Best Canon EOS body for FILM under $300?

All the Canon EOS film bodies can use the EF lenses.
What are you looking for in the way of features and characteristics?
I ask because there is a multitude of choices, and they are all quite competent.
In my cupboard alone I could easily part with three different bodies, whose prices would be quite reasonable.
The top of the line professional oriented models tend to have the ability to use professional oriented accessories and functions, but do you need such things as full motor drives?

 

You would have a very hard time doing better than the EOS 650, or its successor the 670 (I think, might be a different number...i dunno) -- pro-level, fast autofocus, excellent metering system.

Current retail for EXC-plus bodies is about $50. I mean -- they're giving the damn things away because of their "age" but they are amazing cameras. I have one.

 

The EOS Elan 7/7e/7N/7Ne/7s family are "advanced amateur" options that are quite recent (~2000) and extremely capable.
The "e" versions offer eye control auto-focus which, if it works for you, is really neat. It doesn't work for everyone.

 

I second Matt´s recommendation. Really the best EOS bodies if you do not want to spend the money on the EOS 3 or EOS 1 series.

 

It's in fact fairly difficult to find a used EOS for over $300. Yes, an EOS1n/v or EOS3, but just about all the others fetch much lower prices on the 2nd hand market.

And I third it. Note that the 'Elan 7' series is the EOS 3x (30/33) series outside the US. I regularly use mine; in fact, they are my go-to cameras. The EOS50/ElanII offers very comparable performance and features. Any of these can be had for a small fraction of the price you mentioned.

Resist any urge to get an EOS5 ('EOS A2/A2e' in the US). They're kludgy old beasts with a number of minor durability issues that are nonetheless quite annoying (malfunctioning mode select dial, battery drain when powered off).

 

If you'd like something really really good, check out the EOS 3.
Apparently it has the fastest AF speed including the newest stuff and lots of desirable features in a pro caliber body..
You can find one for less than $300 used.

 

I've used them all. A 1n is the best. Better than the EOS 3. The 1v was the best film camera Canon made but will probably set you back more than 300.

The other cameras mentioned here are competent, but you asked for the best.....

 

Hi Tony,

If you strike out on your search for the cameras you noted, I have an EOS 650, 630 and lens kit listed in the "for sale" classifieds for $110.00 which includes shipping, but I will let you have it for a flat $100.00 shipped if you are interested.

Thanks,
ronwhit

 

If you want a manual-focus EOS camera, look for the EF-M. Unfortunately Canon used “EF-M” for other products, so doing a search is difficult. It has a “regular” focusing screen, not an AF focusing screen. Blurb from the online Canon Camera Museum:

This camera features TTL shutter speed-priority AE, TTL aperture-priority AE, Intelligent program AE, and TTL metered manual. Although it was compatible with EF lenses, it was a manual-focus camera sold only outside Japan.

The fixed, pentaprism viewfinder has a magnification of 0.75x (50mm at infinity) and 90% coverage. The matte focusing screen has a combination rangefinder. The 7-segment LCD within the image area displays numerals and text for the shutter speed, aperture setting, incorrect exposures, exposure level, film speed, AE lock, and flash ready.

Three-zone evaluative metering. partial metering at center, and centerweighted averaging metering are also provided.

 

I started accumulating Canon EOS film bodies when I became curious about auto-focus and 35mm SLRs.
They can be so cheap, and even the kit zoom lenses are extremely competent.
And the lenses sort of work well on the Canon digital body I have - "sort of" because it has an APS-C sensor, I strongly favour wider angle lenses, and the "L" lenses don't make budgetary sense.
They'll never replace my OM kit because of a whole bunch of factors, but they supplement it well.
I have an extra Elan 7 body and an extra 28-90mm lens - start a conversation if you want to discuss.

 

With the exception of the EOS 1V, I think that just about ALL EOS bodies can be found for under $300. No joke. So you have LOTS to choose from. So it depends on other factors you might desire. Just to provide an example for you, I sold a EOS Elan II that my mom owned, which she never used -- I mean it never had a single roll of film put through it -- sold it several years ago for $10. I made the mistake of listing it at auction on eBay with an opening bid of $10. And that's what it sold for. But you know, if I would have listed it as Buy It Now, I'd probably not gotten more than $25 for it. Oh well. I have an Elan IIe and it's actually a very nice camera.

But I guess if I were to get an EOS that wasn't a 1n or a 1v, I'd get an EOS 3. It's a very capable, advanced camera, suitable for pros and advanced amateurs. And for your purposes, it fits easily within your budget, selling for $100-130 in clean shape.

 

the eos 650, 620, 630/600, and RT are actually pretty enjoyable cameras, and REALLY cheap.

 

I would take one with more available batteries. Not all of EOS series cameras have batteries widely available. For my Elan I was only able to find it online.
EOS film Rebel has still available grip and it takes AA.

Old EF L zoom lenses are main reason to buy EOS cameras. IMO. Good price and stellar performance. I'm using my L lenses on plastic EOS. Including plastic lens mount.

 

Yeah, this is my experience too. Twice, actually -- I got both of my EOS 1n bodies on eBay for about $100 apiece. And they were pretty much new or very-good condition. I recommend buying from Japan - excellent postal service and the seller was terrific too (I can dig up their name if anyone's interested. They seem to do a lot of business and were just great to deal with).
The 1n was a pro body in its day and I'd say going from 2 or 3 thousand dollars each to a hundred is a pretty good deal!

 

I have owned the EOS 1 and A2e and actually prefer the A2e as it is both lighter and quieter. I have one now in my canon bag with a 5d and lenses.

 

The only EOS body that costs over $300 is the 1V. You can have a 1N for $100 or just over. The 3 will set you back maybe 150 or 200 if you get a very good condition one.

Personally I find that if you can't afford a 1V (or don't want the weight, it is the heaviest) the 1N is the best of the bunch. The only exception is if you want better AF, the EOS 3 is then the best. The 1N has a better viewfinder though.

 

I just took a look on US eBay and I'm finding that the 1n listed from US sellers is going for $150 to $250, so a bit more than $100. Some Japan sellers are offering it for less, but then you have to add in $40 or so for shipping, so it's pretty much a wash. EOS 3s currently are selling for about the same -- those listed by US sellers. Japan sellers aren't offering any good deals on the 3.

 

I hope you enjoy it. As you say, for less than $20, completely worth the risk.

I bought, tried, and sold probably the majority of the EOS line over several years. Personally, I preferred the models with the back thumbwheel, and because I was accustomed to those before I tried the 620/650 series, I never really got comfortable with the controls of the latter. I settled on three (ya gotta have three, right?): Elan 7, 7NE + the BP300 battery grip, and a 3 + PB-E2 which I use to fend off bears.

 

Of course with the right adapter, you can use OM lenses on the EOS but of course the tiny viewfinder in the EOS (and all AF cameras for that matter) will be hard to focus so the Olympus VariMagni Finder can come in handy for critical focus.

 

Wait, so you can use that on a Canon camera? And it actually fits ok? Any details I should know about if I'd like to use one too?

 

On the subject of manual focus, I find that a 1V/1N/3 with and Ec-S screen is excellent for manual focusing. The Ec-S screen makes a huge difference and is specifically made to show sharp focus with fast lenses.