Canon Body Upgrade - Another A2/Elan 7/EOS 3

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After reading through several articles posted about the Elan 7/7e and EOS 3, I am a little hestitant to go out and purchase one of these products.

Currently, I have a Canon EOS A2 that has been a diehard workhorse for me. However, I am beginning to do more and more semi-professional shoots and have pondered on getting a better camera body, which brings me to my question -

My thoughts on upgrading are to either replace my current A2 and purchase a new EOS 3, or to add an Elan 7 or another A2 to my lineup.

Here are my concerns which I'm hoping some of you could reflect informed opinions on:

EOS 3: I've read that the EOS 3 is pretty noisy, how many of you who own one feel it's "too" noisy for quiet shooting situations, such as wildlife or even wedding photography?

Elan 7/7e: Apparently the 7 series does not have spot metering or MLU, two features which I've used quite extensively with my A2. However, I'm wondering if the new meter in the 7 is a better meter and I could sacrifice the spot meter feature?

EOS A2: I already own one, very familiar with controls and features. This would basically be for a second body. Are the new bodies (EOS 3/7) better by design and features, do they meter better or are built more rugged?

Thanks

-- Bill Meyer (meyerwj@louisville.stortek.com), November 29, 2000

Answers

Bill (I guess that this is more of a rant than an answer), I don't see any point in getting a new body just because it's out there. If there are features which you need, then by all means get a second body that has them. If you can live with whatever metering limitations you perceive the A2 to have (you know when and how much compensation is needed), and the autofocus does the job, then I'd vote for a second one. Having two bodies can be very useful, and if both bodies are functionally identical it'll make things much easier for you.

Jeff

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), November 29, 2000.


Jeff, I guess that's why I'm asking the questions. To find out if there are features which would be beneficial. Due to the lack of spot metering and MLU, I've pretty much ruled the Elan 7 out (both these features would have been easy for Canon to add???).

So my focus goes to the EOS 3, is it worth getting, or should I just get another A2...

-- Bill Meyer (meyerwj@louisville.stortek.com), November 29, 2000.


I have read reviews which explicitly state that the Canon Elan7/7e does indeed have true mirror lockup.

Here is a web site with canon cameras' features you can look at: http://www.photozone.de/canoncamera.htm

-- Howard Z (howard@howardz.com), November 29, 2000.


Both the 3 and Elan 7 have a much superior flash system, better metering and more features. You mentioned weddings so flash might be important to you. They will also do high speed flash sync for better fill flash outdoors.

Also, if you use an IS lens with CF#4, the A2 will not power up the IS unless you keep your finger on the AE Lock button. That kind of defeats the purpose of CF#4.

Also, both the 3 & Elan 7 have faster AF and faster eye control. Not that the A2 isn't already fairly quick.

The questions are; how much do you need the spot meter? How valuable is quiet to you? (I think the 3 is too noisy for weddings, etc.) How valuable is better flash? Will you ever want an IS lens with CF#4?

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), November 29, 2000.


contrary to the above post, the a2 can keep the image stabilizer on without holding down the ae lock button--it is however a somewhat inconvenient hassle. you have to first autofocus with the ae lock button--at the same time put your finger on the shutter--you can then let go of the ae lock button and as long as you don't let off the shutter, the image stabilizer stays on. kind of a pain. on newer cameras, when using custom function four, does the shutter button activate i.s. when pushed by itself?

-- josh hansen (whoha33@aol.com), December 05, 2000.


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