Description: The Elan 7 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've had this camera since 2003, which is when I got rid of my non working T-90 camera. The T-90 set the benchmark for design and quality. I got the Elan 7 because it was the best I could afford at the time. I have plans to later get a used EOS 1V. I still use film more then digital even today. I already have a Rebel XT and Kodak Digicam. This camera seems well built for its price range. It doesn't have the solid quality of the T-90, but this could be partially due to its low weight. Exposure wise most shots I take with this camera are close enough to get a decent pic from. I like the way the controls are set up. The grip is pretty good as well and I suggest the battery grip for this camera if you have big hands. I got one on mine. The viewfinder is dim compared to older Canons and the 1 series. I like the silent quality to this camera, and it doesn't weight a lot which can be good on trips. I don't have a lot of focus issues with this camera, unlike my Rebel XT which gets the odd shot out of focus. And now that the 7n is out and lower priced, this camera is a good deal. I suggest it to anyone who still likes film.
Summary: Wow! For the price, the Elan 7 performs like a much more pricey SLR. When you hold it, it dous not feel like a cheep plastic toy as with the low end EOS's. I only wish that I had found this camera before I bought the EOS 3, which cost over double.
Strengths: Many components shared with the EOS 3, i.e. auto focus CMOS.
Good construction
Weaknesses: pop-up flashes are never that effective, and this one proves to be the same.
Summary: I received this camera in January of 2004. I got it to supplement my Canon AE1 Program, which is a tank of a machine. I have yet to get a bad shot with the AE-1. I have been do let down by the Elan 7 I can not express my frustration. When I first got the camera there was a problem with it draining batteries with in 48 hours. I tried everything, taking the lens off, making sure all power switches were in the off position, not leaving film in it when it was not in use, everything. I contacted Canon customer service who said there was a problem and to ship it back, they would take care of it. About 3 weeks later I got the camera back with the same problem. I once again contacted Canon customer service who said to ship it again and they would have another look at it. After another 3 weeks I got the camera back from the factory service center again. Once again I put in fresh batteries, and once again they were dead in 48 hours. I called customer service again and told them about the problem, I said I was really reaching a boiling point and I really thought they should do something to make up for my frustration. They agreed to pay for shipping to return the camera again. I Once again sent the camera to the service center and waited for 3 weeks to get it back. Once the camera came back I put fresh batteries in the body and waited. It held the charge just fine, until 2 weeks ago. It started flipping out on me, turning itself on and off and reading dead battery, when I had just put in a fresh set. I called customer service and they told me the problem is with the lens. I said this does not sound like a lens problem, and the camera acted the same way if the lens was on or off the body. I added that if the problem was with the lens it should have been fixed when I sent it back. He said he didn't have a record of the lens ever being in the factory. I felt that his attitude toward the whole situation was flippant and I was a waste of his time. He said he would send me a shipping label and for me to send the camera back. I talked to him on Wednesday morning; I didn't get the shipping letter until Monday. There was no letter, or acknowledgement of our conversation. I have to say at this point I am so tired of Canon and the complete disregard for customer service I am ashamed I ever trumpeted their brand.
On a positive note, when the camera works it takes beautiful pictures. I am thoroughly impressed with the ergonomics and operation of the system. I just wish I could have a little faith in it.
Summary: This is a big step up from my eos 500n. Although the pictures normally aren't any better,it does do a lot better job in difficult lighting conditions. When using my 550EX flash I do get better exposures than with my 500n, seems like light metering is a level higher.Also it has a great feel and just the right weight, that is with the optional battery pack BP-300 which is a must-have imo. Control dials and buttons are all perfectly placed, except for the DOF preview button which is hard to reach and hard to press, it's soo small. Eye control may have been nice, but hey, if I wanted eye control I should have bought the eos 30. Next to that, the focus point that the camera selects is nearly always the one I would've used manually.
I would have liked a backlit LCD very much because I do take quite some night shots and with the oculair cover on there's no way to tell the settings without a flashlight. But that't he only weakness I can find and it's fixed with the Eos 33v which I would have bought if I hadn't found this one this cheap. I'm not going to complain about it not having a true spot meter, 10% partial is good enough for me.
All in all this camera is great value for money, especially with the price I paid I can't complain.
Strengths: -Sturdy
-Great feel
-Fast
-Silent film wind
-Lots of useful custom functions
Weaknesses: -LCD display not backlit.
-DOF button is too small and badly placed.
Similar Products Used: Canon EOS 500n
Some old praktica
Customer Service: For my 500n, requested a manual and got it in the mail only a few days later. No further experience.
Summary: In short the EOS 33 is sensational. It is an excellent package of quality, features and value for money. I purchased this as a backup body to my EOS1V.
It is simple to use and quite intuitive as well as ergonomically excellent - wonderfully compact and light compared to the 1V. It has every feature one could need/want and is very well built. It is just a shame that the door on the back is not a solid as the main body. The light meetering is very accurate and gives the same results as the 1V. Evaluative meeting is very reliable in difficult, contrasty and back-lit situations although you must still compensate in extreme situations as is necessary with any camera. It would be the perfect combination of quality, features and value if the partial meetering was a true spot meter (or at least 4%). But do be careful when using it that you don accidentally depress the mid roll rewind button which is quite prominent on the back.
I took it on a 4 week trip to China and ran 20 rolls through it. It got rough treatment while I switched lenses and bodies in temperatures as low as -4 degrees and it worked faultlessly.
The pop-up flash is only good for emergencies (one can't expect anything more) or small to medium size group shots but it is very accurate. AF with L series and other USM lenses is quiet and quick. True to its reputation, the body is also extremely quiet. Low light AF is fine but limited - however, in that case one should have a speedlight attached which will add AF assist anyway. A fantastic 35mm camera that is probably the best in its class.
Strengths: Features, quality, value for money. An easy to use intelligent camera that is hard to beat.
Weaknesses: Could do with tougher film door like the rest of the body. Features would be perfect if partial metering was true spot metering. But these are very minor issues that do not really detract from the excellent camera this is.
Similar Products Used: EOS 1V; Olympus OM2, OM2n, OM4.
Customer Service: None needed for the EOS33. But when I used it for the EOS1v, I found it to be only satisfactory.
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