Canon EOS Elan 7E/Elan 30

Canon's Elan 7 packs one big punch in the quality of its prints and the user friendly way it was designed. This camera is equivelent to the Digital Canon 20D that photographers everywhere are in love with.

When I first made the switch from a Canon Rebel G to the Elan 7 I wasn't sure if the quailty would improve at all. I'm glad I chose to dump my Rebel G for this camera because after the first roll I was absolutely amazed at its crystal clear images. Thanks largely to the 7 focusing system and improved light meter even the Automatic pictures are better then all others.

I've compared my pictures to other SLR cameras, including my old Rebel G and the comparison was no contest. Since buying this camera 1 year ago I have taken aprox. 1000 pictures with it. Some I know I could enter into contests and probably win.

I recommend this camera to anyone asking about film SLR cameras. As do many others I know. It's a great camera and if or when you are ready to move onto a Canon EOS digital SLR the lens for this camera can be used for the digital SLR camera.

Review by ChristopherMartin

This camera, like so many consumer Canons, offers lots of features for the price. It's also pleasant to hold, easy to figure out, and offers outstanding functionality among its peers. However, while I can't complain of any compromise in performance as a result, I don't care for Canon's extensive use of polycarbonate in the camera chassis. Nor do I find the Elan 7/7E/30's light weight reassuring. Neither gives the impression of durability, though to be fair none of the Canons I've owned have ever experienced a structural failure related to the use of this engineering plastic.

The 35-zone evaluative meter works fairly well for ambient light and flash with one qualification: that you either use the eye-control feature to place an AF point in the vicinity of the subject or you do so manually. This is crucial because the system weights exposure at the active AF point, so if your subject is at extreme left, but your active focusing point is at the center where the EV is, say, significantly higher, you'll probably end up with an underexposed image. The centerweighted meter works as expected and should prove reliable for those willing to learn or already skilled in its application. The partial meter, however, I find frustrating because of its too-broad (IMHO) coverage as well as lack of precise indication on the viewfinder screen. AF is silent with USM lenses and speedy in bright light. The viewfinder, while commendable across its entire field compared to similar Nikons and Minoltas, is a little on the dim side, offers just adequate eye relief, and, sadly, shows less of the on-film image than the previous Elan II/IIE/50/50E.

Overall, a good little camera that could easily be great with just a few functional enhancements and more metal than plastic in its structure.

I bought the Canon EOS 35mm SLR camera because of my satisfaction with other canon lenses. I am satisied with the camera and would be happy to recommend it to friends.

This camera has a great feel, operates flawlessly and has more bells and whistles than I would use. This camera can be operated easily by anyone with little explanation. In the handles of any pro that shoots 35mm you can get a glimpse of greatness.

I enjoy using the camera. I have noticed that I would have preferred the eye-control feature for focusing on primary subject that are not in the foreground.

I bought the 24-85 USM lense. A little vignetting at 24mm. Little flare. A pro recommended and uses the Tamron 28-300 XR (62mm filter) as a utility lense. I have one on order for an upcoming trip. His shots on Fujichrome Sensia 100 were flawless. I shoot Sensia also and it shows all any mistakes when you view it at 7 feet across. I hope that my shots will come through as nicely.

I have the Canon EOS Elan 7E QD (the "QD" stands for Quartz Data, or data back, which I leave off about 95% of the time), known as the EOS 30 QD outside of North America.

This is my second Canon EOS (the first being the EOS Elan/100, circa 1994). I use the built-in flash sparingly.

I prefer the Canon Speedlite 550EX (purchased along with this body), which has a wider flash range and, since the flash head is further away from the lens, practically eliminates "red-eye."

The lens I use on this camera is the excellent EF 24-85mm USM lens; the extra wide-angle coverage really came in handily on a recent trip to Europe. I only wish my otherwise excellent Leica C1 compact (print film companion, reviewed separately) had coverage wider than 38mm.

I use Fuji Sensia 100 slide film (have tried the "pro" Provia 100F; excellent, without a doubt, but IMHO not worth the extra $) with this camera (and have used it with my old Elan). Excellent film for an excellent camera!

Always get the best lens, not 3rd party, for best results.

Got 28-135 IS USM (always test it first in shop, my first one clicked and had a flake inside! Changed it immediately.

Eye control can be tiresome to use, and only if you have time to mess about. Otherwise for action shots anticipate and pre-focus etc...

I'm relatively new to SLR photography but very experience in the research and purchasing aspect of the hobby. Choosing this model was not easy, but it came out the clear winner in my books. I want a camera which I could grow into and in time hopefully not grow out of. Professional models were out of the question ($) and this was the next best thing (in my opinion).

As I said before it is NEW technology, which for me ranked it higher than its Canon competition (namely a brand new Elan IIE/Eos 50E and a used EOS 5.)

If you're starting out this is all the camera you may ever need, however it also will not restrict you should you wish to persue the hobby in more depth.

I plan on buying the 28-105 USM or 28-135 USM IS. From various reviews thes are the two clear winners as first lenses.

At some point I also plan on buying the 75-300USM zoom. If I can afford it I will get the IS model, we'll just have to see.

This camera won't disapoint you, I had an EOS 300 for a week before I took it back, the two just don't even compare.

Smartest purchase I ever made, >See for yourself @

camerareview.com

photo.net

photographreview.com

Good Luck:)