Term definition

[diego_garcia]

Hello everybody. I'm just about to buy a new camera, but I just can't decide between an Elan 7e and an EOS A2e. I've been analizing its features and there are some I don't know what do the mean, anybody who can give me a hand ???

 

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What is "AE Lock" and "FE Lock" ???

 

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And regarding Auto-Focus sensitivity....what is "EV 0 - 18" and "EV 1 - 18" ???

 

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Thank you.....

[colin_miller3]

I would stay away from the A2e. It is really old technology whereas

the 7e is brand new. Even newer and faster in some ways than the pro

body EOS-3. Unless you really want an A2e. They are dirt cheap now

that the 7 is out.<p>AE lock is auto exposure lock. When you activate

the button, the meter locks on whichever focus point it is pointed

at. You use it when you find something that is white in the

viewfinder and then lock AE lock it, then dial in +2 exposure

compensation. That would give you near perfect exposure.<p>FE lock is

the flash equivalent of AE lock. Same thing but for flash.<p>EV is

Ellis Vener. Sorry. Couldn't resist. Hopefully someone gets that.

It's and old joke from photo.net. Seriously, EV is a number that is

another way of saying 1/15th and f/1.8. Or 1/500th and f/5.6. Those

would be two different EV numbers, btw. It also depends on film

speed. The lower the number, the darker the scene you're metering. If

you look at a 7e manual, it should have an EV table in there. You can

see what EV means easier than I can explain it. How it relates to AF

performance is that the more sensitive the AF system, it will

properly focus in a low EV situation. It's also dependant on fast

lenses. f/2.8 and faster. I'm pretty sure the AF EV ratings are with

a f/1.4 lens.

[jim_strutz]

Some people will give Colin Miller an argument about not getting the

A2e. In many respects it is a better camera. It's heavier & feels

more robust. It's motor is a bit faster. It was designed for the

Advanced amature/semi-pro/professional. Were the Elan 7e is designed

for the amature/advanced amature. The A2e has a better vertical grip

that comes with an extra main dial, but no AA battery pack. It also

has a real spot meter and a near infrared AF assist light. It also

has a command dial that is prone to early retirement.

 

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The Elan 7e has better eye control, better flash metering, faster AF,

but AF that is not as sensitive in low light. And the AF assist is

the lousy flickering flash type. Very anoying.

 

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Along with Colin, I prefer the Elan 7.

 

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Colin is correct; AEL = Auto Exposure Lock, FEL = Flash Exposure

Lock, EV = Ellis Vener - No. Strike that. Exposure Value.

 

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EV 1-18 = Dark to very bright, EV 0-18 = Very dark to very light.

[brad_hutcheson]

I'd go for the 7 as well. Unless you need a really advanced camera,

the only thing I have seen that is a problem with it is the stupid

new AF assist light - it uses the built in flash. Lots of people

complain that it doesn't have spot metering, but as I usually point

out, I used an AE1 with nothing but center weighted metering with

success for a decade before I bought an Elan IIe. If you need the

really advanced features that are available, you need to look at an

EOS 3 or 1V. If you are just a hobbyist, the Elan 7 will probably do

more than you will ever use. The advanced flash metering (E-TTL) and

the features that are part of it like FE Lock are reason enough for

me to say avoid the A2E, since it is the only EOS left that can't use

E-TTL. Be sure to get some good lenses if you don't already own an

EOS system, and a good Canon EX series flash and a tripod would be a

good idea as well.

[dfdncithekxlbn8kaglf33]

As an EOS 5 owner, I am happy with the bodies. Even with a recent

Command dial failure. I usd the Elan and did not like it at first use,

but any camera I own I will make mine and not the model. Thus,

anything you get you should learn to use to your benefit; model is not

an issue here.

[puppy_face2]

I own both cameras and like them both for different reasons. The Elan

7E is very small and light and I drag it along whenever I bike or need

to travel light. I love the cute little thing but I tend not to use it

for serious photography. For that, I whip out my EOS 3 and A2.

 

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The features of the EOS 5/A2E/A2 are designed for the serious

photographer. As mentioned above, it has a true spot meter and better

low light AF and exposure sensitivity. However, one look through the

viewfinder of the A2 and you'll know why it's been around so long:

big, bright and contrasty. I can see the glory of my compositions much

better than in the Elan 7. The Elan 7 viewfinder is small and somewhat

dimmer. I use a grid screen to aid in composition in my A2. I really

miss it when I use the Elan 7 as it doesn't allow interchangeable

screens.

 

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Moreover, heavy glass balances much better on the A2 (I use the

vertical grip extensions on both cameras). Even my 28-135 IS feels

front heavy on the Elan 7. I can hold the A2 more steady due to its

larger mass and size. The tiny Elan seems to "bob" around more.

 

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I don't use much flash but I agree that the E-TTL of the Elan 7 is a

little better than the A-TTL of the A2, but I normally have good

results with my 430ez when used for fill. The Elan's build in flash is

only TTL so you'll need an external unit (420ex or 550ex) to actually

use the advanced E-TTL abilities.

 

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However, they're both darn good cameras in their own ways and you

can't go wrong with either one.

[diego_garcia]

Thanks for the responses, I was in a little doubt but now I'm sure.

I'm going with the Elan 7e. I got a real good price for body and

lens, and it is a little over my budget, but that won't be a problem.

Thanks all...