New camera question?

[Markok765]

There is a local seller offering a Canon ELAN 2 with 28-80 3.5-5.6 ultrasonic zoom lens. The camera is in good condition, a few scratches. I already have a 50mm that I could use on it from my digital SLR. It's $100. Should I get it?

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Good evening, Marko. Just checked out completed auctions on eBay. Going for anywhere from $50.00 USD to $120.00 USD, cenetering around $80-$90. So, $100.00 isn't all that bad. It's local, do they offer any warranty? 'Course on eBay, you might be really lucky if you watch for a couple weeks. If time is short, I think your guys deal might not be that bad. Talk him down to 75.00. When he says 85.00, then go for it.

 

[Markok765]

No warranty. Should I go for it if I already have my Pentax camera? If I got the Canon, the Pentax would see less use, though the lenses are probably far better. I'll try to go see it in person!

Thank you Chris!

 

[Christopher Walrath]

No problem, Marko. Just depends on whether you want it or not. But I know that Mamiya M645j's and Pentax MF's as well are going for a dime a dozen of late on eBay, well under $100.00. The glass can be a bit on the expensive side but if you don't mind not having interchangeable backs, it's a great way to go medium format for your finer work. Just another bone to chew on. Have a great night.

 

[Markok765]

Thank you! I am not sure about going into MF. I would like to, as I have a holga, and I like the quality, but even for large prints, 35mm is really good. I would have to get a negative holder/enlarger lens too.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Ah, do not fear GAS. With the proper funding, it can be a powerful ally.

 

[Venchka]

Is it the Canon EOS Elan IIE? I bought one of those and that lens new in 1998. I still use both the camera and lens. The Elan IIE has several nice features not found today: Eye control focus, IR focus assist beam, depth of field program, multiple exposures, esposure bracketing AND it works with Canon's new flashes like the 550 EX and 580 EX. All in all, a very nice camera body. The lens ain't too shabby either. I avoid using it wide open. At f=8.0 and f=11 it's quite nice.

 

[Markok765]

I don't think it is the E version if it. I'll probably get it then!

 

[Dan Fromm]

Chrstopher, you should be ashamed of yourself. Poor young Marko, who is, I think, still in high school, laments his lack of resources fairly often. The kid isn't rich and he seems to be perpetually broke too.

Marko, do you want to carry two different sets of lenses and a pair (at least) of bodies around? If you do, then I'll relinquish my position as APUG's village idiot to you.

Marko, when I was much younger I bought me a Nikkormat and, as I could, lenses to fit it. In 35 mm, there I am and there I will be. My Nikons (now I have a couple and my wife has one, it came as part of her dowry) still work, the lenses I bought for them back when are still just fine. I've saved a lot of money and even more effort by not whoring around after foul unclean alien mount systems.

Similarly, in 2x3 for me Graphics are it. They still work, so do the lenses I've accumulated for 'em.

Now, Marko, consider that evil tempter Christopher. The man has so much incompatible junk that he can't carry it all or use bits of this and bobs of that together as needed. I don't think you should use him as a model.

Simplification is a sound strategy. If you must go AF Canon, do it and jettison your Pentax gear. Since I see auto-everything cameras as inventions of the devil, I believe that you should stick with all manual. The next step after auto everything is digital.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

 

[Markok765]

It's ok, he probably didn't know. For the occasional time I need automation, would my Stylus Epic work well enough?

I just bought a drawing tablet for my macbook!

Though now I hardly have enough money to pay for the 100' of film that will come in soon, though I am well off, I am a student. I'm in grade 10 right now.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Oh, Daniel and Marko. Please do not folly and misconstrue my valid intent. I have waxed melancholy in the face of such a state as being shown as a deceiver of wayward youths. It was never my intent or nature to insist the young lad to hump half a studio around oupon his proud and straight shoulder. Such bronzed and statuesque joven divine must remain in his state of photographic nature, perchance to continue in his innocence. And fair Daniel, I beseech thee to hearken unto mine pleas. Think not petty of me as I am but a fool but not wise to the proceedings of . . . OK, a mite over the top, eh? I'm just recovered from a bout with recently passed GAS. I'm still in spend mode, after effects from the syndrome, no doubt. Please bear with me here. I'm coming along. I swear.

 

[Markok765]

No problem!

 

[Dan Fromm]

Young Christopher, I regret to inform you that I'm suffering a bout of parsimony pending arrival of a bill of as yet unknown size from skgrimes. One little adapter, one shutter scaled, probably won't come to too much, but one never knows.

The parsimony hasn't stopped me from using a sniping engine to try to place last-minute bids for objects of desire on eBay, but it has made me set my maxima so low that I'm always outbid. Most of the time I don't even get into the auction. In truth, I really do have more than enough.

That said, at this very minute I'm listening to a Robert Kurka's opera The Good Soldier Schweik on streaming audio from France Vivace and feeling strongly tempted to buy the CD. CEDILLE RECORDS CDR 90000 062, if you want to buy it yourself.

Marko, the only place I've found for an automatic camera is hung behind a mirror lens. Then a self-setting shutter with continuously variable speed comes in handy. I have a couple of AF35MLs (more than enough, as I said) and one of them once came in very handy when my Nikon kit, safely packed in checked baggage, went astray. But they're despicable little things; they offer practically no control and give minimal information (I'm focused at near, middle or far distance; its too dark/you left the lens cap on, idiot) about what they're doing.

 

[Curt]

At a famous Art college I attended we were given this information on equipment purchases. Only buy a piece of equipment if and when you have an absolute need for it. If you have a need for the new camera and lens then by all means buy it. Ask yourself why are you in need of the new camera and lens. Is there something wrong with the equipment you have or do you need the newer features? I remember really taking off when I went from 35mm to medium format, Mamiya 645, Medium format enlargers are not that expensive either. A step up to medium format is not that far a stretch and waiting a bit might be an option too. Consider the choices of upgrading. In the end only you can decide what going to be right, good luck.

Curt

 

[Markok765]

I have a MF enlarger, though I need a MF lens and neg holder.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

What sort of MF lens do you need? Which camera are you mounting it to?

 

[Markok765]

I need one for my Beselar 67 enlarger.