Access to the EOS system, well-rounded features, quiet, great for action photography, rapid AF (lens dependent), great contortionist training device, great VG, 3.5% spot.

design flaws (pop-up flash that doesn't, infamous failure-prone command dial that is also an on/off control (dumb), very poor MF, total reliance on electronics (they fail, you go home), most operations require two or more actions (eg button then dial), woeful control ergonomics, pricey batteries, no AA option, no backlit LCD, too many options but only one '*' button, everything seems hidden from view, no 1/3 stop compensation, no true MLU (why not?), expensive ancillaries (eg cable release), tiny afterthought ECF DOF sensor (surely a necessary feature), tiny back buttons for critical functions (meter mode, bracket control that needs several pushes then more main dial turning), the N70 interface must be a shocker to be worse than this VCR-like interface, camera intrudes on the joy of the photographic experience.

I just hate the sense of powerlessness this otherwise well-speced body gives me when it fails in the field, which it has done twice now (electronics), in six months. Tho' it hasn't gone yet, I handle the Command Dial like it's a grenade. Now, it's D-day for my EOS5. Next failure and it's off to the next victim (with repair warranty to protect them) - 3 strikes and it's out. I'll get a new 50E for my set of Canon's fantastic primes, together with a new FM2N or mint FE2 as the basis for my next system. How Canon can knowingly continue with this flawed model marks them way down in my book.

Customer Service

I'm on first name terms with repair staff (nice helpful people). They are responsive and keep offering me warranty on repairs, still it's a 3 week turnaround, I see now why so many users have 'back-up' bodies.

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'70s manual cameras (Minolta, Pentax, Nikon), looked at other modern cookie cutter AF bodies.

Solidly built. Nice metering system.

No vertical ECF points. ECF doesn't work when composing for vertcial shots. Selector dial is notorious for breaking (mine hasn't)- design flaw?

This has been my workhorse for about 5 years and has been very reliable. The ECF system seems a bit gimmicky to me because my focus points are always somewhere other than where the focus sensors are. Calibration is also very finicky, especially if you wear eyeglasses. The sensors don't work when shooting a vertical composition (duh!). The mirror lockup using the CF function sucks- you have to press the timer when you turn the camera on, or this function doesn't work when using the cable release. The DOF preview focus point is just plain stupid! This also doesn't work when used in a vertical composition. Metering is pretty good, and I like the ease in which you can bracket in 1/2 stop increments. The flash is cheesy.

Customer Service

haven't needed any

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Nikon N90

Built in flash for Casual shooting. Practical placing of controls,

No Horizontal ECF
ECF has a hard time in low light, Battery runs out fast,

Good Camera for it's price. I still recommend people to buy it for the great price.I also don't think it's that old for it to phase out,it has everything a semi pro would want. Even if you have an EOS 3 which i've tried and planning to get as my main camera. YOu can still depend on the EOS 5 as your main or backup anytime,anywhere because its a CANON .

Customer Service

have not tried

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Elan IIe , Ae 1 program
Canon QL

1/8000 shutter speed
Autozoom on-camera flash is powerful enough for normal use.

The vertical grip is very useful.

The camera is very quiet .

Plastic body.
The autofocus assistant light is sometome blocked by a big lens or hood. The light cannot be transfered to the external falsh.

No battery holder in the vertical grip.

The dial on the camera is not easy to turn but it has never been broken. I guess some people broke it because they did not push the central button when they turned the dial.

A nice camera for serious photographer but not for professionals. They usually use Eos-1N.

You could not find a better camera for the same price.

Customer Service

It has yet let me down. The canon internet service is very responsive.

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None

Excellent feel, Eye Controlled focus works great even with glasses. Fast(5 fps)drive, Any bad shots have been my fault, not the cameras.
Top shutter speed of 1/8000, DOF preview, built in fill flash.

Possible Command Dial Breakage. I haven't had a problem, maybe because I make sure I press the lock button first.

As a photographer over 45 years of age, the ole eyesight isn't what it was. The AF on the A2e has never let me down. I use the 28-105 USM and the 50mm MkI. I've yet to have an out of focus pic that was the cameras fault. A great camera that is a very good value.

Customer Service

Not Needed

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Nikon N90S, N70, FE
Canon AE1
Minolta SRT-100, 101, 102

Ergonomics, as usual for a Canon product. Film advance speed: a very impressive 5 fps. Exposure meter, very consistent and reliable. Vertical Grip VG10: recommended for telephoto lenses. Eye controlled focus works very well for me.

Power consumption is quite high. A battery pack a la EOS-1 would have been really great.

Still a very good camera, its age notwithstanding. May be a bit too tall. Eye controlled focus may be limited in comparison with the new EOS-3, but is still very good.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

EOS-100/Elan

Fast AF,VG-10 Grip, Eye Control is Bang on.

Main Control died after six months. Got it fixed, no problems

I have both the EOS 5QD and A2e. I use the A2e in for underwater and it works great! I do prefer the 5's viewfinder showing my exposure settings, but that's not a major concern underwater. Great system for the price!

Customer Service

A2e needed new control dial

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Nikon 801
Nikon F70
Elan IIe
Canon EF 20mm, 50mm Macro, 28-105, 100-300
Tamron 90mm Macro

I am totally smitten with the eye controlled focus. It has always been dead on and is very fast. A wide array of custom functions of this camera body help the photographer customize it for individual pursuits. I especially like the ability to leave the leader of film out for mid roll changes. Rewind is absolutely silent. Great for shooting situations where noise could make or break the picture. The built in flash is very useful and actually helped me make the decision over EOS N, and of course the price is quite attractive

I wish the eye controlled focus worked in the vertical for mat as well. However, the fuzzy logic auto focus is yet to let me down.

A great camera for advanced amatures and professionals. I think the silent rewind of film will be great for wild life and golf coverage

Customer Service

I have not had the need to contact them so far

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Canon Rebel

I bought my EOS 5 2 years ago and it has all the features that I want in a camera. I love the VG-10 grip and I think it's a must with this camera.

So far none.

This is a great camera for the price and it has done well by me. I have a 10S for a backup body and they compliment each other well feature wise. The EOS 5 eye controlled focus works well but I shut it off most of the time when I shooting kids, sports, or animals in the wild. I never use the quartz date feature because it imprints in the image area.
I push the button down evety time I move the function dial so I haven't broken it. I know this camera is at the end of it's product cycle and I'm probably going to buy a second one to replace the 10S when the prices drop.

Customer Service

None

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EOS 10S

Good controls, great with VG-10 grip.

Eye-controlled focus can be difficult to use in certain lighting situations.

Great camera, upgraded from the Rebel G and I am glad I did. I have had nothing but great experiences with this camera. Highly recommended.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Rebel G
AE-1