autofocus, speed, ergonomy.

none

autofocus is extremely fast and accurate. Exposures are always very good in any condition.
Buttons are in the right places and....
you can use the ultrasonic lenses.
What do you want more? Much lighter than a N90
and so much better.

Similar Products Used:

None

I've owned Three EOS 5's since 1993. One was destroyed when blown over on a tripod with a 300mm.F4L attached. Although it was still working, Canon totalled it out because the mirror box was bent beyond repair. I still use the broken one for demos in my photo classes and workshops-so much for the concerns about it being fragile. The 300L also survived but needed a new mounting flange. I originally bought an A2 which I quickly traded when I found out that the EOS 5 had a calibrated exposure scale in manual rather than the matching triangles in the A2E/A2. As a slide shooter this was critical. Each year I run a workshop on Canon
EOS cameras so I have to keep myself well informed of this product line. I agree with the many other reviewers that this is the most feature packed camera short of the EOS-l series. With the vertical grip it feels better than a 1-N or EOS-3 similarly configured. It feels almost exactly the same horizontally or vertically. There are a few other positives which some of the other reviewers missed. For one, the focusing sensors at the extreme end are perfect for portraits and wading birds in the vertical format. Although the EOS 3 & IV have more sensors, they don't reach out as far whereas I can focus on an eyebrow without cutting off the top of a subject's head. The frame rate in servo mode is conservatively rated. If you select a single focusing point rather than using eye control or letting the camera make the selection, the frame rate can go to 4.1 fps. I've verified this on four different bodies. The depth of field and mirror lock functions are definite pluses along with the 1/200 sec. top sych speed. By the way, no one mentioned that the manual synch speed can be selected at 1/60, 1/90, 1/125, or 1/200 for studio work by setting the command dial on "X". The rear wheel then controls the shutter and the front wheel takes over the aperture. A great camera for a serious photographer including pros who don't subject their cameras to abusive conditions. Don't underestimate the built in flash. The fresnel lens does zoom as focal length increases. With a 28-105 USM or 85 1.8 USM and flash exposure compensation set at -l.5 stops, the fill flash is extremely good.
Incidentally, this is one of the few cameras that enables you to set exposure compensation for both ambient and flash light at the same time.

Initially had overexposure problems which Canon fixed @ no charge, even though the EOS 5 is a gray market camera. Turned out the computer sensor they put into the hot shoe for adjustment on the A2E also works on the 5.
The electronic cable release is incredibly awkward to screw in-sometimes I just keep it attached to the camera. Despite the wonderful ergonomics of the vertical grip, I wish it took AA rechargeables. Focusing screens are limited but if you have the patience of a saint you can cut down the double split image screen "Ec" made for the EOS-1 series and make it fit, but you will need to raise ISO by 2/3 of a stop because the screen is optically denser than those made for the A2E/5 Also, the red squares on the 5 focusing points only work with the stock screen, not the accessory ones. This was improved in the 1N which actually projects the focusing squares.
The A2E/5 was initially overpriced, selling for over $600 but the "clearance prices" on them now are about right.

The longevity speaks for itself. What other EOS
model has survived just under 10 years. Where can you get 5 frames continuous/4.1 tracking in a 24 oz. camera without a booster? Add to that the mirror lock and depth of field controls and a good selection of custom functions,and it was a bargain even at its high introductory price. For the life of me I don't know why they did't make an EOS 5N with 7 focusing spots and faster AF.

Customer Service

I'm only 40 minutes from Canon USA in Jamesburg and they have always treated me well. I've never had a breakdown on an EOS 5. I must be blessed to have never broken a command dial,but one of my workshop participants did.

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I've handled all the EOS cameras except the manual focus EF which was a variant of the original Rebel.

Professional level features at an affordable price
great handling and metering
intuitive to use

Control knob hard to rotate
Cable release socket

I have had this camera for 4 years, and do not plan to sell it until a digital camera comes around which can match or surpass the features of the A2E. Granted, there are newer cameras with better AF...however, for the serious, non-professional user, this camera provides everything one would ever need. My only minor complaint is the control knob. I have sweaty palms and it is very difficult to rotate the knob sometimes. I like the design of the Elan IIE. My only major gripe is the electronic cable release socket..almost all the time, the cable release will come loose. If you a serious photographer on a limited budget, please do yourself a favor and buy this camera with the vertical grip (A MUST). This camera, with its current price, is a bargain new, and a steal used!!!

Customer Service

I live 10 minutes from Canon's Western U.S. "headquarters"...have taken my flash in for repair...excellent service..but you pay for it!!!

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel
Canon Elan
Canon Elan IIE

Excellent metering, very accurate and consistent, which can deal with awkward lighting situations very capably. Very impressed with speed and accuracy of autofocusing, esp. when using USM lenses. Eye control focus is an excellent bonus too, Once calibrated and after a little practice, I found it indispensible for wildlife photography. Feels solid, esp. with vertical grip mounted. 5 fps is very useful, particularly for wildlife and sports photography. Impressive that this is achieved without external motordrive or battery pack! Excellent spec, which includes an array of features and custom functions. One of the most useful features is the spot metering, which I use almost everytime I use the camera. Contrary to other reviews, the internal flash on my camera has proven to be very good; good exposures, good control over the output also. So far, this camera has handled everythibg

Would prefer to have layout similar to EOS 3 & 1 instead of functon dial. Also, battery compartment cover feels a little fragile, although in practice never had any actual problems with this.

Well spec'd camera, that delivers a lot of features and high quality results at a very reasonable price. A great camera for serious enthusiast who knows how take advantage of the plethora of features available, or indeed to the professional seeking a second body to back-up his/her EOS 1 or 3.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 100fn, EOS 1N

Plenty of features

The command dial broke after 2 years

I always thought this problem won't happen to me but today it just broke and the camera is completely dead. I learn from photo.net that it costs a lot to fix. I'd like to remind any future canon users to avoid this body eos5/A2.

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None

1) Versatile
2) User-friendly/intuitive
3) Easy to load film in a hurry
4) 5 frames per second
5) Very quiet

It *is* expensive, especially on a student's budget.

I absolutely *love* this camera. As it is my first SLR, I can't really compare it with anything else I've tried. It wasn't the camera I had originally intended to buy - mainly because of the initial expense - but after doing plenty of research, I decided it fit my criteria the best and went for it. I wasn't looking for a specific manufacturer, but Canon produced the best package for the amount I was eventually prepared to spend.

Since my area of interest is motorsports, I wanted something that would be equally at home either in the pits/paddock or out on the track. My previous camera (Pentax Espio 735 G point & shoot)was good for driver portraits and paddock work, but couldn't cut it with action shots and panning.

The EOS 5 has coped with pretty well much everything I have thrown at it at race meetings so far, from stills taken at 28mm to action shots at 300mm. And with the 5fps, I can capture crashes and action as it happens without the fear of missing anything.

The lack of noticeable shutter lag (compared to the Pentax) is a boon, because it makes the difference between capturing a car going past at 140 mph or missing it completely, as is the WYSIWYG viewfinder.

I like the different shooting modes available; from full manual to full auto with just about everything else in between. It allows me to be flexible, and choose what I need when I need it. The shooting modes have been well thought out and potentially cover every eventuality one is likely to meet at a race track.

I also use this camera to take photos of carbon fibre composite test samples for my PhD dissertation, both during and after impact. Fast shutter speed allows me to capture what is happening (freeze it effectively), as does the 5fps servo drive. Once I have pre-focused the camera, all I need to do is keep the shutter button depressed. However, as the samples are predominantly black, the AF can hunt a bit when taking post-impact evaluation images. But then that's nit-picking, griping about that.

In general, this is a very capable piece of equipment, with excellent ergonomics. I have quite small hands, yet the camera is comfortable to hold and use. It feels solid (but not heavy) and the build quality is excellent. This is one quality camera - at a recent British GT & F3 meeting at Brands Hatch, more than 50% of the pros covering the event were using EOS 5's. Enough said. Period.

My work can be found at http://www.thruxton.f9.co.uk/gallery-circuit.htm for any of you who are interested.

Customer Service

none needed *yet*

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None

Cross-type centre focus point, active at F5.6
Short viewfinder blackout
General specs are good
Internal flash is suprisingly capable

Appalling build quality for the level of camera it is.
ECF is too slow to be usable in many situations.
Now outdated (no E-TTL, no vertical ECF, slow ECF)
Vertical grip is not a battery pack also.

For its time, this camera was revolutionary. Now, nine years later, it's really showing its age.

Eye control works, but with a 250ms lag (1/4s), it is way too slow for many situations. The EOS 50e (125ms) and EOS 3 (67ms) have improved on this considerably, also allowing ECF when used vertically.

The panels on the body creak and groan in use, as weight is shifted around, particularly when using large, heavy lenses.

The vertical grip is very solid, with a great feel and the controls. But why didn't Canon take the opportunity to include space for 4 AA batteries with such a power-hungry camera?

The central focusing point (the only one I use now) is cross-type, even at F5.6, the only such sensor in the EOS system. Even the EOS 3/1V are cross type at F4 and faster (min lens aperture) (but they are high-precision, which the EOS 5 is not). This means that in some situations the EOS 5 will focus while the EOS 3 hunts.

The internal flash of this camera has a guide number of 13-17m, depending on the zoom setting. It has 28mm, 50mm, and 80mm (or is it 70?) settings. It is surprisingly handy.

The bottom line is that now the EOS 30 (Elan 7e) and EOS 3 mean that there is no reason to buy this camera. However, an EOS 5N could take the world by storm...

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1000FN
Canon EOS 10
Canon EOS 3
Canon EOS 1
Canon EOS 1V

Eye controlled focus works well (although can be a bit distracting at the race track) and the eye-controlled depth of field preview is great when needed (no fumbling for the dammned button).
The built-in flash is quite useful for those situation where a fill-in is required and the speedlite is still sitting in the camera bag.

AF assist not using the assist light on the 540EZ is a bit of a pain with a larger lens.
Can't shoot IR film.
Backlight on the LCD panel would be nice.

I upgraded to the EOS 5 from an EOS 500N and couldn't be happier. I mostly shoot motorsport and with 3-5 fps, easier selection of focus points(although the eye controlled just isn't usable for some events) and the feel in the hand when coupled with the VG-10, I now have a camera body that I am very happy with.

With the addition of a Speedlite 540EZ this is now a package that has all the features I need (and plenty that I haven't used and will probably never need to).

Customer Service

Not experienced it yet.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 500N
EOS 1
EF 35mm 1.8
EF 28-80mm 4.5-5.6
EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 USM
EF 75-300mm II 4.5-5.6
VG-10 Ver

Since I upgraded a while ago from an EOS 1000, the quality of my photography increased 10 fold. I found myself trying things I had previously thought impossible. Great body!

None, I am not even being cautious with the control dial.

If you can't afford the EOS 3 then this is the camera for you. The prices are falling all the time and this body is a bargin. Get it now.

Customer Service

Not yet tested, the dealer was more than helpful.

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Tried using various flashes, a Cobra 440AF and a manual Sunpak 455, but none as good as my new 540EZ. Also get the VG10

Good camera with tons of options such as built-in flash, eye-control autofocus, center-weighted, spot, and eye-controlled matrix meterings. Lots of program modes. Hight speed film winding.

My main control dials went out after two years of usage. It costed $100 to fix.

This is a good camera for users from entry level to advance photographers.

Pros: Good and accurate autoexposure systems. I have used this numerous times, and it has always done a good job. Autofocus system is also very good, fast and quiet if you can get it to work just right, and that will require some effort if you wear glasses like me. Lots of custom function, including setting flash sync speed at 1/200 second (I think this is correct, if not then it must be 1/250 second). Built-in flash is useful and very accurate as fill-in. The aperture dial in the back of the camera is very well placed.

Cons: Like I said above, the main control dial went out. I got it fixed, and the mechanic said because the gear was made out of plastic. Standard flash sync speed is 1/60 second, which will cause blurr if action picture such as dancing is taken. To fix it, one would have to set it in the custom function. The smaller on-off dial, which is used to turn on the aperture dial button (only used in manual mode), is difficult to use.

Over all I think it's a good camera. I wouldn't buying another one. I will give it 4.5 stars only because I am saving 5-star rating for some other cameras such as Nikon F5, Canon EOS-1n or EOS-3. Round down to 4 stars.

Customer Service

Did not use.

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Canon AE1, T70, and Minolta MG-X