What was the best prosumer EOS film camera made?

<p>I've got a freezer full of film and after the holidays I'd like to pick up a film body and was thinking about getting the Elan 7e with "Eye Control Focus". It's pretty cheap and it would keep my 40D company and share lenses and a 380EX flash.</p>

<p>Best? I don't know about that, but I really enjoyed shooting with the Elan 7. </p>

<p>Depends on your definition. Most would say the Canon EOS-3 as long as it doesn't have the battery check of doom syndrome (which I cured on one by bashing it on a cement corner). The Elan 7NE is a nice camera when it works, but it's also the only film camera I ever had to send in for warranty work. The warranty was usually long expired by the time I needed it. :) The 7NE I sent back had fewer than 10 rolls run through it when electronic problems arose. A dark horse would be the EOS Rebel TI which has a nice LCD on the back much like the Minolta Maxxum 7.</p>

<p>I have the Elan 7n, and I think it's a fine camera. The 7ne would be even better.</p>

<p>Hands-down, the Canon EOS 3 ( http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00WyuM - at the end of that post, links to my reports on <em>other</em> Canon main-line EOS film cameras.) It's arguably at least as good as the various EOS 1 cameras, but those are <em>professional</em> cameras.</p><div></div>

<p>By the way, if CHEAP is the goal, most of the old EOS mainline cameras, right back to the EOS 650 and 620, still work - if not ready for really fast AF - and bodies sell online for less than $40, sometimes a lot less.</p>

<p>I'm not sure I would class the EOS 3 as a prosumer camera. Nevertheless it is a killer camera. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's as noisy as hell.</p>

<p>My vote is for the EOS 30V (I think that's the same as the Elan 7e). It is beautifully made, reasonably compact and has the smoothest and best film advance system of any Canon camera in my opinion. It is silky smooth and quiet. </p>

<p>I have the EOS 1, EOS 3 and EOS 50E (Elan IIE). The EOS 1 is slow and feels very outdated for a 1 series camera. The other two are fantastic, especially the AF on the EOS 3. </p>

 

<p>I shot with the EOS 5 (A2), 3 and Elan 7NE until 2004. While the EOS 3 is the best made and full featured of the three, I greatly preferred the Elan 7NE: petite size, almost silent operation and 100% hit rate on ECF. It's sort of the 6D of the EOS film world.</p>

EOS 3,

<p>My Elan 7NE has been trouble free since I bought it new in 2004. The EOS 3 is an excellent camera, although I would be hesitant to label it "prosumer". I always considered it more pro than consumer. Once the pop-up flash goes so does the prosumer label in my mind. Either would be a good choice for the prices they go for today however.</p>

<p>I also have a Canon ELAN 7NE and it works just fine. What does BEST prosumer mean? I purchased the ELAN 7NE because eI wanted something that wasn't too heavy and could server as a backup to my Canon 5D2 in a crunch. I don't need super fast film advance or tons of on camera features so for me the Canon 7NE is the BEST. Ultimately, image quality comes down to the quality of your lenses and the steadiness of your hands. <br>

That's what I miss most about film camera's. It has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of your camera as long as the shutter opens and closes and can manual focus your set. To me the simpler the camera, the better pictures I can make with it.</p>

<p>I think Puppy pretty much sums up my feelings about the Elan. I also have a 1n that screams like a banshee. I've never used a 3, but I understand it screams too. But the Elan 7n is a very inconspicuous camera with very good ergonomics and features. It feels a bit plasticky, but that also means it's light. All in all, it's a pleasure to use the Elan.</p>

<p>I have an elan 7 and an EOS 3.</p>

<p>The elan metering and viewfinder let me down. It is lightweight, but it feels cheap, almost toy-like, in hand. But is is a relatively small and lightweight body with a built-in flash ~ if that is what you want.</p>

<p>The EOS 3 is the best camera I have used. Excellent metering, FAST Accurate AF, good film transport, useful customization and good power options (with the various grips). Rugged Construction! Currently, one of the very best deals in the used camera market.</p>

<p>The EOS 3 is not without a couple of minor annoyances (or it wouldn't be a camera at all ;~)) While the viewfinder is very large and very bright, I always wished for more eye-relief...I have to consciously look to the right to see the EC scale (unless I remove the eye-cup). The "Remote" connector port, rubber cover plug. falls out too easily and gets lost. I resorted to electrical tape to keep that port covered. Not the best camera for IR because of the LED frame counter. Lacks adjustable viewfinder diopter ~ must buy accessory viewfinder ports to change diopter.</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

<p>Like the EOS 1n before it, the EOS 3 was a bullet-proof shooter but was killed for me by it's size. weight. and noise. The Elan 7ne is the only film EOS camera I still use. With the 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens it is an excellent street shooter-lightweight, compact and quiet. They are so inexpensive now, if it does fail or is dropped, I would simply buy another. </p>

<p>It really depends on the type of photography you want to do, the conditions you expect to shoot in, and how much you are willing to lug around. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>EOS-3. In my opinion eye controlled focus was a gimmick and I never found it useful. Others may have a different opinion, but I'm sticking to mine!</p>

<p>With the EOS-3 going for around $200 and the Elan 7e going for around $50, just get both! You might even be able to get the pair of them for $200 total if you shop around.</p>

<p>Not that long ago I paid 140GBP for an EOS-1, which I think is pretty wonderful. It's a very solid and reliable body that I enjoy using.<br>

I liked it so much I've just paid more than double that for an EOS 1v.</p>

 

<p>Hands down, the EOS-3</p>

I've enjoyed using the EOS 5 for many years and still take it to the occasional wedding where they want B+W shots, I like the handling

and fast focusing. I like the eye controlled focusing and it works well with the vertical grip. The battery door can feel slightly wobbly but

I've never had a problem with the command dial, I think that's perhaps through heavy handling. Like the Eos 3 these can be picked up

very in expensively these days.

<p>Well, for a prosumer EOS body, hands down the Elan 7E.</p>

<p>BTW, the is a sleeper out there, a consumer grade EOS body, the Rebel 2000. It has many of the same feature set as the 7E (without the ECF of course). Other than the lack of a metal lens mount the Rebel 2000 is worthy of consideration, especially since you can pick them up in good condition for less than $25.</p>

<p>Ed.</p>

<p>I have, (well, . . . had) both the Elan 7e and the EOS-3. I recently passed down the mint condition Elan 7e to my 17 year old Son as his first SLR Camera.</p>

<p>I tend to agree with many of the previous posters, that either were probably the best Canon EOS film bodies produced and I think we'll be reading about them both for many years to come!<br />Jim j.</p>

<p>Yet another vote for the Elan 7E. I did not use the eye tracking very much but really enjoyed that camera AND took it across India, Indonesia, Nepal, Bhutan and NW Africa - it held up well so don't be put off by any plastic-phobias. Hmmm, I did not have to worry about dust on the sensor either...</p>

My hands down (or up...) vote goes to the T-90...last film camera I had

before going digital with the 5D-and had before it been using various

F1 bodies. Very nice camera.

<p>I'm hoping it's the Elan 7N because, egged on by this thread, I just ordered one from KEH. </p>

<p>I loved my old T90, but the trouble with the shutter on those caused me to abandon mine. I even had the shutter replaced and the new one went within a year of installing it. Plus being a manual focus camera, it uses old FD mount lenses which the OP may not have. Plus with my eyes, I need auto focus now.</p>

<p>7N or 3, depending on your needs, as well as your definition of 'prosumer'. I have both, I like both, I use both. I prefer either one over the other depending on circumstances. My other choice is the EOS RT. Pellicle mirror, nearly silent operation. Rather an odd user interface though...</p>