SWM Nikon user seeking lower-end Canon EOS for occasional use, the usual night outings and urban walkabout. Me: eyeglass wearer, anal about plane of critical focus in portraits. You: have viewfinder / focusing screen on which I can manually focus a 50/1.8 and a 28/2.8.

Does this camera exist? I love the weight of the low-end EOS bodies but I regularly haul out my F3 or use the "M" setting on the N90 for portrait work... and I've been considering an action finder for the F3 to make that near-eye focus a little easier. USM doesn't really matter to me (only one of the three lenses I'd probably ever buy has it right now) and CF4 isn't necessary either. Light, quiet, and built-in fill flash are my interests.

I've looked at the Rebel 2000, and Elan 2e, and an older 600 series camera (620?) and they all left me thinking I wouldn't be able to judge the focus by my eye. I've heard the A2 / 5 bodies have the same problem (with the original screen, anyway), and used examples are probably at the outer limits of my price range.

Is the RT better in this regard? Are there any sleepers out there in the older EOS lineup? Or am I just a sucker for Nikon's heavy prisms?

-- John O'Connell (joconnell@adelphia.net), September 07, 1999

Answers

The most important part of the question has been answered. The lower end EOS cameras are a pain to focus manually. The do not have interchangeable screens. You can change the screens on the A2, but I'm not positive if they have one with focusing aids (knife edge, microprism).

To correct one post, manual focus Canons use FD lenses, and as he said later in his post, EOS uses EF lenses.

Now for a possible solution. I have a Canon T-60. It is about the size and weight of one of the new Rebels. It takes FD lenses, and is made by Cosina, not Canon. They are available on eBay from time to time, but are no longer sold new. I only paid $150 for mine, including the cost of the 28mm f2.8 I bought from the photo.net classifieds.

My sources say this is the same camera as the Nikon FM10 or FE10. The FE10 includes Aperture Priority exposure like the T-60 does. They both offer higher maximum shutter speeds and faster X-sync than the T-60, and take the nikon lenses you already have. Check them out at www.bhphotovideo.com and I think you will find what you need. The FE10 is $270 with the 35-70 lens. They don't list body only, but auction of the lens if you don't want it. Good luck.

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), September 08, 1999.

If I understand your question correctly, you're asking if there are any accessories for the low-end EOS bodies which aid eyeglasses wearers in judging focus, verticality, etc. I don't believe that interchangable screens are available for the Rebel or Elan series bodies; they are for the RTs/600s, A2/A2E, and higher. Also, there are focussing aids (magnifiers, alternate eyecups, and angle finders) available, depending on body. The A2 series bodies have built-in diopteric adjustments; I'm not sure about the others.

Hope this helps.

-- Scott (bliorg@yahoo.com), September 07, 1999.

This may seem silly, but why buy autofocus for this application?

A used T90 would probably be in your price range, has an appropriate finder and there is lots of choice in EF lenses about at good prices.

To answer your question, the lower end EOSs do not have interchangeable screens and, even if they did, lower end EF lenses (like the 50F1.8 you mention) are not the most convenient to manually focus.

just a thought

-- Mike Milton (mike@arttech.on.ca), September 08, 1999.

I believe the cheapest way to do this with an EOS system is with a 630 and a slpit image or microprism screen. Both are available. The same screens will fit the 620 and 650 but their AF sensors aren't as good, so I'd stick with the 630. Of course you could do the same with a new A2E, but for a bunch more money.

The problem is neither of these bodies are very light. The lightest ones are the new Rebels but their view screens and mirror prisms are not very good.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), September 11, 1999.