinguish it from the older model. Otherwise they are identical.

used - eos 3, new - elan 7.

 

however, you may think about switching to medium format for your film needs, the prices currenly are ridiculously low.

 

by the way, i disagree with one of the previous posts - i find TTL flash metering quite superior to ETTL II.

"however, you may think about switching to medium format for your film needs, the prices

currenly are ridiculously low."

i'm shooting in 6x6 to 20x25 most of the time, but what i need now, it's a second camera

in my 5D bag...

 

Thanks for all the answer !