Film body to go with my 5D?

<p>I own a 5D with the 24-105 and 70-200 f4 lenses. I would like to get a film camera to use the same lenses for the times I want to shoot night pictuers (star trails, night landscape, etc with very long exposures) and the times I wan to scratch my Velvia itch. I have been thinking about an EOS-3 but I am not very familiar with the Canon film camera models. <br>

I welcome your counsel.</p>

<p>I suggest either the EOS 3, or the 1V. I have the EOS 3 and find it works great. The advantage to the 1V is that the viewfinder is full frame, if that matters.</p>

<p>I agree with Bill, and suggest that the EOS 3 or 1V would be the best choices. I had a 3 before I sold it (and my D30) for a 20D (the writing was on the wall for film for me). Never liked the 20D, and now have a 5D with which I'm much happier. The 3 is still just a bit better camera (ie the photographic side, ignoring the digital side) than the 5, particularly in AF. Please bring back F8 AF canon!</p>

<p>The 3 and 1V are very similar. The 1v more solid, rugged and feels hewn of a single piece. The 3 feels a little creakier, more plasticy (more so than the 5D - the 3 came out before magnesium casting became as cheap and ubiquitous as it is today). The 3 has ECF (never really worked for me... almost, but not quite good enough) while the 1v has the home position button instead. Ultimately, it's very unlikely that you'll come across situations where the 1v would work for you but the 3 wouldn't, or vice versa, unless you dunk the thing in water or use it to hammer in a nail (in either case, my money would be on the 1v). </p>

<p>You can find a quite thorough walkthrough of the different Canon EOS film bodies <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/">here </a> . The Canon EOS 600 is listed as being good for long exposures, as it does not require power to keep the shutter open. I have one, it is an ok camera, very sturdy build, but the AF sucks (first generation).</p>

<p>My vote also goes for 1V -- the best film camera IMHO from Canon: it's extremely quick (in everything), very well sealed, and not that expensive if purchased used (got mine for $300). It's a great addition to anyone's kit for the stuff that film does better, even nowadays :)</p>

<p>IHMO, unless you are going to be shooting allot of film I would go with an ELAN 7E, it's a much quieter camera. </p>

<p>If you want the numbers to match, the EOS 5 (A2E in North American) is inexpensive and a surprising performer for its era. I have an EOS 3 and, while it's a great camera, it's noisy as hell and kinda heavy. While I owned the EOS 5 and 3 at the same time, I usually preferred the EOS 5: AF worked great with any lens, very quiet, popup flash, built-& in AF assist.</p>

<p>I'll add my endorsement of the 1V and 3, which are both top-drawer film bodies, but I'm sure that the A2E, 7E, and 7N are also very fine. The 3 can be had for a song these days, and the 1V for not much more.</p>

<p>If I were you, Charles, I'd get the body with the features you most want or need. For example, the 1V and 3 have single- and multi-spot metering, the A2E has only single-spot metering, and the Elan 7's don't have spot metering at all. And while I personally wouldn't consider a body that didn't have spot metering, your applications may differ from mine.</p>

<p>Great comments here. I have both the EOS 3 and Elan 7E, and I would echo the comments about the low noise of the Elan and the loud shutter but much better AF of the EOS 3. Let's not forget the most important quality of a camera, and that is how it looks (:-) and that blue ribbon goes to the Eos 1v. I am thinking of buying one actually, as the prices are coming down, the shutter is a little quieter than the EOS 3, and it has a full viewfinder, not to mention the AF is supposed to be even better than the EOS 3. So, my advice would be to pick your needs and then buy the camera that matches them. Just be aware that the weight and size jumps up with the EOS 3 and 1V, especially with a motor drive.</p>

<p>My vote goes to the 1v hands down. To me it's the best camera Canon has ever made, film or digital, and it's a pure joy to operate. Prices are ridiculously low for it at present, so this is a great time to snag one. Google it and read up on its features. Once you handle it you'll be hooked on it. The AF has improved algorithms over that of the EOS 3 making it better, and the camera is more solid with an astounding number of seals to prevent the intrusion of natures elements.</p>

<p>I have the 1V, top of the line, awesome viewfinder, hard to miss a shot. I agree with Andy above. I purchased mine for a little less then $500 with less then 3 rolls shot. </p>

<p>Get an EOS 3 for the features <strong>and </strong>an EOS 5 for its light weight, its built in flash and its built-in dim-red focus assist light, which doesn't blind and annoy people. The 5 will set you back a whopping $40 or so. They both use the same batteries.</p>

<p>Of the most recent bodies the 3 and the 1V are the best, the EOS 5 (A2E) is a great buy and will work well. although the AF is older the 1N is also a fine camera and a lot cheaper used than the 1V. If you buy a 1 series or the 3 would avoid the models with the motor as it can only be removed if you have the standard grip to replace it. The motor takes AAs ot NiCads - while the batteries are cheap used the chargers are expensive and hard to find.</p>

<p>EOS5D and EOS5 is a nice pair of cameras!</p>

<p>All, thanks for the responses. I shoot in places where the noise of the shutter of the EOS 3 won't matter. I do use spot metering quite a bit so the Elan series is out. I am leaning towards the EOS 3. The water/weather proofing of the 1v is very attractive, but I don't have any water/weather proofed lenses.</p>

<p>I used to have an EOS 3 and an Elan II. The EOS 3 was a great camera, especially if you buy it with the power winder. AF with the f/2.8 lenses was incredibly fast and it would AF with f/8 lenses on the center AF point. Load the power winder up with fresh AA's and you won't have to worry about long exposures. An EOS 3 w/Power Winder is about $300 used.</p>