Which Canon EOS body?

[f/16]

The 630 debuted way back in 1989 but 26 years later, if and when it makes an appearance, it is largely passed up for the now easily affordable pro-level bodies (keep in mind an EOS 1N ws $3,900+ in 1994 but is now as little as $300) which are much more robust and reliable (a built-in/pop-up flash does nothing to enhance reliability of the consumer cameras). Buying one of these early EOS cameras is not the same experience as say buying a vintage large format camera and never having anything to worry about, save for pinholes in the bellows or squeaky rails! Failing electronics and water-penetration (the 630 nib-buttons are not weather-sealed as those on the 1N-series bodies) are two places that regularly bring down the EOS earlybirds, additional to the documented weaknesses of the A2/A2e/5. Caveat emptor is something to keep in mind.

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I don't even have close to $300 to spend. I can get a 630 for less than 40 bucks. It doesn't have the built in flash but does everything else I want.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

How does a built in flash relate to the 630?

I'm sure the 1-N for $300 is a better (and heavier) camera. But for $10 or thereabouts how much risk should a buyer beware of?

A lot of risk!
There is no direct relationship of a built-in flash to the 630 (being devoid of it, that's a strong point!). It is worth mentioning though that built-in flash, particularly on the EOS 10 and EOS 5, was one of Canon's archilles heel; with persistent breakages of the front lip (10, 5, 50e), failing retraction mechanism, moisture penetration into the electronics and misalignment (e.g. flash being popped up as it is being put away and then snagged on something, this almost breaking it off). I think more than 200 went in the repairs in the early to mid-1990s, probably many more at Camera Clinic and Camera Exchange in Melbourne.

If the OP is only going to spend $50, one cannot quibble with that, save for recommending it be fully and thoroughly tested before being put to use. That's not a guarantee of serviceability into the future, near of far (for any camera). Even a basic repair (like the lens release button) would cost in excess of $180 with labour (quoting 2004 repair of an EOS 5). A camera may seem to be a bargain too good to refuse, but then something breakes or becomes unserviceable and requires a repair that exceeds its nett worth. What do you do?

1Ns can be had down to $230 (one such making a brief appearance in Melbourne a week ago). They're easily checked with a plug-in device on the service bench reporting shutter activations, roll counts and reset logs (as with the 1V-series)



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[gus.]

Yes I've read about the dial breaking on the EOS 5/A2. So I'll probably just look for the 630-I wasn't aware the 630 did film leader out until a few days ago.

It's a bit of a relief to read all the recommendations for the A2 as it's what I mostly shoot with. It works great! I love that I can use my EFS glass with it. My walk around is the A2 with a 1.2 or 1.4. It's actually been catapulted (purposely) onto concrete by a very inebriated friend. It lost a small chunk of plastic in the lower body but the damn thing still works just as it did! I've always been curious about the A2e which has the 'iris focus' capability. Anybody used that function?

 

[landzaat]

Hmmm, a lot of folk mention the Elan 7-series, a.k.a. EOS 30/33 - however, it is very plasticky camera with a poor grip. I prefer very much the Canon EOS 50 (Elan ii in the States) - aluminium top plate makes it feel like a classic camera, center cross focus point is good and the e-versions have eye controlled AF points. The 5 might be more pro, the 50 is better looking and for most more then enough.

 

[MattKing]

Hmmm, a lot of folk mention the Elan 7-series, a.k.a. EOS 30/33 - however, it is very plasticky camera with a poor grip. I prefer very much the Canon EOS 50 (Elan ii in the States) - aluminium top plate makes it feel like a classic camera, center cross focus point is good and the e-versions have eye controlled AF points. The 5 might be more pro, the 50 is better looking and for most more then enough.

I have both.

The Elan IIe is quite a bit larger than the Elan 7Ne.

But it seems to meter properly with non-Canon EF lenses mounted via an adapter.