For EOS Experts: big dilema buying A2E/Elan IIE/Elan 7!

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Camera Equipment : One Thread

I was happy user of classic EOS 50E (Elan IIE) + 28-105, that's been stolen, and now I'm buying new gear.

I am thinking of new * EOS 5 (A2E) * EOS 50E (Elan IIE) * EOS 30 (Elan 7)

(here in Europe you can still buy new 50E!)

I almost ruled out eos30/elan7 because of users-reported problems focusing in low light, annoying white AF assist beam (I shoot lots of concerts)... and when I hold it in my hands in the shop it feald very cheap and plastic... maybe too small and light?

I like the bright and big viewfinder of A2e/eos5, it is durable... but the model is really old... are there any problems?

I was quite happy with my IIE/50E, but I want to buy the best of three, so I would like to hear from people that used/know all three bodies, or at least two of them!

Thanx for your input!

-- Alen Borovicanin (al@gi-zrmk.si), December 02, 2001

Answers

As far as problems with the EOS 5, there are several. There is a reliability issue with the Command Dial. It will cost $100-150 to get it fixed if yours breaks. They often, but not always do. You can do it yourself, but it's not simple to do. There is also a common little problem with the pop-up flash not popping up, but that's quite easy to fix your self.

The other problem with it is that the flash system is dated compared to the others. No E-TTL, Flash Exposure Lock, or high speed sync available. That's all unfortunate because it's clearly the nicest of the bunch to use. Many people prefer the EOS 5 because of this inspite of it's problems.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@juno.com), December 02, 2001.


I've used two of the three - my old Elan II and my new Elan 7e. I can't think of any way in which the Elan 7e is inferior FOR MY USE, and I stress that last bit.

I don't have the problems with AF in the dark, or with the annoying (and close to useless) flash bursts it uses for AF assist, because if I'm shooting in the dark, I'm using a 420EX and its much better AF assist beam - and, in fact, this combination is better than the Elan II with the 380EX because the 420EX' AF assist beam covers all seven AF points; the 380EX' only covers the middle one.

If you were happy with your 50E, I see no reason to go to a slightly higher but much older model (the 5) - it has a few capabilities that exceed those of the 50E (e.g. spot meter, faster X-sync), but it's also a lot farther back in technology (e.g. ECF is much slower and only works in landscape, and it lacks current flash technology such as E-TTL, FEL, and HSS). Me, I'd suggest the 30 - I find the extra AF points to be of great help in avoiding the focus-lock-recompose dance, and for the times you want to pick an AF point manually rather than by eye, it has a much better interface.

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), December 03, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ