Solid, simple, reliable, compatible with all EOS EF lenses, no IR film counter (important for high sensitivity infrared film).

Single point autofocus point can hunt a bit. Maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 limiting. No exposure bracketing function.

I bought the EOS 650 partly out of curiosity, partly because it can be found very cheaply these days, and partly because it lacks an infrared film frame counter, less important these days as true high sensitivity infrared film is no longer being manufactured. I knew it would be vastly less well-featured than my current Canon EOS 5D Mark III, what I did not expect was how much fun it is to shoot with a camera that is so simple to use. All you really need to take excellent pictures is here, and it is refreshing not to be dealing with menu options and features galore, most of which never get used. It's a solid and relatively heavy camera, reassuring in its build quality and easy to hold and use. The viewfinder is clear and large, uncluttered with the digital readout that occupies modern digital cameras, so you concentrate more on what you are seeing and less on numbers. The only really important information, aperture and shutter speed is there, plus a focus lock and a measure of over or underexposure. What more do you need? Operation is swift and the film advance quick. The top LCD gives you frame number, plus focus mode, battery level, mode of operation, shutter speed, and aperture - again all you really need for a film camera. The camera has a single centered focus point, seemingly hopelessly out-of-dare to someone used to dealing with modern multi-point autofocus, but in truth it serves perfectly well, especially if you are used to manual focus through a focusing prism (such you find on Contax SLRs). The simplicity this camera offers is really its greatest pleasure - obviously, with a film camera, image quality depends primarily on the lens and film used. Despite owning more sophisticated Canon film bodies, such as the excellent Elan 7E, I find myself loading and using the 650 and getting good numbers of excellent shots.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS Elan 7E

Clarity of pictures
Solid, quality componentry
Reliable - I've never had to get it repaired

Heavy
Hypersensitive auto-focus sometimes

I bought the 650 second hand from a friend 11 years ago for GBP 25.00. It was fabulous - took great clear pictures; I loved the comforting sound of the componentry when I clicked - it told me it was quality. I used it for some years then lent it to my niece who also enjoyed using it, mastering photography to a greater level than I.

I am now planning to take up photography again and more seriously and will keep my very first 'serious' camera as my back-up. I'll upgrade to a more recent Canon

Customer Service

None EVER required!

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None since, but hooked on Canon since first experience

easy to learn and use (good manuals)
sturdy, real metal and glass optics
tried and true - dependably great images!
The priority System and easy film loading
Fun; enough features to keep me happy; encourged me to try different things

Bulky, heavy, large bag needed to hold all. My shoulder gets sore.

I bought the camera with Canon 35-70 and 70-210 lenses, also with a Speedlite 300EZ flash when it first came out ($$$- I don't remember how much). I have used it extensively for 19 years. The cost spread out over the years makes it a bargain. It has needed only occassional minor repairs.
I have chronicled our family history - through kids and grandkids - vacations, sports, portraits, "artsy" shots. It taught me how to photograph.
The slides and pictures have always been dependably great. Pictures showing motion and depth of field tinkering are my favorites. I play with other cameras from time to time (belonging to friends and family), but I prefer the EOS package. It may lack some modern features and characteristics; but it has never been enough to tear me away for long. We take my husbands Nikon digital for pocket convience, but ...
I think that anyone wanting 35mm SLR definiton, would do well to purchase one, you won't be disappointed. I think todays beginners might not overlook the "outdated" bulk and heft. But anyone with knowlege will appreciate it.

Customer Service

National Camera Shop in Minneapolis.

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mulltiple cameras through the years, but I still come back.

strong easy to use simple tech heavy sturdy cams cheap

some but few

Wauw what a wonderfull little strong camera.Its a true workhorse and i use it as a back up for a back up,and skipped my EOS 5 and used EOS 100(my favorite)and this pearl instead. I used it recently for an assignment in italy(Sirolo)with a 70-200 lens and 24-85 using Agfa Slide films and Fuji put on Manfrotto tripods.The results is very good and im very satiesfied because the alternatives would be the EOS -1 or 5,which is soo heavy. Fortunately i took this with me and in short; get this or the other ones 630 ,620 and you will be absolutely surprised how good the Canon EOS650 still are.!

Customer Service

none

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eos 100,eos 5,eos 620,eos 1000,eos 10 and more ..

heavy, big, durable easy to use but profi function too

sometimes slow autofocus, with some third party flashes doesn't work OK

I bought it in second hand, but it was like never used, the batery was original!I like it weight, with 300mm zoom i don't use a tripod!The autofocus is a little bit slow, but for me its OK, i don't take pfotos of fast animal. I made own batery pack, its 2,8Ah capacity,conected with cable in batery grip.

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canon eos 600 canon eos 300V

beautiful camera to hold, reasonably solid build and feel, accurate exposure system

no remote release connection fitted as standard

when i feel like using autofocus i'll use the 650. my main camera is the t90 which i thoroughly enjoy. however, the 650 is just as great to use despite having less options (eg spot metering, 5 fps shutter etc) and feels more solid than many of the current eos models. still highly recommend it as a first camera or as backup. it may seem dated but if you don't need all the program options available on modern cameras then use the 650.

Customer Service

never used

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pentax sp1000 and mx , canon ae-1, t-70 and t-90.

The priority System easy film loading very easy to learn

It's a little bit bigger than I'd prefer

This was my first real camera. When my aunt kicked the bucket, we practically had a buffet picking and choosing what we wanted (her husband was getting rid of EVERYTHING). Anyways, it came with the standard 50mm lens, a nifty telephoto lens, and a flash. I'm a sports photographer at my High School and I've been using this BEAUTIFUL camera at every game. You cannot beat it. The directions, while at first cryptic, are VERY simple. The ability to set priority instead of actually taking the to set the settings every time you move is a huge help.

Customer Service

never used it

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A host of fully manual cameras

Nice lens for the price, great features.

Price of all the batteries it requires. Has a lot of settings that are difficult for the beginner to natigate and understand.

Great camera...great looks, easy to use. Love how the film loads with no problem. I am a rank beginner, so the results of my photos aren't dazzling.

Customer Service

Rather snobbish people....poor service at Wolf Photo.

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telephone lens, flash unit

dof feature & dof preview - auto bracketing -

no custom functions but for the money it cost thats to be expected.

the eos is a great little camera i use it for a backup camera,its features are simple so it very easy to use very ergonomic and takes a licken and keeps on ticken i especially like the dof feature.

Customer Service

have not had any problems with canon

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nikon 4004 ,canon t-90

Great all-round camera

Problems with compatibility with Tamron AF28-200mm XR Super Zoom. Won't focus except sporadically.

Started with a Pentax ME but left it in a taxi in London. Immediately bought an identical replacement in London (loss covered by insurance). A couple of years later I left the camera in case on the top of my Dad's car in Palm Springs, drove off and it bounced away into some happy new owner's hands. Insurance company came to the rescue again, so this time I bought the Canon EOS 650. Moved to Europe for three years and took photos all over western Europe, Pakistan and Guatemala on business trips, and back in the US. Photo quality so good, sold 10 photos of Italy to Corel for $100.00 apiece. I love this camera. It's part of my life. Our bedroom is decorated with various photos taken in Venice and a sometimes-hobby is to find old frames at garage sales, blow up the better photos and frame them then give them as gifts. Friends and family treasure them but not as much as we do. This camera is wonderful and my wife won't let me sell it even though we just bought a digital camera. No comparison!

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Pentax ME