Description: The Elan 7/7E retains many of the advanced features of the extremely popular Elan II, while adding a number of new features starting with the re-design of its exterior. The camera’s compact body incorporates a durable metal top cover and a simplified control layout for easier access to the camera’s features and functions.
Summary: I switched to the Eos-line not too long ago. My first Af SLR was Canon's 3000v, good for a beginner, but pretty soon you start to see the disadvanteges of the camera. I spotted Eos 30 long before i could afford buying it, it was almost like a dream-camera; then a could buy one used. I'm very satisfied. The 4 fps shooting speed, the wide range of shutter-speed's is quite impressive (after switching from a rebel, I've never even senn a 1V, or Eos 3....). Finally i can use a remote switch! Handling is easy, after you get used to it, costum functions are very-very useful. The additional battery-pack is goodl, holding the camera just feels better. (Nevertheless, I'd be a lot happier if it included an additional controll dial, next to the shutter-release and the AE-lock buttons.)
Strengths: speed, feel, looks, costum functios; pretty much everything.
Weaknesses: no illuminated lcd (the newer version of the camera includes this feature), af in low light (you can live with it, a fast lens or a speedlite flash attached (you can set the flash just to use af-assist, without firing) can solve the problem.)
Summary: During my ventures into the wilds to capture photos of grizzly and black bears I used a Rebel 2000 as my workhorse. However, when I became more demanding in the quality of my work I also became more demanding in my camera. I went looking for something in the EOS line that a workaholic/recent college grad could afford. After a little research I came upon the Elan line and decided on the 7E model. I LOVE this camera.
Cosmetically the 7E is very slick and poses an intimidating look, especially with the bp-300 battery pack. The battery pack gives a great hold for verticle shots and adds a second shutter button. My main wildlife lens is a Sigma 170-500, take the tripod collar off and the combo balances well and can get good handheld shots with enough light and fast film. The camera has sturdy construction as well.
Special features: Lots!
The camera loads film to the first available shot instead of going to the end of the roll like the Rebel so I can put in the film, close the back, and start shooting in about three seconds. The rewind can be put in a whisper quiet mode so the photo subject isn't disturbed, nice when the subject is 500 pounds and has sharp claws. Shutter action and film advance is very quiet also.
The eye control focus works wonders if callibrated properly and frequently. I bought mine used so I had to recallibrate from the previous owner. Also, callibrate the way you shoot, if you shoot hunched over a tripod callibrate that way.
The mirror lockup feature is great for sceanery shots, those grand vistas in the Rockies can be captured without mirror shake. However, my Elan didn't come with an viewfinder cover. The cover is needed to keep light out so the light meter only calculates for the area in front of the camera. My old Canon A-1 had one built in.
In manual mode the shutter and aperature are controlled by two seperate dials so adjustments can be made faster.
The wireless remote is a great feature, the remote goes onto a holder that attaches to the shoulder strap and STAYS there. However, I'm not sure what the engineers were thinking by putting a remote sensor only on the front. It looks kind of strange when I reach in front of the body to use the wireless remote.
The 7E has many custom functions, and half of them involve fillflash and flash metering. I don't use a flash in the field much, actually, at all. Some bears have been known to charge a camera flash because it disturbs them, one such bear up in Minnesota became known as Red Eye.
Alas, my only true complaint about this camera is one common to all newer cameras, I CAN'T USE INFRARED FILM because of the infrared sensor used to advance the film! My Pentax 645 has a mechanism to wind film without the use of IR sensors, why can't my new one do that?
Overall, this camera is a great value. If you can find a slightly used on in great shape, it will be well worth the investment.
Strengths: Solid construction and sleek look.
Super quiet shutter and rewind.
Eye-control focusing, mirror lockup, wireless remote are helpfull.
Can get an extra 1/3 f stop at the small end out of my lenses (which is nice).
Weaknesses: Wireless remote sensor only on front the front.
No viewfinder cover.
CAN'T USE IR FILM!
Similar Products Used: Canon Rebel 2000
Canon A-1 (I borrow one for Infrared work)
Summary: This camera has given me complete satisfaction during the 3 years I used it (I have now gone digital since sept04 with the EOS20D).
The build quality is very good for its level (compare apples with apples). It has survied my 3 years of intensive outdoor use without any scratch or problem, in fact I would defy anyone to tell the difference with a new one, and it followed me on top of many mountains, in the cold and heat.
It is light and reasonably small so it is very easy to take it around with you.
The functionalities provided are more than any keen amateur photography will ever need, only thing missing as far as I am concerned is spot metering which I would have prefered instead of the provided partial metering. The focusing is accurate. Although I bought the E version which has the eye focus control, I have almost never used it. It never really worked properly for me, despite all the calibration (but I guess it was down to the fact that I wear glasses). But for outdoor use this was not an issue for me anyway.
The shutter is extremelly quite.
In terms of image quality, well this is more down to the lenses you put in front of it, and I personnaly used it with the Canon 28-135mm IS and 100-400mm IS lenses, and it produced beautifully sharp, clear, contrasty and saturated shots (see my web site for many examples www.sambitton-photography.com).
I always used the camera with its battery pack BP-300, which I found very usefull, espcially when working with the big zoom (100-400mm) as it gives a much better grip to the camera. Its build quality is of the same standard to the camera.
So in summary this is a very good camera for the advance amateur or the professional looking for a backup body.
Now that I have gone digital I am selling mine and the day I find a buyer, it will be hard to see it go (if you are interested to buy it, refer to my website www.sambitton-photography.com).
Strengths: Almost everything really!
But in mainly:
- well built
- more functionalities than any advanced amateur will ever need
- light and small enought to carry around
Weaknesses: - Eye focusing didn't really work for me (but probably because I wear glasses)
- Spot metering would be nice instead of partial
Similar Products Used: Canon EOS 300
Canon EOS 20D
Summary: I am going to give this camera an unreserved 5 both for design and value. It isn't perfect of course but the main defect for me lies in the EOS system. Do not assume that the camera is cleverer than you, if you have some photo knowledge there are some things you can do better! That's why the EOS system provides a manual setting. I particularly refer to close up work where, frankly, the EOS is plain dumb. Unless you are copying a two dimensional object like a document then the thing that you desperately need in close-up work is DEPTH of FIELD. There is no auto setting that will give you it - even DEP because that won't work with flash (quite aside from being slow and clumsy). First thing - don't throw away that much maligned 28-80mm consumer zoom. It focusses down to 38cm which is closer than most, also at 80mm it stops down to f38. Again better than most other lenses. Also it is small and doesn't shadow the flash. You have to use M - set shutter speed at 20 or 30 and aperture at f38. Use the flash and, for preference 200 ASA film. At about 35 to 40cm you will get correct exposure. Why? Well that built-in flash has a guide number of 13 (in metres) with 100ASA. With 200 ASA it is more like GN 20. Multiply say one third of a metre by f38 and you get about 13 - right? Go out to 0.40m and the 200 ASA is a bit more appropriate. With a #1 close up lens (covers 0.25 to 0.35m roughly) the 100 ASA is fine. Try it. Let the camera do its best, then repeat the shot using manual. Manual will give several cm of good sharp image whilst the EOS system will deliver largely fuzz. I would like the Elan 7E flash to be higher (like the Digitals) and I find the eye control gives a bit too much choice, but I was used to a 50E with only three points. The BP-300 grip is great though it takes up a lot of room in a gadget bag. I am sticking with this camera until Canon do a 14 megapixel full frame digital for the same price as as the Elan. Yep, I have got a wait on my hands but it will happen one day. My lenses - apart from that 28-80mm - are the 24-85 USM which is brilliant, a Tokina 80-400 ATX (slow to focus and noisy, but sharp)and a Sigma 15-30mm (huge, it is bigger than my Cosina Voigtlander Bessa and 15mm lens combined!)
Strengths: Quite light, comfortable to hold, does everything (almost) extremely well, the body and a set of very nice lenses cost less than a digital SLR body.
Weaknesses: Stowing the body with BP-300 attached - and the BP takes up even more room off the body! Canon must be able to do a good automatic setting for close-ups. C'mon!
Similar Products Used: Going back a bit - Konica FS-1, Ricoh XRM, then EOS 500 and EOS 50. Not similar C-V Bessa and Bronica ETRSi
Summary: A great Amateur to Professional quality camera and system to build on. No sense repeating what's already been said in other reviews. Keep reading about problems with the 7E's eye control focus? I wear bi-focal (progressive) eyeglasses. My eye control works great. And by the way, the more you use and calibrate - the better it gets.
Can not emphasize enough about reading/studying the camera's manual - not just this one, but any camera's regardless of manufacturers. I still keep the manual's to my A1, AE1, and even the AT1 handy when using them. Although I have to admit, since acquisition of the Elan 7E . . . well, they just don't get much use these days.
At the time of my decision, I did consider the Elan 7NE which was just announced. However, couldn't understand the possibility of a better camera than the 7E with less retail. But with Canon, you never know.
Spend the extra few bucks for some better glass than the 28-80 or 90mm package. It's worth it! Also, the BP300 should be a necessity and well worth the price. Better grip and balance.
Strengths: USM
Comfortable Controls
Custom Functions (13) Great!! (Did I mention "Read the manual")
Eye Control - (Calibrate, Calibrate, Calibrate) it's worth it!
Great Film - Mid-roll features
Weaknesses: Really haven't found any yet. This my first AF and still having a hard time believing my equipment was "really that out-dated."
Similar Products Used: Canon "A" Series SLR's
Customer Service: Have never to date used on any of my Canon Equipment.
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