Description: The EOS ELAN 7N/7NE incorporates a host of features that Canon owners have asked for, including a 7-point, wide-area focusing system, backlit display, Canon's Whisper Drive technology, enhanced E-TTL II autoflash, all in a nearly silent, elegant and rugged package.
Fastest AF in its class
7-point AF with Eye Control (in Elan 7NE)
Exposure: Program AE with variable shift, Shutter Priority, Aperture-Priority, Depth-of-Field AE, Full Auto, scene modes, Manual, w. exposure compensation, and auto exposure bracketing
35-zone TTL w. Evaluative, 10% focus point-linked partial metering, and Center-weighted average
Summary: After having experimented with digital phtography for some time I was anxious to get an SLR and have full control. soo, which one to get... I had it between the Nikon N75 and the Elan 7n(E). Finally got a chance to feel the N75 and :P I'd read people warning about it being for people for "small hands," but I thought I'd be fine. Nope. The thing felt so weak in my hands, cluttered, yuk.
I went with the more expensive Canon and I don't regret it. I'd only dealt with K-1000's in the past (except for my little digi-cam) so I assumed I'd be overwhelmed by the features. Wrong. I've had the camera for only 3 weeks and it's like another appendage already.
The cam has a great look to it and I can tell already that it will be with me for years to come.
*When buying, look for a good price and ask yourself if you really need the E model or if you want it just because the eye control function sounds cool. I just got the 7N and it's a superb cam.
Strengths: -looks great, simple blk.
-doesn't feel nor look cheap (in comparison with the other SLR's in the
beginner/imtermediate price range)
- 4fps!!!!!
- simple interface for so many features
- in full manual mode different dials for shutter-speed and apr.
- silent (but not OVERLY silent like some HEARING IMPAIRED people might have you believe. If you're in a noisy area, you will probably barely hear it. In a quiet room though, it's just a muffled camera. Either way, the silence level is a positive.)
Weaknesses: - can't shoot infrared film (if that happens to be your thing)
Customer Service: check out Alkit cameras on eBay. you can get a refurb model of one of these for a great price (I saved $100), and the store has a million good reviews. I got mine there and no problems whatsoever. Can't go wrong.
Summary: Canon Elan 7NE is an excellent camera for an amateur and professional alike. It handles very well, is very fast, and has plenty of options to be well worth the money.
Strengths: I am starting to really enjoy my Elan 7NE. I have been using it for several months now, and it has grown on me significantly. I am not very demanding, in fact my previous camera was a fully manual old-school Nikon F5. I very much like Elan's eye control, which, after you get it tuned focuses very quickly. You do not need to select any focus points, or anything. I think this is a huge advantage to this camera. When you are shooting action, the last thing you need to do is to have to find a focus point.
The camera is very well built, certainly good enough for professionals. At the same time, it is also a great camera for an ameteur or a student.
This camera also has quite a few useful custom functions. I find it particularly useful to have the film leader left out on rewind. I can partially shoot a roll, record a number of frames shot, and use a different film, if for example shooting conditions, or subjects change. This is a huge plus. Yes, I know film retrievers work well, but if I am out shooting, the last thing I want to do is to fish for a film leader.
The camera is well shaped, and has a good gripping surface. An optional bp-300 battery grip is a must, as far as I am concerned. I hate replacing batteries. I always keep rechargables on hand.
Overall, this is a great camera. I have not found any real problems to speak of. The only thing that I disliked was the strap, which I immediately replaced with a neoprene padded strap. Otherwise this camera is excellent.
Summary: When I sold my Rebel G was the only film camera that I wanted bellow 350Euros. Serves me well till know and I recomende with all trust because this is a very very very good film camera and have "full frame sensor" :)
Strengths: Very good light metering system, fast AF in low light situation, heavy buit and with BP attached is great.
Summary: The price listed is in Canadian $$ and includes the 28-105 f3.5-f4.5 USM lens.
What lead me to purchase this camera was the price. I had initially decided on a Rebel Ti after comparing it to the Nikon F/N75 - more features, less money. When I got to the store I was told that for an extra $30 I could get the model up, and 'new' Elan 7N. Can't pass that up, right? After I got the camera and did some more comparisons I realized the deal I had. This camera has the most features in the price range, and it is 1 step below the pro models in Canon's line. This means a wealth of features, a low price, and not as heavy. I use it with the battery grip almost always. If I want to travel light, I remove the grip and put on the 50mm lens - very compact and light. Otherwise, with the grip it has a good weight, and feels solid, without being too heavy. I agree with many about the DOF preview button - hard to find while looking through the viewfinder. For an advanced amateur (like me) this is a perfect camera that allows room to grow and learn.
Summary: I purchased the Elan 7N to replace my Elan 7, and for all intents and purposes they are twins -- except the things that made me decide to make the switch. First off, I like having an illuminated display, it makes a big difference during dawn and dusk shooting. I also like the newer version more in the cosmetic sense, I know it sounds a bit shallow, but I think the 7N is better looking. The finish of the body just plain looks better, it doesn't have that plasticky sheen that the 7 has. It also is supposed to focus better at low light, which I have noticed slightly, and its supposed perform better with the 420EX dedicated flash -- which I will soon see. All in all, Canon took a very fine intermediate camera and polished it up a bit.
Strengths: All of the brains of the Elan 7 with a prettier package and a few nicer features. It is still the best mid level camera out there.
Weaknesses: It also inhereted a couple from the Elan 7, namely the lack of a true spot meter, and a back door that seems a little flimsy. These two sniggles by no way deterred me from buying either camera, but I seems to bother some people.
Similar Products Used: Elan 7
Nikon N75
Pentax ZX-30
Customer Service: Haven't needed Canon's. I can say that Adorama is great though.
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