darin_cozine Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 hello all I am looking for my next camera.. I currently have a small amount of FD gear but I am looking to move up to EOS. I'd like to find a camera body with certain ergonomc appeal. I really dont want to have to take my eye from the veiwfinder. Here is what i am looking for: >multi-mode auto exposure >aperture and shutter speeds visible in the veiwfinder. >exposure compensation easily accessible. >a lightweight but reliable body. any suggestions? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_l1 Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 ALmost all eos cameras have the things you require. But I suggest an EOS 3. Good viewfinder and AF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_cozine Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Ok i will add a few more details. I've seen some bodies where the the exposure compensation is hard to reach when you are in a taking position. I would really like the exposure compensation to be right where my thumb will naturaly rest. I would prefer a rocker-button over a wheel. Something else I use often is depth-of-feild preview. I would really like to have that option in my next body as well. I am looking in the price range of 200-400$ Thats what I think I can get for my FD equipment. Darin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psul_aul Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 $200 to $400 range is going to be an Elan 7 or one of the Rebels. Check them out and see if they have the requirements you are looking for.If you want to buy used in that price range look at an Elan II or an A2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooked on velvia Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 An Elan 7 is your best bet. I bought a Rebel 2000 and within two weeks and 10 rolls of film, I wanted to upgrade. So I would not recommend anything less than the Elan 7. I've played with the EOS 3 and love that camera as well, but cannot justify spending the extra cash. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._d._mcgee Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 I have been using the Elan series for quite some time and absolutely love it. Do yourself a favor and go with the Elan 7! And DONT waste your money on the 7e, the "e" variant is the Eye Control Focus (ECF) version, and I feel like the ECF is a total waste on a the Elan which only has seven focusing points anyway. The Elan 7 is a wonderful camera and it has stout construction for its modest price. It has a rocker switch at the rear plus a dial around the rocker, a great combination, much better than even the higher end EOS 3. The compensation buttons are easily accessible and the controls are like a dream to operate. The only thing I dislike about the Elan and any lower end Canon is the command dial, it seems so arcane and you have to turn it so far to access Manual mode, which is what I mostly shoot in. I wish lower end Canons would be more like their higher-end brothers like the 3 and 1v which stay in M mode even when you turn them off. They do this by using their great combo-button magic. Overall though for your price range you cannot go wrong with the Elan 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_cozine Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Thanks for the quick responses everyone! It looks like the Elan 7 is the way to go for me. The 7-point auto-focus seems a bit restrictive, but I am used to manual anyway. The controls all seem to be in good places, and it has all the features I am looking for. I will have to try it out at the local camera store, but I will have to sell off my other equipment before i can buy. I am intrigued by the EOS 3's eye-control focusing, but I will have to wait until I get more cash. Then I can use the Elan as a backup. :) Darin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_cozine Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Oh FYI I looked at the manual for the elan 7 here: http://eosdoc.com/manuals.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 << I am looking to move up to EOS. I'd like to find a camera body with certain ergonomc appeal. >> The 1V. The best-feeling EOS of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaghi Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Ergonomic camera, lightweight body, you want EOS Rebel Ti (EOS 300V is the same).<br> For more control and more professional body, EOS Elan 7e (EOS 30).<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsaavedra Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 I own both EOS 1v and EOS 33/Elan 7 and I have to say that of course I prefer the EOS 1v but it is true that in terms of best quality-feauters to price ratio Elan 7 is the way to go. On the other hand Elan 7 lacks of some feauters that I consider important, like 100% viewfinder coverage, real spot mettering and main dial control in the vertical grip. I guess for those things and a few more is why 1v costs so much and it's the pro choice. Don't missunderstand me, Elan 7 is a great camera, I love it, but 1v is better (if you can afford it). Hope you find this useful. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy_craig Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 I actually find the 7/7E more easily adjusted with an eye to the viewfinder. With the click-stop knobs, one can be looking thru the viewfinder and adjust metering and exposure modes by turning a dial with just one hand. The 1V requires pushing and holding a certain button (or combination of 2 buttons) and scrolling the top wheel -- takes 2 hands (not 1 like the 7) and IMO therefore more difficult to do without looking at the top panel's LCD (ie. with eye away from the viewfinder). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_cozine Posted July 11, 2003 Author Share Posted July 11, 2003 "The 1V requires pushing and holding a certain button (or combination of 2 buttons) and scrolling the top wheel -- takes 2 hands (not 1 like the 7) and IMO therefore more difficult to do without looking at the top panel's LCD (ie. with eye away from the viewfinder)." Thanks Jeremy. Thats really what I am looking for (being able to control the camera without taking my eye from the viewfinder) -Darin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy_craig Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 There is admittedly trade-off you should be aware of... common consensus is that the 3/1V layout is the way it is to create both better weather-sealing, and to also help avoid inadvertently changing meter/exposure modes (you can't accidently switch modes with a 1V); both of which things make them appealing to "pros". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._d._mcgee Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Exactly, as Jeremy said, the 1v and EOS 3's buttons and dials are the way they are for a reason. The 1v and the 3 use a layout that contains no sliding switches (or two position "flip" style switches) which can be hard to seal against dust and moisture. The power switch on the 1v and 3 is where it is for a reason and is very tight agaisnt the body to prevent dust and moisture also and it slides in a rotating motion so it can be sealed with an o-ring around the center of this (technically the only sliding) switch. The button combinations on the 1v and 3 (the 3 is essientally the same externally as the old 1n) are great for most pros because you can just acidentally flip the metering mode or film advance mode by knocking your finger on a switch or something. I like the combos because they can remain in the mode they are in until you go back and change them yourself, even once the camera is turned off. Ergomically my EOS 3 is much more comfortable than my Elan 7 but the Elan has its obvious advantages and tradeoffs. When it comes down to it you will just have to handle both and see if you are really willing to pay the extra bucks for a 3 or even maybe a 1v. The 3 has other enormous advantages for me which is why I bought it. Advantages such as near zero battery drain in bulb exposures and admittedly better autofocus in low light situations, not to mention slightly better flash exposure system for use with the 550EX speedlight which I love. Flash exposure is almost always perfect with the EOS-3 and 550EX, more often correct than with the Elan 7 and the 420EX. Nevertheless, you should look at both the Elan and the 3 carefully and make a decision based on your budget and how the camera truely feels to you. J.D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._d._mcgee Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 That should be "because you *CAN'T* just acidentally flip the metering" in the second paragraph. sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakim_peled1 Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I have two Elans. The first generation (100) and the third (7e). I find the ergonomics of both very convenient but what I REALLY like is that they are so quiet. I preferred the 7e over the 3 for this reason alone. Happy shooting ,Yakim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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