Elan 7(e) vs EOS-3 for 300 4.0L IS lens

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I'm new into photography, esp. wildlife, as hobby, not profession- started with Rebel 2000 with 28-105 USM and 100-300 USM lenses. Looking to move up (both body and telephoto lens) for upcoming wildlife photo trips to Canada and Africa. Can't decide between EOS-3 and Elan 7(e). I'm going to buy the 300 4.0L IS lens and both the extenders to achieve my telephoto needs. (Would do the 300 2.8L IS but for weight- I'd rather handle 2.6lbs than 6lbs and seen reviews that optically the 4.0L IS is tough to tell from 2.8L IS (at one quarter the price). I like that the EOS-3 will allow AF with the 2X (at f/8), but tried it in a store and the mirror slap is god awful. I like the Elan 7(e) whisper quiet (not spook the animals?) but don't like the strobe AF assist feature. Any thoughts on best way to go? Thanks in advance.

-- Steve Ballentine (sballentin@aol.com), September 23, 2001

Answers

I own both cameras and the EF 300 4L USM (non-IS version). I use the Elan 7 with the BP-300 battery pack and the EOS 3 with the BP-E2. Both are fine cameras with different strengths and weaknesses. Obviously, the Elan is the small, light and silent type. Whereas, the EOS 3 is the high performance workhorse with water and dust seals. The EF 300 4L balances well on the EOS 3, both handheld and mounted on a tripod. The same lens on the Elan is extremely front heavy.

By the way, the both the motor drive and mirror slap are softer with the BP-E2 attached. The motor has less of a high pitched whine. The pop-up strobe AF assist light in the Elan may be defeated with CF7-2. You may use the near infrared AF assist light of a Speedlite (a CF may be used to disable flash but allow AF assist) or the ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter.

With the serious investment in time and money for trips to Africa and Canada, you should buy both cameras. This way you'll be ready for any situation and have a backup.

Aloha, Gochugogi http:// alaike.lcc.hawaii.edu/frary/

-- Puppy Face (
doggieface@aol.com), September 24, 2001.


I guess I should put my 300 f4L IS on my Elan IIe before I answer this, but it balances so well on my EOS 3 that I just haven't even bothered to try it on the Elan. The Elan 7 is even smaller than the Elan II, so I would lean toward the EOS 3. Of course I'm biased, since I bought the EOS 3 to use with the 300 f4L IS once I get the 2X extender. Even so, I will say that you will most likely get used to the noise of the motor drive. I don't think the mirror slap is all that bad, but I certainly did notice how loud the camera was compared to my Elan IIe when I first got it. After listening to it for a while, I decided that it was more motor than mirror, and after using the camera for about 4 months, I really don't even notice it. The birds and squirrels I have photographed with it don't seem to mind either. Basically, if you can get close enough to take thier picture with a 300mm lens, a little noise doesn't seem to bother them.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), September 24, 2001.

I was lent an EOS 3 yesterday, and was using it with my 300 F4L IS + 1.4X TC, as well as my 70-200 F4L, and I was blown away. The AF is so amazingly fast and accurate, compared to my EOS 5. I would definately go for the EOS 3, because then you can put a 2X TC on the 300 F4 and get an AF 600mm F8 IS. The EOS 5 is a very quiet camera (quieter than the 50e (Elan IIe)), and yet I didn't find the EOS 3 to be bad. I thought I would hate the noise, but to my mind it's really not that big a deal. It's something that every person will treat differently though.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), September 24, 2001.

I don't own an Elan 7, but I have the Elan II and the EOS 3 and the 300 f4 IS with both extenders. If the Elan II is any indicator for the Elan 7, I would strongly recommend the EOS 3 with this lens. AF is much faster and more accurate than the Elan, and if you're willing to put up with the weight of the PB-E2, the mirror slap and motor noise become less apparent. AF with the 2x is surprisingly fast as well.

-- Ming Kuo (mtkuo@hotmail.com), September 24, 2001.

I currently own an Eos 30 (Elan 7e) after upgrading from an Eos 50e (Elan IIe). After having tested the 30 I was sold. Here is my main point: The Eos 30 is much faster focusing than the 50e, so don't let owners of the 50e deter you from the 30 because of focusing speed. The eye focus algorithm in the 30 is actually faster than the 3. The 3 can (as you stated) focus with aperture f/8, and has one EV more low light sensitivity. Hope this helps.

-- Rolf Kristian Snilsberg (rolf.kr.snilsberg@online.no), September 27, 2001.


Thanks for all your answers. I went ahead and bought the EOS-3 and so far I love it. The AF with the 300/f4 IS lens and 2X extender combination was what made my decision. And I don't find the mirror slap as bad as I thought I would, as I get used to it.

-- Steve Ballentine (sballentin@aol.com), October 02, 2001.

Ahhh....a happy ending. :-). Glad to have been of help (if I was)...

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), October 04, 2001.

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