I have had my Canon Rebel G for the past 5 years. I did not have any problems until now. The camera developed shutter problems on my last vacation. I am being told that the repair will be more than $100. I am debating between getting the shutter repaired or buying a Canon Rebel 2000 body. What should I do? I am going to stick with Canon since I already have two really nices USM lenses (28mm-105mm) and (100mm-300mm).

-- Eileen (ineen@yahoo.com), August 25, 2001

Answers

I'll vote for a new camera.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), August 25, 2001.

Eileen,

I would also vote for a new body. Over $100 for repairs to a body that may need more repairs in the future, versus approximately $250 for a Rebel 2000 body. Also, if you are ready to move up to a more advanced body, the Elan 7 can be had for around $400 ($450 for the 7E eye controlled focusing model).

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), August 26, 2001.

I have decided to get a new camera body given that I have some other existing problems (thread of cable release is stripped and screen inside of camera has some damage).

Given that I have not had any experience with a camera with eye focus, I don't know how beneficial that feature is. I guess I have to do some more research to see if I am ready to shell out more money for the more expensive camera body.

-- Eileen (ineen@yahoo.com), August 26, 2001.

Eileen,

Whether or not Eye Control Focus holds any interest for you (this is definitely a love it or hate it item) -- the Elan 7 has many more features that you might find useful if you have found your Rebel at all limiting you at times.

It has a faster film advance (not that I encourage ripping through film at 4 frames per second, but rather that the camera is ready for the next shot that much quicker). By the same token, lag time before the camera actually takes the picture from when you press all the way down on the shutter release button is shorter. It auto-focuses more quickly. It has a brighter viewfinder, built in diopter correction (if you have less than perfect vision, like many of us), is quieter, has a higher top shutter speed, a wonderful rear command dial that you can use to set aperture (among other things), and has custom functions you can set (including a workable mirror lockup for those critical minimum vibration situations).

The body can be purchased with the Eye Control Focus gimmick/innovation (depending on your view), called the Elan 7E or without (the Elan 7). Of course, there are more new EOS body choices out there (as well as used ones). My recommendation is to go to a camera store that has several bodies to choose from, and handle them all (with your lenses if possible). Learn from a knowledgeable sales representative what the key differences are, get a feel for the bodies (i.e. Rebel 2000, Elan 7, Elan 7E, EOS 3), and see which of them have the right feel/features/price for your present & near future needs.

I’d be curious to know what you finally decide. Please come back and tell us (& why you chose it)! Good hunting! :-)

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), August 26, 2001.

A very useful but underappreciated feature that the Elan 7 (and higher) cameras has is *true* DEP mode. The Rebels have a limited DEP mode. In DEP mode, you can specify the exact range of depth of field and the camera will achieve it for you.

Here's how it works: In DEP mode, autofocus on the farthest object you want sharp. This is saved as DEP 1. Autofocus on the closest object you want sharp. This is saved as DEP 2. Compose your picture and the camera will set the proper aperture, shutter, and focus distance to achieve that specific depth of field. It is very convenient and easier than trying to gauge depth of field with a DOF preview.

The DEP modes on the Rebels don't allow you to specify the points of focus.

Also, it you can find the Elan II/IIe, that would be an excellent option as well. The II/IIe have an infra-red patterned focus assist light that is very unobtrusive and greatly helps focusing in low light. This useful feature didn't make it to the Elan 7, unfortunately.

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Thanks for that information. I was not aware that the depth of field functionality was different.

-- Eileen (ineen@yahoo.com), September 01, 2001.