What 35mm EOS body an lenses should I buy?

<p>First of all, I cannot be talked into buying a digital body, so don't even try! ;)</p>

<p>Now to the point, I currently own an EOS Elan, and an old EOS 650, and no lenses (long story).</p>

<p>I want something durable, preferably metal bodied. I don't care how old it is, or how many gadgets it lacks. I just want it to last.</p>

<p>As for the lenses, I want metal mounts, and I like primes. Maybe a 24, 50, and 105, something along those lines.</p>

<p>Steven, you'll likely get more useful opinions if you describe what subjects you intend to shoot and under what light conditions.</p>

<p>If you're sticking with film, it would probably be a good idea to find some fresh multi-roll bricks of your favourite film(s) and store them in a freezer, because production of some of them could be discontinued soon.</p>

<p>If the 650 is still working, there's nothing wrong with that. From that point on (1987-) there are a long chain of EOS film cameras ranging from basic models up the EOS 1 film cameras. See Canon's history of these at <a href="http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/chrono_1986-1990.html">link</a>.</p>

<p>Many people seem to find the EOS 3 to be the sweet-point of the EOS film cameras, but they are much sought after so some of the earlier or later models may be bigger bargains.</p>

<p>They all take <em>all</em> EF lenses (except, of course, for the EF-S (digital only) lenses which will fit on none of them).</p>

<p>There are a number of older AF zooms that sell for very low prices. The newer the design, the more competition there is to buy it. A good all-around, and not too pricey, lens is the EF 28-135mm IS lens. The 50mm f/1.8 prime is the biggest bargain in the whole Canon lineup and is a very nice lens, not just for the money.</p>

<p>Just get a 1V. Best film camera they ever made and there are loads of mint ones out there for next to nothing. You will never need another film body. EOS 3 has the eye controlled focus that some love and some hate but it is probably the noisiest body this side of a loud medium format setup. The 1V is like velvet in comparison.</p>

<p>24mm f2.8 at $325<br>

50mm f1.4 at $344<br>

100mm f2.8 macro for $519, unless you splurg and go for the new L version with IS @ $884</p>

<p>Steve, I also recommend the EOS 3, or, better still, the 1V. As for prime lenses with the focal lengths you've specified, the 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 are older designs but are very fine optically, and the 100/2 is a superb "portrait" lens, as is it's close cousing, the 85/1.8. If you're into macro, the older 100/2.8 or newer 100/2.8 IS are both awesomely sharp. The 135/2 L is also worth mentioning. It's one of Canon's very finest lenses, and is reasonably priced for an "L" prime.</p>

<p>(It seems that Scott beat me to the punch, and was posting as I was composing).</p>

<p>Thank you for all the advice.</p>

<p>Brent, I like doing travel photography, a very broad genre indeed, but if if helps I won't be doing much if any telephoto work.</p>

<p>JDM, thanks for the link. Yes, the 650 still works fine, and I love it. It seems pretty solid, about as good as my Nikon N90S.</p>

<p>Not sure if I'd like the eye focus control on the 3 and others. Can it be turned off?</p>

<p>I would love a 1v, but that would exceed my budget. What about the Elan 7? Or a older 1 or 1n?</p>

<p>Steven, I realize you prefer primes, but the EF24-105/f4L with IS is a brilliant travel lens, particularly on a full-frame film body.</p>

<p>When on trips I always found that a versatile zoom cut down the bulk and weight of multiple prime lenses, and enables coverage of a wider range of situations, particularly in locations where you can't move around much. </p>

<p>The EOS Elan II is a pretty nice camera, too. Cheaper than dirt on ebay.</p>

There aren't many metal DSLR's on the market unless you opt for the Leica M9 which is currently selling for $7000 sans lens.

<p>Certainly the eye controlled focus feature can be turned off, Steve. I recommend the 1V and 3 because I believe that they are the best EOS film bodies. I personally find the Elan bodies to be too compact, and consequently a little awkward to handle.</p>

<p>Steve: if you love the feel of the 650 but the 1V might be beyond your budget, have a look at the 600 (called the 630 in N America). It's got the same body as the 650 but the AF is tweaked: it's a bit faster and handles horizontals a bit better. Back when it was new it was 'generation 1.5' of the EOS range: it effectively replaced both the 650 and 620.</p>

<p>If the 1V is above your budget, then take a serious look at the EOS 3. Yes the eye control focus can be turned off if you don't like it.</p>

<p>Owning both the EOS 3 and the Elan 7e, I find the Elan body small and as Mark pointed out, a little awkward to handle compared to the EOS 3. Plus the viewfinder of the EOS 3 is hard to beat!</p>

<p>I bought the Elan 7e new, and within a month or two found and purchased the used EOS 3. Pretty much from the day the EOS 3 arrived, the Elan stayed in the bag as the backup!</p>

<p>As for lenses, I still keep the Canon EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM MkII as the carry around for the EOS 3, (or the 7e) it's small and has a good focal length coverage. And everyone needs the "Nifty Fifty" in their bag.</p>

<p>I admire your desire to continue with film. I still shoot a little film, but I must admit, not much!<br>

I think I do better work with film, I like the "you get what you shoot" and I am not into much post processing.</p>

<p>Best Wishes,</p>

<p> </p>

<p>As others have said the 1V is the best. I like the 3 and the 1N as cheaper alternatives. The 3 has better AF and the 1N is probably slightly more durable. The 1N has the old 5 point AF but I find it works well.</p>

<p>I have an EOS 3 and an EOS 30 both are brilliant 35mm cameras. But as others say the 3 is the noisiest brick on the market. However would consider selling it if any one is interested. Have Tokina Lenses on both at moment 28-70 ATX pro f2.8. Would sell those as well.</p>

<p> </p>

<p ><em>Not sure if I'd like the eye focus control on the 3 and others. Can it be turned off?</em></p>

YES.

 

I kept a 10S and added an EOS 3 to my 35mm line-up. I am also on my 3rd DSLR body.

The EOS 3 is super solid, esp. with the extra PB-E2 power grip attached.

 

Lenses? I know you'll love the 85mm 1.8. I also think the 24-70 2.8L is a *perfect* lens for 35mm format.

 

<p>Get the EOS-3 with the PB-E2 grip. The PB-E2 improves handling. Load it up with Energizer lithium disposable AA batteries. It's probably the last set of batteries you'll have to buy for the camera.</p>

<p>The ECF is extremely useful for action photography. Enable the continuous servo focus. Indicate the rough focus point by looking at it. Burn through 36 frames in 5 seconds. Out of the 36 frames, 30 will be composed and focused perfectly.</p>

<p>The EOS 3 and/or EOS 1V would be my choice. I'm very happy with mine. I recently purchased a mint++ EOS 3 for $100 from a person switching to Nikon, so the bargains are out there. Check out KEH.com too.<br>

FWIW, the EOS 1N doesn't have full ETTLsupport which is why I've stayed away from those bodies.</p>

<p>If a used 1V is outside of your budget range, don't shy away from the Elan 7 series of cameras for a moment. They work well, have a great feature set, and they are DIRT cheap today. They are also compatible with ETTL strobes, where many earlier EOS bodies are not. I own a bunch of film cameras, as I still shoot quite a bit of film. Many people suggested the EOS 3 for you, and that is often thought of as the "poor mans EOS 1". It is also a very fine camera. However, the EOS 3 has to be the loudest camera ever made. You might either be arrested for shooting it in a quiet zone, or be too afraid to take a shot in the first place with an EOS 3.</p>

<p>I'm not kidding. The Elan 7 series is a more "consumer" oriented line, but it had the benefit of being the test bed for new technology that eventually made it into the higher end cameras, as well as gaining some tech from previous models like the EOS 3.. Just like the digital Rebels of today. In this case, the Elan 7 series was blessed with "quiet" technology, better AF performance than the EOS 3 (it's on par with the 1V), more refined metering, and even the eye control is bumped up in speed over the EOS 3. Even with it's "consumer" grade of 4 fps shooting speed, it is plenty fast for most applications.</p>

<p>The simple fact is that the Elan 7 series is newer by two years than the EOS 3, and incorporates some nice advances that didn't exist when the 3 hit the market. Did I mention that the EOS 3 is LOUD?</p>

<p>OK, enough EOS 3 bashing. I do like it, but it doesn't sound right for the needs you described. Here is the Elan 7e. I bought this one from KEH "as is" awhile back. The pop up flash tube doesn't fire, but everything else works perfectly. Since I hate pop up flash units with passion, and never use them, I was happy that this one was inoperative, as the camera only cost $8. It has been a fine performer ever since. If you like pop up flash units, you can buy the same model in excellent condition, and with all parts operating perfectly for about $25-$50. There are some later versions of the Elan 7 that are also dirt cheap. Check out the features and choose. There is something to be said for using a full featured, ultra reliable camera that still offers up to date performance and compatibility specs, yet costs less than a new plastic hood for the lens pictured here.....</p>

<p>How can you beat that? Buy two.....</p>

<p>By the way, the eye controlled focus point feature is a real hoot on the Elan cameras. It works better than the version on the older 3 model, especially for old guys who need reading glasses like me, and it can also be switched off if you care to do so.<br /> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4450358911_350a112e96.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></p>

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