Canon Elan 7E (real info)

[christopher_long]

I work at a camera store so I also saw the new product info on the

7. It seems very nice in my oppinion. True, I wish it had spot

metering, but I think I can live without it. I like that fact that

it has a metal top and front cover and the 4fps drive is great. They

are supposed to ship Oct. 1 and I will be purchasing one of the first

ones to come to our store. It felt very solid for the few minutes I

was able to handle it when the Canon rep was in. The four button

focus point selector (like Nikon) seems to be a great addition. I

can't wait to get some more experience with it.......1 more month.

[vlad_didenko1]

Some - very high level, though, - information is at the european site

at the http://www.canon-europa.com/eos33/ URL. Specifications are

there. BTW, the AF configuration described there as well.

 

<p>

 

Regards...

[milan_kus1]

Pretty detailed description is on

http://www.eos-magazine.com/News_25_EOS30specs.html

[matthew_smith1]

It has, appearently, MIRROR LOCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!

 

<p>

 

N65 has a DOF preview, and a mid level canon model has real MLU???

 

<p>

 

What will they think up next????

[chuck]

"N65 has a DOF preview, and a mid level canon model has real MLU???

What will they think up next???? "<P>

Maybe an interchangible lens digital SLR for $199.99?

[kuan_ju_liu1]

Wolf Camera in Palo Alto just quoted me November 1 as the expected

delivery date.

 

<p>

 

Has anyone found a place that can do better?

[john_mccormack]

Most retailers are taking orders for the late October delivery of the

ELAN 7, but I suppose it could be later.

 

<p>

 

FYI: [as always, the following is subject to correction by

somebody. :)]

 

<p>

 

I just returned from looking at the ELAN 7. Below are some of my

impressions and answers for those of you who sent me questions to ask

about it. There were lots of people clamoring to use the camera (I've

got the bruises to prove it), so I couldn't calibrate or use the ECF

or check out every function.

 

<p>

 

1. The AF assist light of the onboard flash appears to require a very

low light level to activate. We had trouble getting the AF assist to

blink even with the ISO set to 16. We had to stick the camera under a

cloth to get it to flash. There is a complicated four-setting CF (CF-

7) to turn it off completely. Situations that would activate the AF

assist would probably require one to use an external flash anyway.

 

<p>

 

2. The Mirror Lock Up seems to be a true MLU, not pre-fire like the

ELAN II. The MLU default time is not ten seconds as we feared; the

ten second default is only when the self-timer with MLU is activated.

Normal MLU works as follows: Set MLU ON (CF5 - 1); press shutter or

remote release (RC-1 or RS60-E3). Press shutter button or release

again and shutter fires. If you don't press the shutter/remote again

within 30 seconds, shutter will fire. I hope I got this right.

Someone said the MLU works the same as MLU on the EOS 1v.

 

<p>

 

4. Mirror black out time is mercifully brief and mirror slap has been

dampened.

 

<p>

 

5. The Whisper Drive film advance is excellent! This baby is very

quiet. At least as quiet as the original ELAN and much quieter than

the EOS 3 or ELAN II - or even the Contax G2. Only the Hexar AF is

quieter, IMO. The PR says: "Quietest coreless motors ever in EOS

camera."

 

<p>

 

5. The ELAN 7 uses an IR film counter. This would probably fog the

sprocket holes/border of IR film. Not a big deal.

 

<p>

 

6. The body is smaller and a bit lighter than the ELAN II/IIe but fit

my (average size) hands well. Even with a lens mounted, it felt

considerably light to me, but it could have been the lightweight 28-

90mm lens that was on the body. The texture of the black poly. body

looked a little chintzy to me, but it was a preproduction body and

had been given lots of rough treatment by the public.

 

<p>

 

7. Toggling through the functions for ISO, Red Eye Reduction, Beeper,

Multiple Exposures, Flash Exp. Comp., and AEB, is easy, and the icons

are displayed on the top LCD panel in a vertical row of icons. The

nice thing about this is that the last function accessed is set in

memory, so that the next time you push the FUNCtion button, the last

function used is displayed first. This lets you return to the

function you use the most, say AEB or Flash Exposure Compensation.

And, FUNCtions that are set ON always show an arrow > pointing at it.

Most of the other controls are familiar to ELAN II/IIe users and

would take little usage to become intuitive.

 

<p>

 

8. Depth of Field preview is electronic with a dedicated switch and

works in all modes. There's no Eye Control DOF function on the ELAN

7/e.

 

<p>

 

9. If Eye Control Focus is important to you, the PR says AF response

time is the fastest yet: 55 ms. for the 7, versus 65 ms. for the EOS

3, 220 ms. for the A2e/5 and 120 ms. for the ELAN II/e. Your mileage

may vary. The 7 also has Eye Control Servo AF and Predictive AI Servo

AF (from the EOS 1v.) I had no opportunity to test these AF modes.

 

<p>

 

Bottom line impressions. The 7 should be a good camera for advanced

amateurs and for situations where you need to shoot discreetly like

weddings or meetings or for street shooting. This is not a

groundbreaking camera, but adds to the EOS mid-class/advance amateur

line. If I didn't have a camera in this price range, the 7 would be

my first choice for the amateur shooting I do. Since I have an ELAN

II, I'm not sure I need what the 7 offers - the camera isn't going to

make me a better photographer. But the quiet operation, light weight,

fast motor drive and improved (?) metering are tempting.

 

[john_mccormack]

Colin pointed out that the seven AF points are a real asset for him.

It is one thing I hadn't really considered at the time since the ECF

on the camera I was using wasn't calibrated for my eyes. I did notice

that letting the camera choose the AF point(s) automatically seemed

to work well and went to the area(s) I would have chosen.

 

<p>

 

Also, someone pointed out that the MLU probably works like the MLU on

the EOS 3: if you don't press the shutter/remote button a second time

w/ MLU ON, the mirror returns to its original position. I'm still

unclear on this...

[m_stephenson]

One feature that is missing is an inter-changeable screen - I like to

use a "grid" screen to help keep my horizon lines straight). This

feature is available in the A2, but not the Elan II. I'm surprised

that if the Elan 7 is suppose to be replacing both the A2 & the Elan

II, that they didn't keep this feature.

[nguyen_thang1]

I don't think the introduction of Elan 7 was meant for replacing Both

A2 and ElanII. It doesn't make sense to put features like spot

metering and interchangeable screens on an amatuer body (Elan 7).

This will take away the sale of EOS 3. It seems like the entire EOS

lineup (1V, 3, Elan 7, Rebel 2000) is one step up from the previous

lineup (1N, A2, ElanII, Rebel G).

[zach_vorvis]

I'm surprised the Elan 7/7e isn't readily available yet in the

States. I was in Toronto in early October and bought a 7e from

Vistek photo on the 6th.

 

<p>

 

If anybody really has to have it now now now, try www.vistek.net, or

www.henrys.com. Both sites are for stores in Toronto (and other

cities in Canada) and they offer online shopping. Henry's will let

you shop in USD or CAN too. Vistek is offering the body for $750 CAN

and at Henry's it's $700 CAN (I talked Vistek down by telling them

Henry's price).

 

<p>

 

By the way, I'm super happy with the body. The ECF is so fast I

don't even know I'm doing it (the sign of a truly useful function).

Film advance/rewind is super quiet. Only disappointment is the low

light autofocus assist. The built in flash sends out a series of

very annoying and bright pulses. Any living subject would simply run

away from the agony of the flashes. Solutions are to get an external

flash with it's own autofocus assist, or just turn the assist off

with the CF.

[john_mccormack]

Re: >I'm surprised the Elan 7/7e isn't readily available yet in the

>States.

 

<p>

 

The 7e is available from B&H and Adorama, but the first supply at B&H

was exhausted quickly. Fortunately, I got my order in early while they

were closed :)

[tj_sullivan]

Just got mine Yesterday from B+H and put it to the test by

photographing the last of the migrating snow geese passing through

Vermont. My Elan II has always been barely usable with birds in

flight as attempts last week reminded me.

 

<p>

 

I was surprised by how good the eye control works. I wear glasses and

did not expect it to be very usable. Even more accurate and

responsive than the EOS 3. Of course it only has seven focus points

to track instead of 45. Just read the section on calibration tips and

follow it precisely and in different lighting conditions.

 

<p>

 

Very quiet, fast focusing, good focus tracking and fast frame

advance. All noticably better than Elan IIe. Along with eye control,

CF 11 gives you several interesting and useful options for focus

point selection. Solidly built. Very useful depth of field preview

that allows you to see the results as you change the aperature. True

Mirror Lock up or with 10 second timer delay.

 

<p>

 

Minuses - Still no spot metter! Big mistake Canon. You will loose

sales on this one to nikon's n80. Especially since the diagram of

their metering system shows how easy it would be to incorperate A 3%

spot into this camera. Perhaps a firmware upgrade with custom

Function to choose between spot or partial?:-)

 

<p>

 

- Although I really like the true mirror lock-up I wish it still had

the 2 second timer option. Perhaps another Custom function addition?

 

<p>

 

- Does not focus with lens combinations beyond 5.6 and wish it could

record shooting data. I think advanced amatueres would find these

options far more useful than most pros and see no reason why this

camera could not have both without significantly raising the price.

 

<p>

 

Overall I am very happy with the camera so far. But the jury is out

until I get the slides back next week. Perhaps matrix metering has

improved so much that I will not miss the spot. We shall see.

[mitch_leonard]

Does anybody know if the built-in flash will provide full coverage

even if a larger diameter lens (28-70 f/2.8 L) is used? It seems that

prior body styles were not able to cover the full area and left dark

corners in the image.

 

<p>

 

Thanks

[john_d.2]

Considering whether to buy the Elan 7e or the Elan IIe...I hear all

these gripes about the new autofocus assist system and what not. Don't

know if I should just save money and settle for the older model. Pros?

Cons?

Out of curiosity, I've heard Canon's standard 28-80mm USM lens was

basically a hunk of junk -- has there been any improvement in the new

28-90mm lens?

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

[tj_sullivan]

I have not tested the Built in flash yet but it seems identical, in

terms of distance above the lens, to the IIe. With my 28-135is,

without hood, the IIe flash would cover the entire frame but the lens

would cast a shadow into the frame unless the subject and ground were

very far away. Guess that is another grip with the new camera

especially since the 28-135is is such a popular lens and similar in

size to the 28-70 2.8. Canon could have made the flash raise higher

like the n80

 

<p>

 

I plan on using an external flash most the time, which would also

solve the focus assist issue. The cameras focus assist will only fire

if you lift the flash up manual. This is fine with me as it keeps me

from accidentally surprising my subjects.

 

<p>

 

For lens choices I would really recomend the 28-135is even with the

flash issue. If money is an issue go for the 28-105. Both these

lenses are much better than the 20-80 and I am sure they still beat

the new 28-90.

 

<p>

 

Dispite the gripes I still really like the camera and think it the

better choice over the nikon n80 unless you already have nikon

lenses. The 7e is good enough for me to decide to sell my old IIe.

But if you do not need faster autofocus, real mirror lockup, dioptric

adjustment, usable eyecontrol focus, or easy to use depth of field

preview all in a very quiet camera, then the IIe is the way to go.

[mark_mitchell4]

Just got mine today from B&H. Seems solid, lots of nice features and

finally, a body with MLU & DOF button for under $600.00, about time.

Seems like it will be a good second body to my 1N.

[john_mccormack]

What I like about the ELAN 7/e so far:

 

<p>

 

Eye relief is very good. I can compose a shot with both eyes open and

still see everything in the viewfinder. YMMV.

 

<p>

 

Eye Control Focus (ECF) works pretty well for me, but I'm still

calibrating the 7/e. I didn't have ECF on my Elan II so I can't

compare its speed or accuracy with any other ECF version.

 

<p>

 

Fits snugly in (my) hands. Vertical holding is very good and should be

outstanding with the vertical grip. The 7 feels more "dense" than the

Elan II, though weight is slightly less. The right side grip of the 7

protrudes less than the II's grip due to the smaller batteries used in

the 7.

 

<p>

 

True Mirror Lock-Up. Works the same way as MLU on the EOS 3.

 

<p>

 

The DEP mode on the 7 works the same as on the II/e. Some people

speculated that the 7 used Auto-DEP as on the Rebel 2000 (Not true.)

 

<p>

 

Mirror black out time is mercifully short.

 

<p>

 

The 7 is the quietest SLR I've ever used (including the original

Elan).

 

<p>

 

The eye cup fits better than the one on my older Elan II (My Elan II's

cup was a loosey goosey.)

 

<p>

 

Luckily, you can turn off the AF assist light; that flashing strobe

will wake the dead!

 

<p>

 

The AE lock button has a lighter pressure level.

 

<p>

 

Did I mention that it's quiet?

 

<p>

 

It makes me a better photographer - NOT.

 

<p>

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

<p>

 

What I don't like about the Elan 7/e so far:

 

<p>

 

The metering modes switch of the Elan II is gone. Metering is now done

through a FUNCtion button on the back of the camera. Not nearly as

functional, in my opinion.

 

<p>

 

The jury is out on whether the metering of the 7 is any better than

the metering on the Elan II. Checking the camera's meter against an

incident meter revealed that the 7's reflective meter MAY be

underexposing about 1 stop in all metering modes. I have not, repeat

NOT, tested the 7's meter with slide film yet.

 

<p>

 

No IR AF assist light.

[danh]

Regarding the lack of infrared assist light: I plan on getting the ST-

E2 and just leaving it atop the Elan 7e (and using the 420EX in slave

mode).

 

<p>

 

Wouldn't this combination (7 + ST-E2) provide the same infrared

assist benefits at the Elan II? Granted, it's a shame to have to

suffer the extra weight and bulk of the ST-E2, but it's a lot less

bulky than a flash--and I mostly do available light shooting under

low light conditions, so would welcome the much less intrusive

infrared assist for focusing.

 

<p>

 

Dan

[howard_z]

Who says the Elan 7 needs an AF assist light?

At what low light level does is this needed?

 

<p>

 

I read a review of the EOS 3 saying it autofocuses fine in

light that requires 10 seconds exposure at F2.8 with ASA100 film.

And the EOS 3 has no AF assist light.

[howard_z]

The Elan7/7e is supposed to autofocus in the range of EV1 to EV18.

Using ISO 100 film,

EV1 = 1 second exposure at F1.4 (low light condition), and

EV18 = 1/4000 second exposure at F8 (high light light).

 

<p>

 

So, if you are in a low light situation and put on your

50mmF1.4 lense, then as long as there is enough light to

properly expose your ASA100 film in 1 full second, then

there is enough light to AF.

 

<p>

 

So here you are with your tripod and mirror lockup camera

taking a picture, and the light is so bad that you must

use a F1.4 lens and set the shutter for one second for ASA 100 film

(or 1/8 second for ASA 800 film). Obviously you are not taking

pictures of people since they just can't stay perfectly still

for 1/8 second. But yet, the AF is supposed to work under this

extreme low light condition.

 

<p>

 

P.S. I am no expert photographer, and currently run around with

my nearly 20 year old AE1P. If I am erroneous here, please point

it out.

[howard_z]

Sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself here.

Anyways

Now that I think more about it, if the lighting

is less than EV1, and you are of course using a flash,

then it is very possible that the AF

will need AF flash assist.

[carl_auer]

I just recieved my 7e and 420EX flash from cameraworld.com, and I am

very excited. The main things I like with the camera are:

 

<p>

 

1. Mirror Lock Up

2. Quick Eye Control Focus

3. DEP AE setting

4. Nice button possitioning

 

<p>

 

The Flash I like a lot. The model light feature is cool, and both

rotate and tilt features. I would have rather had the Elan 7e be able

to trigger the wireless feature than have to go get either the

transmitter or a 550EX flash.

 

<p>

 

The one thing I would add to a wish it had this list would be a PC

connect for studio strobes.

[orlando_pabotoy]

Hey all I've been reading up on all you guys coments on the ELAN 7E

and am about to get myself one. Through Regencycamera.com? Does

anyone know if this place is okay? They have ELAN 7E Kit listed for

$529.00 cheapest one I could find. Any suggestions would be greatly

appreciated. Thanks alot.

[john_w.]

Regency are CROOKS!!!!! Copy and paste the following link!!

Scrool down to Regency"

http://www.photo.net/neighbor/one-subcategory?id=2

The following is my story.

I called Regency to order a Canon lens (28-105mm USM). I was quoted

$184.99 for grey and $229.99 for

the USA version. I requested the USA lens. I was charged 5% for

shipping (a bit high) but no biggie. When I

received the lens, no USA warrantee card was included. I had been

charged for the USA lens but was shipped

the grey lens. I contacted the sales person via phone and was told

I received the USA lens. I contacted Canon

USA and they confirmed it was a grey lens. I then called Regency

customer service and got jerked around

pretty good. I finally got in touch with a manager in the customer

service, and had a good knock down drag out

fight. He told me to ship the lens back (at my expense) and would

not be reimbursed the shipping charges either

way. When I contacted Canon USA, they assured me with a grey

market Canon product, they would repair it

with only a sales receipt (FYI Nikon won't). I was happy to keep

the grey lens know knowing this. I simply

told the manager at Regency, "OK I will contact my C.C. company

and stop payment (DON'T EVER EVER

USE A DEBIT CARD!!!). He now had realized I was in the drivers

seat. He stated he would issue a refund of

$45.00. I then told him it's $47.25 (5% shipping)! He agreed and

sure enough I received the refund. I have

been in the Automobile business for most of my life and know all

too well about bait and switch. I don't get

intimidated!! If a meek mild mannered had this experience, it may

have turned out much differently.