Canon EOS A2E/EOS 5

This review is written as of 4-26-05 to express my opinions on this 35mm A2e SLR. UPDATE: Thought the VG-10 Grip for the A2e may not be able to use AA batteries, you may now purchase rechargable 2CR5 batteries! I'm using them instead of disposable 2cr5 ($10) on this camera. Purchased used with the infamous wide angle 28-105 (f/3.5-4.5)USM Canon Lens, it is trully a bargin at compared to what it used to sell for $1400.00 US in mid-90's. I've used this A2e for people, outdoors, and wedding protraits contiously with extremely fine results and have not had a single mechanical problem with it--considered it has been used and on the market for 15 years! Canon does not really make too many professional 35mm SLR changes over a period of time--the A2e stayed on the market, for I believe 8-10 years, before it was discontinued. This SLR is still topping charts on many professional web-sites as it is a trully professional and capable SLR. Just to let you guys know, I'm also a proud owner of light-wieght and portable Canon EOS Rebel T2 slr camera (made it late 2004)--which features Canon's CMOS sensor and E-TTL 2 (which pre-flashes burstes of small flashes to help with conduct proper exposure automatically with the existing light--very advanced!). What made me decide to purchase the Canon EOS a2e was because it is a proffesional SLR that I can afford at this time. It is capable of shooting 5 frames/second (launching of drag-race cars,etc), 3.5% Spot Metering-linkable to any of the 5 autofocus pts and helps give reading the contrast of the subject, has mirror lock-up,rear-curtain flash sync, 1/8000 shutter speed, 1/200 flash (X) sync, and host of 16 custom adjustable features found in only in Canon's professional cameras--identical to Canon's EOS 3! People have complained about having only 1/2 stops in Exposure Compensation--you may manually "fine-tune" it through manual ISO input (as mentioned by Magic Latern Guide). By fine-tuing, I mean in 1/3 stops from as low as ISO 20 (brighter) to ISO 6400 (darker)--now thats fine tuning! My other choice was to get Canon's EOS 3, but was out of my budget--and I rather invest that amount into Canon's Digital D20 SLR (which has been awarded heavily for its awesome performance in well-know magazines and reviews). It has been challenging for me in the beginning to get properly exposed indoor shots because I purchased a Sunpak 4000af external flash--which cannot take advantage of Canon's A-TTL feature found only on Canon's EZ flashes. I find A-TTL to be less efficient that Canon's new E-TTL 2 (found on my EOS Rebel T2) but I'm not utilzing either anways so I rely on the Spot meter on the A2e most of the time to get proper exposure. I eventually got very good at taking night protraits of birthdays and dim indoor lighting with proper shutter speed and aprature settings, and this camera has done just fine in extreme low-light. Out door protraits are deadly-sharp with the 28-105 USM lens (especailly with a polarizer filter). I will stick with this professional slr until I can afford to go Digital (perhaps with Canon's D20) because I am getting incredible results and am extremely happy with this Canon a2e. Oh, by the way, I researched heavily on Nikon's N90s before purchasing the Canon a2e, and found it they are very identical, but the Nikon lacked the ability to shoot 5 frames/sec, had no mirror-lock up (though its construction is better than the Canon A2e), and need external Nikon add-ons to take advantage of those things (extra cash dumped onto 35mm, when everyone's going digital? No way). I rather take the Canon route and share lenses between my A2e and the Rebel T2. Made in Japan lens, made in Japan A2e SLR body--unmatched performance still in 2005. Thank you Canon for producing such a capable SLR.

-Built-quality and weight with 28-105 USM lens on it. -5 frames/second with no external battery pack -1/200 flash-synch. -1/8000 shutter speed -Mirror Lock up -Rear-curtain flash mode -Ultra fast auto focusing with built in red AF assist light on body -decent built-in flash for flash-fill (but needs to be pressed open to be utilized). -16 adjustable custom features. -MADE IN JAPAN quality.

A-ttl flash metering

This is an excellent camera. However, the whole command dial business is pretty shoddy. And with second hand prices so low it doesn't pay to get it fixed. So fix it yourself. I recently got hold of a mint condition example with a broken command dial for 40GBP on Ebay. A complete novice to camera repairs I checked out this article: http://eosdoc.com/manuals/body/5/5DialFix/ and fixed it within a few hours. Try it yourself - it's a shame to see such a good camera gathering dust. Furthermore, I've seen some threads claiming pictures are not very sharp. Unfortunately that's down to the lens and/or (more likely) the photographer.

All the features you need in a 35mm SLR (any missing ones are features you just think you need)

Command dial problem (but now you know what to do) Not as bomb-proof as the EOS 1/3 models (but a fraction of the price)

EOS 1, 3, 50, 600, 300, lots of old SLRs

Not needed

I have been using this camera for about 7 years. It is a great camera and has never failed me. I carry two bodies with me in case the comand dial breaks. The camera has a large focusing light built into the body and does not really need the focus-assist light in the flash. Had the command dial break once. Have not had any problems since I got it fixed. I expect it to break about every 4 years. Next time I plan to get it replaced with the metal piece.

Very light and easy to use camera with an excellent light meter. I highly recommend this camera to anyone who asks.

Command dial breaks, need to carry around 2 cameras to make sure I have a backup.

Canon Rebel 2000 (a toy) Canon Elan 7E (another toy) Nikon F401 (great camera) Nikon N80 (worst auto-focus) no comparison to Canon products.

Great service when compared to Nikon. Nikon people are very rude compared to Canon. This is the main reason, I will never use Nikon again, and will stick to being a canon customer.

Having bought the A2E as a present for my wife, I could not contain my excitement when I brought this home. I've always loved Canon products, and I've considered Canon to be the "Panasonic of photography." Well, that all changed when the command dial went. (Within two months of vey light use) I brought it down to have it fixed, and within a day of it coming back, it was broken again. Now, I would have just chaulked this up to "bad luck", but then I looked into the problem, and found that this was a worldwide epidemic. Canon had nothing nice to tell me, only that this wasn't a design flaw, and no, they wouldn't swap it for the LESSER model (The Elan IIE), and in short, I could just piss off. Needless to say, my ever so high opinion of Canon slipped a few notches. Other than the fact that the command dial spins like a top and changes modes in the slightest breeze, the concept of the camera was great. According to the box, it could do a lot of neat things that I was hoping my wife could try. Alas, it now sits in a case in the closet, likely to never be used again. Thanks, Canon.

Well, the box says it can do a lot of things.

Since the command dial is broken, and spins endlessly, the camera is virtually useless.

Canon Elan II, which is far superior in workmanship. It's durability is timeless.

Non-existant, except for a curtly worded letter telling me that their product was free of flaws, and I must have broken it myself.

I bought my EOS 5 secondhand equipped with VG-10 instead of new EOS 30 which was also offered. With 28-135 IS USM lens the EOS 5 is great for everyday work. Has a tendency to "hunt" though with Sigma 135-400. So far I haven't had any problems with the notorious command dial or with short battery life. ECF works sometimes even with eye glases but I haven't used it much. I recommend for anyone wanting more performance than, say EOS 300. Not enough for pros but for others almost "a camera for the rest of your life".

Ergonomics Fast without booster Several handy Custom Functions Built-in flash VG-10

No 100% coverage viewfinder No E-TTL flash system Cable release socket cover

EOS 300, 500, IX

Not needed