Any Canon Elan 7 (EOS 33/7) users?

[Zedwardson]

I was wondering if anyone else uses the Canon Elan 7 (Also known as the EOS 33 in europe and the EOS 7 in Japan.)

I happen to love this camera. The only complaint is that its too quiet that I have to press my ear to the body so i can hear it rewind.

I happen to love the camera, but I was wondering if anyone else uses it.

 

[MattKing]

Yep.

I have a 7e, and I was recently given a 7 as well.

They sell for ridiculously low amounts of money, given their qualities.

 

[ambaker]

7e here, love the eye control.

Only gripe is I tried the mid roll rewind, and it wound all the way in. There is a setting to leave a tab out. I didn't bother reading up on it till afterwards. My fault, not the camera's.

 

[Zedwardson]

Yep.

I have a 7e, and I was recently given a 7 as well.

They sell for ridiculously low amounts of money, given their qualities.

I am really shocked on the price. They are great, light camera's and now they go for a song.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Last year I bought a 7NE - I wanted to try the eye-control mostly and I also liked the cosmetics (the crinkle finish) of the 'N' model.

It's an extremely nice camera. I wear glasses and the eye control calibration and operation works for me unless I'm in dim light inside.

 

[film_man]

I had one and loved it. Then sold it and went digital. Then went to film. Given nowadays prices I got a EOS 3 for just a tiny bit more. Although I must say, if I could replace the screen on the 7 (I use the Ec-S for manual focusing) I'd get one in a pinch, I like the quiet operation and smaller/lighter body.

 

[Scott Gibson]

I have an Elan 7, it's extremely well-built and probably the quietest SLR I've ever used. I don't shoot with it too often, but only because I generally prefer the weight and manual operation of older cameras.

 

[snegron]

Funny thing; Years ago while at a local camera shop I was debating whether to get the 7E or a Nikon N80. I was leaning toward the 7E, but the sales person persuaded me to get the N80 instead. Today my N80 suffers from sticky body syndrome.

 

[varchs]

15 years ago, while being a university student I got my first SLR camera a EOS 30 with the EF 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM. This camera was always with me until some day I stopped taking pictures... This break lasted more/ less 3 years, and during this time period many things changed in photography as dslrs became widespread and popular... When I started taking picture again I had managed to get a used EOS 3 and my EOS 30 was my backup camera. Nowadays my younger cousin who is an undergrad student is using this little elegant camera with an EF 50/1.8 lens.
Even if I have switched to a simpler rangefinder camera system, I love taking pictures with my 3/30 EOS especially portraits...


--
VArchS

 

[Zedwardson]

Varchs, The 28-105 lens with my Elan 7 is my standard camera that i take out to shoot. It really is a highly useful lens.

 

[fastw]

Got a nice one for $22. LOL

 

[vsyrek1945]

I got my 7e about 11 years ago, used, possibly from KEH. My primary camera before then was a first generation Elan, which I was quite fond of, a factor in my choosing the 7e. Another was the desire for a camera with ECF - back then, even a used A2e, the camera I really wanted, was priced over my budget, and the EOS 3 was way out of my reach.

I had two issues with the 7e. First, I couldn't calibrate the ECF; tried the procedure as described in the manual several times, with no success. Second, I picked up one of the battery pack/vertical grips (BP-30?) for it, but couldn't get the combination to operate with AA batteries. Well, at least I had the vertical shutter release, another feature I really wanted, even if I was stuck using CR123 batteries.

Within a couple of years, I found my way to a D-Rebel, and set the Elan 7e aside.

When I resumed shooting film last summer, I loaded a fresh set of 123s into the BP-30, and the 7e fired up as if the long layoff never happened. Maybe it saw the A2e I scored for $5.50 plus shipping on eBay (with VG-10 and a homemade battery pack cable fabricated by its original owner hanging out of it that probably scared off competing bids). Since I'd somehow managed to calibrate the ECF on the A2e without difficulty, I was able to do the same on the 7e at last, then enjoyed running a roll of slide film through it. I was particularly pleased with the 7e's ETTL flash exposures and FP flash sync capabilities in my floral close-ups with fill.

I sold off my original Elan - as good as it was, and as well as it served me, the 7e has a lot more going for it. Now I'll either have to figure out why the BP-30/7e combo doesn't work with AA batteries, or just stock up on CR123s. I'll probably just take the easy way out, since the 123s are now dirt cheap on line.

Sometimes I wonder why Canon never saw fit to include ECF on its D-SLRs . . . but it passes quickly.

 

[Zedwardson]

I bought my Elan 7n new from one of the big online NYC stores that are not open on Saturday. (BH I think) with the 28-105 lens. For me the only weakness is that in low light the auto focus struggles.

 

[mauro35]

I have two Elan 7e cameras. They are quite decent. I really like the almost silent operation and the feel. The only negative side is the build quality. I don't believe it was meant to last very long in first place and I ruined a roll with one of them because the door latch broke.

 

[landzaat]

I've got the Canon EOS 30 (cross the pond you call it the Elan 7e) and it is a good camera, but it feels flimsy, like an empty plastic shell. It is better built then my 3000n, but still... The older EOS 50e is a much nicer camera imho even if it isn't as silent and the AF is a worse. Just my €0,02

 

[Zedwardson]

I find it curious that people have spoke of the build quality, Mine has been heavily used (and also at times, completely unused) yet I have not had a single issue with the Camera.

 

[GarageBoy]

I just bought one for $15- sadly, it's a later Made in Taiwan version. Oh well, it'll go well with the 40 2.8

 

[Zedwardson]

Still for $15 it a great deal. I paid over $200 for mine, of course, that was in 2006 or so....

 

[landzaat]

I find it curious that people have spoke of the build quality, Mine has been heavily used (and also at times, completely unused) yet I have not had a single issue with the Camera.

Don't know if you refer to me, but I never talked 'bout the build quality, I just talked 'bout the way it feels....

 

[MichiTimm]

I just bought an Elan 7 this week. Back when I was shooting with a Rebel G I really wanted an Elan (although I think perhaps the 7 wasn't out yet) but couldn't afford it. Feels good in my hands, looking forward to playing with it.

 

[GarageBoy]

It could feel like a fisher price toy and I'd still use it. AF is loads better than the Rebel 2000 I have. Did lock up once, but extending the flash somehow reset it?

 

[netog]

I have a 7NE. I use it mostly with slide film.
Remember the new N versions have the advantage to use E-TTL II flashes.

 

[dnjl]

Was my first camera. Very capable, reliable metering and built to withstand a knock or two. Yes, they go for ridiculously low prices these days. A true bargain.