I am considering either of the Elan series as a backup to my EOS 3. Years back I owned an Elan and was happy with the size, weight and overall performance. I have never used the Elan II. If you have used both, please give feedback! Thanks, Steven

-- Steven Hallbert (hallbert@earthlink.net), June 30, 2000

Answers

I still have an old Elan and it's perfect when you need to travel light. It's a little softer than the Elan II, except for the built-in flash. The flash has an auto zoom feature which is kinda loud. In contrast, the Elan II's flash doesn't zoom so it's soundless. The Elan II has a better flash firmwear, i.e., E-TTL rather than A-TTL. I don't use flash much so this doesn't matter to me.

I like the single cross AF sensor of the Elan but many prefer the 3 AF sensors not to mention the ECF of the Elan II. Although ECF works fine with my eyes, it is usually too slow for my style of shooting.

The RC-1 remote shutter release is easier and faster to use than any cable release made (both Elans use this, I wish my other EOS cams could too).

However, the one feature that brings the Elan II head & shoulders over the Elan is the optional vertical release/battery pack. The grip extension for the Elan has no shutter release, battery and not even a tripod socket! The vertical release feature makes using the Elan II as a backup for a EOS 3/PB-E2 totally seamless.

-- doggie face (doggie@aol.com), June 30, 2000.

I still use both. The Elan II wins hands down on all fronts except the Elan is a little quieter and has (I think) a slightly higher max frame rate. I can't really think of any practical reason to pick an Elan over an Elan II unless cosmetics matter and you don't like the look of the II!

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), June 30, 2000.

I recently got an EOS 3 as an upgrade to my ELAN IIe (which I still have).

The nonmenclature is the same so that part will be easy but the controls are quite different. With the '3' all settings (except the audible 'beep') are set with various combinations of buttons and the main control dial/quick dial. On the ELAN II the shooting mode (single/continuous), metering mode, focus mode and program mode are all set with dials or switches on the body. I find the ELAN II somewhat easier to use when changing any of those functions. IMO the ELAN II is also a little quieter. Also the ELAN has a built in flash which can be convenient at time.

Other than that the '3' is better in just about every catagory. It's faster (frame rate, mirror cycle time, AF speed, film rewind), feels better in my hand (this is obviously subjective), meters in 1/3 stops versus the 1/2 for the ELAN.

I'm pleased with both bodies and if you can live with the lower performance level of the ELAN you should be happy.

Dick

-- (RTope@yahoo.com), July 02, 2000.

Might add that the Elan has a tighter center wt meter. 6% compared to the 9.5% on the II. Probably not real important unless you are a nature/macro shooter.

-- Jeff Hallett (franjeff@alltel.net), July 26, 2000.

Consider this... If you have an ex series flash for your EOS-3, you will still have E- TTL when you use this flash with an Elan IIe. If you find yourself utilizing the FEL and monitor preflash on the EOS-3, you will still be able to use this function with the Elan II (e) but not with the original Elan. With an ex series flash, the original Elan will just do TTL, not E- TTL. (nor will it do A-TTL) David Bindle

-- David Bindle (david.bindle@usask.ca), December 05, 2000.