Best canon film camera?

[Poisson Du Jour]

David, the shutter on the 1N-RS may feel "a little plasticky", but it's guaranteed that beast (and shutter button) will be around even as long as the hallowed F-1 — if not longer. And, I guess you're learning to be careful not to put the drive in H and press the shutter button hard : very easy — too easy (and a great conversation starter if you dare bring the camera and sit it beside the Christmas turkey — to munch a roll in a couple of seconds or so — no time for a proverbial blink of the eye!

 

[patrickjames]

I would avoid the Eos 3. I have had focussing issues with it. Get a 1n or 1v. The 1n can be had for chump change these days. I have one that is absolutely hammered and it still works perfectly.

 

[fiducio]

I got a brand new EOS 1V not too long ago, I don't regret it, it seems like it's going to be in my arsenal for a long while now. Out of all canon's cameras, this one tops the cake.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

And, I guess you're learning to be careful not to put the drive in H and press the shutter button hard : very easy — too easy (and a great conversation starter if you dare bring the camera and sit it beside the Christmas turkey — to munch a roll in a couple of seconds or so — no time for a proverbial blink of the eye!

Haven't done that yet, though it seems like a hazard. I think the button just needs a tiny amount of silicone lubricant to feel a little smoother, but I'll wait until I've finished off that last roll of K64 I have in the camera.

 

[hpulley]

In CH 10 fps mode it is very easy to squeeze off two shots on the 1N RS without intending to. If you just want single shots I find the single shot mode works best, otherwise I get doubles. It's just that fast.

 

[blockend]

Although I've always favoured Nikon I bought 5 (count 'em) Canon SLRs in 2010. The reason being that FD glass won't fit DSLRs or movie cameras (easily) and is much cheaper than later Nikon or Canon offerings.
The AV-1 is an overlooked camera, offers sufficient manual exposure compensation on an aperture priority body and comes cheap. The A-1 is a multi-mode analogue beast but great fun and the FTb is tough little all-manual nut. The F-1 is a lovely camera but good examples have climbed into collector prices and there's a lot of thrashed ex-pro bodies around. If I had to choose I suspect the FTb is the camera most likely to make the 22nd century intact.

 

[SilverGlow]

I would avoid the Eos 3. I have had focussing issues with it. Get a 1n or 1v. The 1n can be had for chump change these days. I have one that is absolutely hammered and it still works perfectly.

No need to avoid the EOS 3. Just because your EOS 3 had issues does not mean all the others do too. Have you sent your EOS 3 to get checked? It is broken! Just fix it....the EOS 3 is an excellent SLR and has an excellent reputationa and following.

Of course, the 1v is the body of choice....

 

[131802]

I ended up with a 7 rather than a 1 because they're a little less expensive. There's a reasonably priced 1n in the classifieds right now.

 

[Pumalite]

Get the 1n. Don't be a fool.

 

[aaron9316]

hmm,depends

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

hmm,depends

...on what, and why?

 

[heespharm]

I have a 1n, and just used my Eos 3 this weekend... All are perfect no complaints.... Also the ettl flash metering with the 3 is really useful.... No
Focusing usues at all using my 50mm 1.4 with either bodies

 

[benjiboy]

I would say the F1-N closely followed by the T90 and EF.

 

[narsuitus]

The best Canon film camera – F1

The best Canon film camera to work with your lenses – I don’t know.

 

[benjiboy]

The best Canon film camera is the one you have with you.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Unless you need the speed of the iV, an Eos 3 is cheap and superb.

 

[2F/2F]

The requirement for EF lenses really narrows it down!

Considering what things are going for on the used market these days, if you have hundreds of dollars to invest in a great camera, I'd get a 3 or a 1V. You might consider the 1N as well.

This being said, I think you would do well with many of the other cheaper EOS film bodies too. Take a look at the Elan series, for example, or the A2/EOS 5.

 

[white.elephant]

I purchased an EOS 3 six months ago. What a great camera, and highly recommended.

 

[Tony-S]

Yeah, I have the EOS 3, EOS A2e, A-1 (with Motor Drive MA) and F-1 rev 2. They all have their advantages and disadvantages and it'd be tough to say which is the "best", but I sure enjoy the 3 and A-1 quite a bit!

 

[jmooney]

I've always been a fan of the Elan IIe's with the battery grip. It's a solid bit of kit!

 

[ignatiu5]

I've always been a fan of the Elan IIe's with the battery grip. It's a solid bit of kit!

I really like the Elan IIe and BP-50 combo as well, but have had bad luck with film door latches. I've had 2 break; it's a known weak link with this model.

No such problems (in my experience) with the Elan 7 series, and my EOS 3 models have all been rock solid.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

The Canon EOS cameras are great, just can't beat them. But I'm an old bald headed gizzer, just love that FD system,especially the old F-1!

Jeff

 

[ekkybedmond]

Recommend (in AF-land) the 1N, 3 and I-V. Own the 1N and 3, and use them both.

The 3 is quicker (hare-trigger shutter release) than the 1N, more AF-points etc, BUT no 100% screen view. It's abit lighter in weight also than te 1N.
The 3 handles better also (it's higher), but not by much.

 

[hpulley]

Recommend (in AF-land) the 1N, 3 and I-V. Own the 1N and 3, and use them both.

The 3 is quicker (hare-trigger shutter release) than the 1N, more AF-points etc, BUT no 100% screen view. It's abit lighter in weight also than te 1N.
The 3 handles better also (it's higher), but not by much.

For the quickest shutter release get the 1N RS. 6ms shutter lag, RS mode closes down the aperture and lifts the submirror for the fastest possible shot taking. Just be careful as it is difficult to take just one shot in CHS 10 fps mode, usually you'll rip off 2 so you might want to use CLS or single shot even in RS mode to limit the waste of film.

 

[olwick]

I vote for the 7NE. I love the ECF and it still has some dials vs the 1-series all push button interface. Light and small too.