Old Rebel-type bodies to supplement Digital Rebel?

[wbowman]

How reliable are older Rebel film bodies? When I travel I shoot mostly

with a Digital Rebel, but I like to shoot some film (especially B&W

and low-contrast color). Up to now I've been dragging either something

from my collection of MF Nikon gear (FM, FE2, AI lenses) or a Minolta

7s II. I'm thinking about buying an older Rebel on auction to carry

around instead. I would mostly use a 50mm or 35mm prime with it, but

I'd like the option to share lenses with the digital (not the EF-S kit

lens, of course). I'm not too concerned about features as I will

welcome even a basic P mode and slow AF. I'm more concerned about how

long these things really work. It looks like a lot of people are

unloading their SLRs when they buy a digital. Are these plastic

outcasts still good user bodies or should I spend much more for a mid-

or pro-level body? If the answer is "no" to the Rebels what are your

alternative suggestions?

[adnan_76]

They're good cameras. I took mine to Saudi earlier this year with a 24/2.8 and it tossed around in my unpadded backpack for three weeks. A lot of dust, a little moisture, but never any hiccups. I've had it for four years now.

[s_hassan]

I would recommend a used elan 7. it is great cametra and you can get it cheaper now. If you dont mind not having Ettl II(Elan 7N)

[phule]

If light-weight is the order of the day, the Rebel 2000 or Rebel Ti would be fine choices.

[terry_smith2]

I've had an EOS 10s since 1991. It's heavier than the Rebel series, but it's got lots more features like a 5 FPS drive, DOF preview, custom functions, metal lens mount, and so on.

[rob_murray]

The Rebel TI and T2 are low priced, lightweight and have

a lot of features as a backup film camera.

[jim r]

I've had a Rebel Xs since 1995 and it is a tough little camera. I typically grab my EOS 3, but when I need something smaller or don't want to bring an EX flash unit, the Rebel Xs works just fine. I think about selling it to help finance lens purchases but never do. Someday I'll pass it to me daughter, great for small hands.

[phil vaughan - yorkshire u]

The Rebel 2000 (EOS 300) is the camera the 300d is based on, it's OK (same limitations as DR / 300d). The 500 (don't know the US name) was OK too (fewer AF points) the later Rebels (Ti and X) are better cameras (on a feature basis) than the 300d (digital Rebel). They should hold up OK, they're cheap and light.

[splat]

If you are happy with the digital rebel then you should be fine with a film one. I had a rebel 2000 (300) and a digital rebel and they went well together. Since you have a digital rebel you probably aren't in the habit of beating around you camera so the film rebel should hold up fine. Now that I have a 20D I dislike the film rebel because the interface is different.

[bill_hildyard]

Well I use a 500N/Rebel G for exactly that purpose, it's 15 yrs old and still as good as new and never put a foot wrong. It's lightwieght, reliable, nothing special just does the job.

 

On the other hand with all the cheap SLR film bodies about why not get something better, it's at the back of my mind to do that just not sure what to get.

[ron c sunshine coast,qld,a]

As far as electronics and general mechanical reliability go,canon EOS cameras are insanely reliable

<BR>I'm a small time 2nd hand camera equipment dealer so i would see dud examples if there were many around.There are VERY few though.

<BR>Those that die tend to be drowned or dropped from a great height

<P>The exceptions are:

<BR>Older EOS (600,700,800 series,100,10)-these are subject to the decaying shutter bump rubber syndrome.

<BR>In truth later models may be partly susceptable but they tend not to be old enough yet for it to show up. It is fixable but costs so much that it's not worth it.Just clean it off the shutter baldes and keep using it 'till it dies.

 

<BR>EOS 50/elanII -some minor issues with batteries that aren't long enough to press on the contacts hard enough

<BR>EOS 5/A2 - a problem with the main dial breaking it's tiny parts off

 

<P>I heartilly recommend any of the small entry level bodies from the EOS 500/rebel Xs onwards

<br>They are tiny,incredibly light and have allmost all the features one could want,including full manual control

[guyscrivner]

I would highly recommend consideration of the Elan II or IIe. This are reasonably priced and generally offer more features than the Rebels. That is what I have paired up with my Digital Rebel and I am very pleased. Check out the Canon Camera Museum as a reference source.

[wbowman]

Thank you to everyone for all the answers and suggestions!

[mormegil]

Bear in mind the Rebel 2000 only shoots at 1.5 fps. You may find that slow after being use to the Rebel Digital. Besides the sensor, they're pretty much the same camera - differences are 1.5 frames per second, 1/2000 max shutter speed, TTL only internal flash (so no FEL w/o an external flash).