Getting the Film Bug

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Hi,

I haven't considering shooting film since switching to digital (boo, hiss), but lately, I've been wanting to find other uses for my Canon EF and EF compatible lenses.
Up until about a year ago, I had a Canon EOS ELAN 7 but there was a problem with the AF. Recently, I've started looking around for used EOS 3 and EOS IV bodies. My thinking that in addition to better sealing, these bodies would have more robust AF and other features.

New EOS 1V are going for close to $1900, which I find amazing but I could add a EF 70-24 f.2 II, or the new 100-400 f4.5-5.6 II to my glass collection at that price.

Would like to get some feedback from Canon film shooters.

Les Sarile · Dec 12, 2014

EOS3+L lenses make a formidable AF system especially if you like using ECF. Even in "dark" settings that cause other AF systems to hunt, the EOS3+L had no problems. Also, the EOS3+ L+TC can still AF while the lesser bodies could not. The Elan 7NE was the latest ECF capable EOS body. The EOS1V has a nice robust magnesium body but the EOS3 is definitely top grade.

ignatiu5 · Dec 12, 2014

I own a 7 and a 7N, as well as a 3. I’ve owned an EOS 1 and 1N in the past. I’ve never had or shot with the 1V, mostly because I’ve never been able to justify the price premium of the flagship body for my own 35mm needs.

I like the 7 series for portability and (relatively) quieter shooting. I like my 3 with the PB-E2 battery grip for its heft and balance. I find that any of them focus more quickly (with the 3 hunting less than the 7s) when I use AF than either of the 1 series that I have had, but I don’t know what advancements were made with the 1V. I like knowing that the EOS3 is better sealed, but honestly I don't typically shoot in environments where that's a big concern.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy any of them new; there are too many lightly used samples available from various sources.

Bill Burk · Dec 12, 2014

I picked up a EOS Rebel K2 for 12 dollars at Goodwill... You could buy one for each lens you own at that rate.

ValveTubeHead · Dec 12, 2014

I have double digit pounds of EF glass I still use on canon dslr,but decided I (really,really) wanted Nikon bodies (eg. FE and F3) to manual focus film with. Unless you're dead set on AF or lens system loyalty, I think you'll find crazy value in considering the alternatives.

hgaude · Dec 12, 2014

+1 on EOS 3... really phenomenal combo with new canon glass...

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Les Sarile said:
EOS3+L lenses make a formidable AF system

That's the general idea.

Bill Burk said:
I picked up a EOS Rebel K2 for 12 dollars at Goodwill... You could buy one for each lens you own at that rate.

I wouldn't say I'm dead set of AF but at my age, I can no longer rely on my eyes to manual focus unless I have plenty of time. In some situations, I use AF to get me close.

Les Sarile · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
I wouldn't say I'm dead set of AF but at my age, I can no longer rely on my eyes to manual focus unless I have plenty of time. In some situations, I use AF to get me close.

Thousands of frames shot with the EOS3+L and I must have only a handful of misfocused results. Manual focus override on the L lenses are very useful too.

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Any gotchas with the ECF?

Les Sarile · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
Any gotchas with the ECF?

No gotchas for me but I don't wear glasses.

Hatchetman · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
Any gotchas with the ECF?

make sure you find the manual, as you'd never figure out how to set it without directions. I don't use it, personally.

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Sweet! -- thanks for the feedback everyone.

shutterboy · Dec 12, 2014

I would go a bit in the reverse direction. I currently own a couple of 1Vs and very satisfied with it. It can share glass with the digital brothers. I have tried EOS 3 and it felt very plastic. And real photographers don't use AF.

On a serious note, I only plan to buy Zeiss lenses for any focal length up-to 200 mm so, manual focus is the only option for me.

Ko.Fe. · Dec 12, 2014

Love my 50L on Rebel and I purchased mint EOS 3 for $180 or less on e-bay from Japan in 2013. To try its focus thing. I have tried it and no thrills, just huge body to lug around.
Keeping small Rebel, 50L AF is fast and accurate enough for me on it.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Dec 12, 2014

Bill Burk said:
I picked up a EOS Rebel K2 for 12 dollars at Goodwill... You could buy one for each lens you own at that rate.

I got one of those for free from a neighbor and picked up an Elan from KEH for $15.

flavio81 · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
Any gotchas with the ECF?

I own the EOS 5 which also has the Eye Controlled Focusing. I don't wear glasses. The system is generally reliable once you train it (read the manual!), except in low light. I think the system is a big plus in some situation. Really saves time.

The EOS 5 i could like a lot if it didn't have such brute mirror/shutter vibration. Still got sharp pictures with it, though.

flavio81 · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
lately, I've been wanting to find other uses for my Canon EF and EF compatible lenses.

You know that the Canon EF uses FD lenses? So FD lenses are "EF compatible lenses", while EF lenses are "incompatible with the Canon EF".

True story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_camera

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

flavio81 said:
You know that the Canon EF uses FD lenses? So FD lenses are "EF compatible lenses", while EF lenses are "incompatible with the Canon EF".

True story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_camera

Sorry for any misunderstanding. I don't have a Canon EF body, or FD lenses. I was referring to my Canon EF mount lenses.

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

shutterboy said:
I would go a bit in the reverse direction. I currently own a couple of 1Vs and very satisfied with it. It can share glass with the digital brothers. I have tried EOS 3 and it felt very plastic. And real photographers don't use AF.

On a serious note, I only plan to buy Zeiss lenses for any focal length up-to 200 mm so, manual focus is the only option for me.

That should read: And real photographers with good eyesight and don't wear glasses don't use AF.

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Ko.Fe. said:
Love my 50L on Rebel and I purchased mint EOS 3 for $180 or less on e-bay from Japan in 2013. To try its focus thing. I have tried it and no thrills, just huge body to lug around.
Keeping small Rebel, 50L AF is fast and accurate enough for me on it.

Try lugging a 5D MK II with a 70-200 2.8

Les Sarile · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
Try lugging a 5D MK II with a 70-200 2.8

An EOS3+70-200 f2.8 L is a handful even compared to a Mamiya RZ67

lilmsmaggie · Dec 12, 2014

Les Sarile said:
An EOS3+70-200 f2.8 L is a handful even compared to a Mamiya RZ67

Oh-Oh Actually, I've only rented the 70-200 but my 5D MK II body is still quite hefty.

Les Sarile · Dec 12, 2014

lilmsmaggie said:
Oh-Oh Actually, I've only rented the 70-200 but my 5D MK II body is still quite hefty.

According to the manual, the 5D MK II weighs in between the lighter EOS3 and heavier EOS1V. This gives a good balance when you use the heavier lenses. BTW, neither EOS3 or 1V have a mode dial so they handle quite differently in that respect. The Elans and Rebels have the mode dial.

MattKing · Dec 13, 2014

I have both an Elan 7e and an Elan 7, as well as an Elan IIe.

The eye controlled focus works for me, and I like it. Both with and without glasses.

BUT

My understanding is that it doesn't work for everyone, and as such it constituted a nightmare for photo dealers, because when the cameras were current, people would buy them and then want to return them.

The 7 and 7e are nice and compact - smaller than the IIe, but they have one peculiarity. If you try to use a non-EF lens on them with an adapter, the meter is useless. With the IIe, the meter is still useful.

If you would like to try an Elan 7 again, make me an offer - I'll be really reasonable!

blockend · Dec 13, 2014

As a Canon FD film camera user, I only got into EOS film bodies as a platform for the nice pancake lenses Canon brought out recently. Consumer Rebels sell for buttons on ebay, so it made sense to try out lenses I own on one. Long term the problem is AF film technology is stuck in the new millennium at best, while digital auto focus advances continue apace. For that reason I'd opt for a manual focus system if you're into film for the long haul. That said, my 3000n AF performs reasonably well, and very well in good light, though not to the latest DSLR standards.

Getting the Film Bug

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