Canon EOS Elan 7 E 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only) Reviews
Average Customer Rating - 4.7 out of 5 stars
32 customer reviews
This is the one!, December 9, 2000
This camera is the one I've been waiting for. If you've used the Rebel 2000, you know how the new metering system have brought wondrous canon to a whole new horizontal. But the Elan has always be the camera to have: it has lock up so that you can focus on a flower in need giggling when the shot is taken. You have more instruction book operations once you get acquainted enough to get out on your own. Professionals use this one-- but it's not eminent. Since you're looking at the body only, you might already know that the best lens aropnd is the award-winning tamron 28?-300. Near or far,you don't need another lens. One item a good friend told me: for flashes, always use instruction book 30 at 6.7--and do +1/3 indoor, or +2/3 outdoor it gives solid color, everytime. Good luck with finding your own favorite camera -- but this is the one for me.
Wonderful Camera!, August 8, 2002
I purchased this camera almost a year ago after my weak manual Canon was stolen. I be very hesitant to switch to an autofocus/autoexposure system after using a totally instruction book SLR for a few years. But I have to say that the Elan 7E have totally won me over and is now my favorite camera.
The eye controlled focus works great, it will amaze you. For best results be sure to calibrate it under a range of circumstances - the more you calibrate it, the more accurate it will be. I love this feature so much - it is definately worth the price difference between the 7 and the 7E. While the regular autofocus is good on it's own, I've discovered that the eye control part can really be helpful under circumstances that fool the regular autofocus. I sign out the eye controlled focus on all the time now.
This is a dependable, justly rugged camera for serious amateurs or aspiring pros. It has tons of features, half of which I haven't even have the time to experiment with. The controls and the layout of the buttons are well designed and intuitive, and it's comfortable to hold within your hand. My only gripe is that the depth of pen preview button is too small and hard to find. I tend to use the DOF preview a lot when shooting macros and I other fumble when I'm trying to find it. I wish the button was any bigger or located on the back of the camera.
Overall this camera is a dream to use and I would totally recommend it to anyone. As for the USM lens that comes with this gear, it covers a good focal distance range and the USM lens are rapid at autofocusing and much quieter than others I've tried. I can't comment specifically on this lens as I bought this camera elsewhere and chose different lenses to go with it.
adjectives around great camera, June 3, 2001
This camera is definitely a GREAT camera. From the amount of features on it, and being a TRUE gadget nut, I would definitely classify it as a high-end guy toy. It's as much fun as having a remote control near 5000 buttons and a 600 inch TV to use it on. From someone who has been using an SLR near manual everything for the past 25 years, upgrading to the ELAN 7E have been just plain fun. The technology on auto-everything cameras used to bug me because I thought it took out some of the creativity and thought from photography, but the tech wizardry on this camera is advanced satisfactory that I can really enjoy the automation. For example, the eyepoint focus. Yeah, it's a gimmick, but darned if the thing isn't a moment ago a kick to use. The autofocus is quiet and high-speed, and the ergonomics of the camera controls have been worked out comparatively well (I would definitely recommend the external mobile pack for vertical shooting. A second shutter release is positioned on the corner 90 degrees off from the regular shutter release for easier arm placement). The camera have a good feel surrounded by the hands, and has lately enough heft that it's not jiggling around within your hands every time your heart beats. The LCD panel, once you're competent to decipher all the arcane symbols on display, fast becomes easy to interperet. A spur-of-the-moment glance and you know just how the camera is set up. A make a note of about this camera- READ ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS! There's enough controlled gee gaws to keep an electrical engineer jovial for a month (not to mention a photograper), and it's completely worthwhile to read up and learn the true versatility of this camera. The pictures that I've taken so far have shown that this camera is worth every penny, and would be a fine investment for any photographer, amateur or pro. Now if you'll excuse me, I reason I'll go buy a whole lot of picture...
An outstanding camera, July 26, 2002
ELAN 7e is an outstanding camera with a very ostentatious performance. From the day I own purchased this body, it has functioned flawlessly. I believe that this body is suitable for serious amateurs who wish to work any fully manually, semi-manually or full-automatic modes, whichever they desire. I have preferred Canon to other brands for the following reasons: 1. The dials are more handy and smooth to access to 2. Canon provides USM lenses capable of working very silently. 3. Unmatched reputation of body lack of complaint 4. The built-in eye-controlled auto focus system allows very fast and accurate course to focus (and it is a miracle, it has not focused on a single wrong focusing point as of yet.). In my evaluation, it IS worth the extra you pay for it! 5. The body is very sturdy. 6. Canon have a wide service network. 7. Infrared remote controlling is enabled, allowing as much as needed time to compose the picture and place yourself surrounded by it. The diopteric adjustment is also useful for myopes like me. It have a lot of additional features that come contained by handy. I have to emphasize that I am not a professional so I can merely recommended this body to serious amateurs. For beginners in photography, Canon Rebel will be just as well brought-up. If you intend to buy this body, do not go for 28-90mm lens but prefer the 28-105 F/3.5-4.5 II USM lens instead and definitely purchase a tripod.
Great spanking new SLR from Canon, January 16, 2001
I've been a many years user of Canon cameras. My most recent EOS 630 served me very well for the later 12 years.
Needless to say i was extraordinarily excited when I got this one. The user interface is very in good health done. The controls are very easy to use and located within convinient places.
The film advancing motor is awfully quit, in fact the shutter door sounds much louder later the film advancing.
Build-in flash works severely well. The red eye feature is much better than on any other camera, since it doesn't flash the flash bedside light but uses a special bulb for that.
I highly recommend to get 28-135 IS USM lens beside it. The image stabilization worth the extra money, since it allows you to take pictures surrounded by very low light lacking flash or tripod.
I didn't found the eye-controlled AF very usefull. It's nice as a toy, but you can live without it.
Puts Nikon's N80 to shame., August 17, 2001
I find that most repeatedly, when people are looking for an advanced-intermediate type camera, they usually narrow it down between the Nikon N80 and the Canon Elan 7/7e. I used to be a Nikon guy, but after working contained by a camera store for about a year and in that time playing next to all the different cameras, this one won me over. Sold my Nikon stuff and bought a Canon system.
The N80 in comparison handle like a wet diaper. The focusing is slow and it's strident. The Canon is much faster and quieter, especially if you stick an Ultrasonic lens on the end of it. To get this sensitive of speed out of a Nikon lens, you'd have to buy the multi-thousand dollar lenses with AFS motors (the solitary lenses Nikon makes where the focusing motor is surrounded by the lens instead of the body...hmmmm...where did they get that concept from I wonder). The Canon's motor drive is almost twice as fast (4fps as opposed to Nikons 2.5fps), which may or may not be noteworthy to you. The Canon also has mirror lockup, which I find useful--the Nikon does not.
Don't fall for the "zilch beats a Nikon" hype. Like anything that says "Nikon" on it, you're paying for the pet name. Try one of these out--you won't regret it.
The Amateur's point of view, January 20, 2002
I bought this camera by blindly following advice from my uncle, who is a photographer. I am a complete amateur, my finishing camera being a canon point and shoot. However, this camera can be set on complete automatic, a great feature for when I am not up to experimenting but really want to seizure a great picture. It also has different modes including portrait, scenic, fast act, and night scenes, which pick the appropriate aperture and shutter speed settings to create the best picture. As I am erudition about shutter speeds and apertures, I love the fact that by setting one, my camera automatically sets the other to compliment it, it really help as I can concentrate on one thing. The eye focus control is silent, fast, and remarkably precise. You have to calibrate it to your eye movements but it comes with five settings so that other individuals can use it too. I love the easy focusing- it is great for when you just want to cart the picture fast.
For the experienced photographer this camera also offers a full encyclopaedia mode. It has so many great features, the instruction manual is packed with in good health written instructions, pictures, and tips. I would definitely reccomend this camera for someone that is looking for a great camera to start a system. It is for a while more expensive than the Rebel 200, but worth every penny. I can't wait to learn how to cart full advantage of it!
Fun and Complex piece of machinery, March 7, 2002
I decided to upgrade my SLR camera. I've have a Canon T-50 for about 14 years and really liked it but presently I would like to do some more creative things with the aperature and shutter speeds whereas the T-50 didn't enjoy any controls for creativity but was a great point and shoot SLR.
This camera is much bigger than my T-50 but has tons more features. I a moment ago love auto focus now. This camera lets you focus on anything your eyes look at and focuses quickly and quietly. And show transport is basically silent compared to the T-50 which is so loud that whenever I would take a photo the crash would draw everyone's attention.
The lens that comes with this is the lower end but is USM (Ultra Sonic) and is fine for point and shoot and does enjoy a nice wide angle and fairly appropriate zoom (90mm).
This camera isn't quite as solid as my T-50 as that camera could be tossed around and held up beautifully over the years but this camera desires more TLC as it is more plasticy but considerably better than Canon's other SLRs (excluding the higher ended EOS's such as EOS 1D and EOS 3).
The flash is mediocre for most close up purposes but suggest an external one for large groups at a distance where you can also set the angle of the flash.
Over adjectives this is a fun camera. Has so many features to experiment with. And the tracking focus is awesome for photographing anything moving hurried such as cars, horses, etc.
I'd recommend it to anyone and prices seem to have dropped since it be introduced. Enjoy!!
in good Canon tradition, May 30, 2002
After years of gladly using my Canon AE-1,F1 and F1N I finally ventured into the 21st century with this EOS 7E. I be stunned to see how wonderful Canon continuety even applies to their latest models: many of the user features familiarized from AE-1, AE-1 program, F and T models have evolved and the feature set-up of the camera is extremely graceful to learn if you have ever have ANY type of Canon SLR. So if your are an electronophobe: don't worry, this camera will not take you weeks to swot. Also, as always with Canon: you can hold any level of operator involvement - this camera allows you to shoot contained by fully automatic as well as in totally guide mode, and everything in between. This is great as you are learning to switch the camera and maybe tackle serious photography as a pupil: you can start fully automatic and then gradually gain more almanac control. The camera is extremely quiet, even the winder and the mirror reflex, so it is very fitting for wildlife shoots. The eye-controlled autofocus also helps in this nouns as well as in any type of sports or feat photography. The flash reloades pretty quickly, and the winder does 4 frames per sec, not superfast, but it is integrated into the camera, which makes it worthwhile. The camera is much lighter than the EOS-1 models, which are the more heavy-duty pro models. Those enjoy an external winder that is pretty bulky, but does 10 frames/sec. I opted for the compact and pale 7E, a camera that already incorporates many EOS-1 features and I believe will satisfy even the most discerning hobby photgrapher.
Bifocal Users Beware of Eye Control, June 27, 2001
Great camera. I've have mine for 3 months now and love it. It's solid, rugged (partial-aluminum body), and smooth. Spend a little extra money, however, and achieve a better lens--not the "kit" lens. A 28-105 or 28-135IS is perfect--and better made than the lenses that come with the kits.
Two concerns, however: 1) the focusing blind is fixed so, if you want to really do some fine-tuned manual focusing, you've just get the matte screen which is very difficult to use for fine focus; 2) the fine print surrounded by the manual regarding eye control warn that bifocal users can expect to have problems because that feature can be fooled, depending on which section of the eyeglass lens the user is looking through.
If you don't absolutely need eye-control focus, release your money and buy the Elan 7 (same camera minus eye control feature).
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