The grip and feel Strong construction Not too light Good range of useful overrides and custom functions Fast and quiet

Back cover not locked when film loaded. Eyepiece obstructs full view of viewfinder. Eyepiece blind is cheap and nasty and fiddly to fit. Depth of field preview button is too small and not ergonomically placed.

After more than 20 years using a second hand FTb and then a second hand F1N, this is the first new camera I have bought, and the first AF camera with the electronics. The feel of the camera is great - love the grip and placement of the controls. Seems to be a very good compromise on quality of construction and price. I'm even getting used to the light body feel. The EOS 3 was the next on the list, but cost more than twice as much, and seemed to be even more towards the 'leave it to us' style of photography. The viewfinder readouts are easy to understand, and the user controls in the P, Av, T and manual modes are easy after a little practice. The Eyepiece is not so good: I wear thick glasses and it is not easy to see the full viewfinder. The tacky little rubber eyepiece blind is a pain to fit when needed - the normal eyepiece surround needs removing first! Canon should be able to come up with something better than this (they did, more than 20 years ago, and it is on the F1). I have the focus mode on single shot most of the time with the centre focussing point (manual), being used to manual control. But, I have experienced situations where the AI focus and auto focussing points have helped. The exposure metering seems to be smarter than I am - the evaluative metering is so good that I think I would make more mistakes using a spot meter (which this camera does not have and does not miss) than the evaluative meter makes (we all make some mistakes!. The depth of field feature is something I use when I can't remember what it should be for the magnification. Unfortunately, the depth of field button is small, and not where my fingers are when holding the lens and body. This camera has enough depth of features that you can spend some fun time getting more and more from the camera (and its add-on flash options) and still appreciate the more manual approach. Overall, a really good camera for the price.

Customer Service

Very good when I bought it. The advice was good. Hasn't needed any follow-up.

Similar Products Used:

FTb (since given to my son doing multi-media work). F1N with AE finder (it may die, but it will never leave me!)

Light, cheap, has what it needs to get the job done.

Cheaply made. Feel VERY plasticky. Sometimes I worry it will break if I drop it or use it too hard.

Got this camera to backup my EOS1v. I just needed a no non-sense camera to do the job and this is just that, and some more. It has some basic and some nice professional features (ETTL, and FP flash, etc).

Similar Products Used:

Nikon manual and autofocus cameras, Canon autofocus cameras, medium formats, etc etc.

Build is fine Lots of lens to choose from BP300 QUIET QUIET QUIET Faster than anything else in it's class EX flashes DOF Layout Not too heavy The darn thing is fun to use. Makes learning easier

Stupid focus aid strobe.(warn your subject or it will scare the snot out of them.) NO spot meter

I've had this camera for a good while now and it still amazes me. I reserched alot of different cameras before settling on the 7. The layout of the controls is excelent.(Nikon N 80 just didn't feel "right". Nice camera though.) Everything falls comfortably under the right finger, and the control dail on the back is great. I shoot alot of photos in churches and this camera is super quiet and fast. The handgrip is a nessecity. Get it, in not too expensive. Also get an EX flash and turn off the annoying strobe light. The ETT-L takes some getting used to after using manual flashes, but it works just fine. The built in flash is great for quick shots around the house. This camera has helped me advance my photographing skills in so many ways. It opens the door to so many possibilities. I keep hinting at an EOS 3 but keep changing my mind because this camera does everything that I want (with the exception of spot metering). I just can't justify "upgrading". Go out and buy one, you wnat be sorry.

Customer Service

Never Needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 400si Minolta ST201 Canon lens Minolta lens Sigma lens

See summary

See summary.

My old Pentax ME super died and it was time to delve into the new technology auto focus cameras. I agonized over the Elan 7 and the Nikon N80 or F80. The Elan is very quiet, light, 4 fps, quick autofocus, mirror lockup, bright viewfinder and midroll release. But the Elan nas no spot meter, has annoying strobe AF assist, no LED backlight, searches in low light and lower tech flash and only fit OK in my hand. The N80 felt more sturdy, held well in hand, had noticeably better low light focus, more intuitive layout, spotmeter, better flash, and can do midroll rewind if you take it in to an authorized depot to adjust the settings. But the N80 had a darker viewfinder (reflection) and only 2.5fps (not an issue for me). Both cameras had very accurate autofocus and metering. I thought the Nikon had better zoom lenses. I really didn't want to compromise as this would be a longterm investment and wanted the features that both cameras had. I stumbled upon the Minolta Maxxum 7 which was a dream come true with all the features of the other two cameras plus a full data back. The Minolta had the brightest viewfinder, superior autofocus, superb metering in tough conditions (backlit), powerful 1/200 flash, held very securely in my hand and best of all was so intuitive you rarely needed the manual. I purchased the Minolta and matched it with a Minolta 24-105 lens and polarizer filter. I have had this camera for a year now and am glad I didn't compromize because this was a longterm purchase. If you can afford the Maxxum 7 buy it, if you can't I'd probably get the Canon

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F80 Minolta Maxxum 7

Quiet Compact Durable Have I mentioned its quiet?

I don't really consider these weaknesses, but limitations for a camera in this price range: NO LED Backlight NO Spotmeter NO Viewfinder Blind The viefinder is also relatively small. All of these observations are relative to my experience with my EOS 1N. In all fairness, the value of this camera exceeds its price.

I purchased this camera for two reasons; first, I wanted a good back-up to my EOS 1N, second, I liked the reports of the quietness of the camera. This camera has fulfilled both of my expectations completely. It replaced my EOS 650 as a back-up camera, and it is quiet enought to be useful in situations where quiet is needed. I photograph weddings on a part-time basis, and have found this to be the camera of choice during the ceremony. Overall, this camera is very intuitive to use. I call it a back-up camera because of its price relative to that of my 1N. In all honesty, though, since purchasing this camera I have used it more than the 1N for my recreational photography. The balance is great with the BP-300 attached. It is light and compact, but also feels durable for its place in the product line. For someone looking for a good hobbyists camera this is really a no-brainer. BUY THIS CAMERA! It offers user interface which is equally simple from full auto to full manual. It is a camera you can learn with and not outgrow.

Customer Service

Not needed for this camera. I sent my 650 in once and Canon was fair, honest and timely.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1N Canon EOS 650

Intuitive controls. Nice weight. Ability to expand Fully compatible with Canon L Series lenses.

No Spot Metering

Two words...Great camera! Have an EOS-3 and use this as a backup. All the controls are easily accessible. Fetures include: Shutter speeds from Bulb, 30 secs. to 1/4000. Depth of field preview. Mirror lock up. Fully automatic to fully manual modes. Only draw back is no spot metering. That's OK because I can zoom in and partial meter the area. Also, it makes the user have to learn about light and exposure, a skill many of today's photographers don't have.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

EOS-3 Nikon F100 Nikon N80

Price, features weight and balance - extraodinary.

Great Camera, Easy to hold, nice weight and feel. Dial controls are easy to set. I would prefer buttons for some functions ie: mirror lock-up. The lenses are easy to change and have a nice balance and feel. I bought the camera to advance technologically - my last purchase was some thirty years ago when I purchased a metal-body Canon F-1 a system camera I built on over the years but you just can't beat the new autofocus cameras for speed and flexibility. My Elan 7 is without the eye focus control and I wouldn't change it I think.... I haven't tried the eye control. Overall a great camera for serious amateur or professional. I may buy a second body someday.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Digital G2 Nikon F80

Over all features, high available framing rate, built in dipoter control, greatly customizable, economical cost.

Very annoying white focus aid light on the built in flash, viewfinder display illuminates for only 4 seconds which is far too short.

The Elan 7 represents probably one of the best features-per-dollar values in an SLR. It used to be a photographer had to buy into the high end, professional model of an SLR maker to obtain features like depth of field preview, mirror lock up and multiple exposures, all together in one unit. The Elan 7 follows the latest trend in mid-level cameras by incorporating as many features as many professional photographers would deem essential, yet leaves settings conveniently ready for the "set and forget" snap shooter or beginner who is unconcerned with details. This salvo type design philosophy is obviously intended to snare as many potential buyers as possible, and it works in this case. Lacking for the most serious professional would be the tank like construction of an all metal chassis and virtual lack of moisture sealing, but these are areas of compromise needed to keep the camera within the affordable reach of most. I've found this model to be very suitable for my purposes of casual, around the house and yard, family snap shots. The autofocus, while I have read of some criticism of its abilities in low light and insufficient contrast (it will hunt several times, then quit and give you a blinking "can't focus" dot in the finder), is just as good as any other Canon AF camera of recent vintage I've tried. Luckily, you can turn off the annoying, white light, red eye reduction lamp, but unfortunately you cannot disable the equally annoying, short distance, and virtually ineffective white autofocus assist pulses which fire from the built in flash in low EV levels. My advise: use the built in flash for convenient fill when outdoors, but inside, mount an EZ series shoe mount unit, which will use a virtually unnoticed and very effective near infrared beam. That Canon abandoned this as a built in feature (the Elan II had it though) is a shame, and its presence would be well worth the few extra dollars it might cost. Except for using a reference for the custom functions (it has 13), the camera is very easy to use with controls and switches well marked and readable. It is plenty able without being overly confusing; after using the Elan II, A2 and EOS 1n, I rarely had to reference the manual, which is fairly straightforward and comprehendible. The 4 frame per second framing rate is a plus and again, an outstanding performance for a camera in this price rang

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Rebel 2000, Elan II, A2, Eos 1n

Front/Top Body plates. More of a solid feel than Elan IIe. a bit Quicker ECF. Customs functions are better than Elan IIe. 7 focus point.

Film camera door seems flimsy, it sqeeks when pressed. Focus Assist light is better in Elan IIe.

Handling is very good with optional grip. Metering is better than Elan IIe. ECF works great when it works but sometimes I find it goes out of whack and had to turn the camera off/on and it works good again. (i still prefer ECF). Control layouts are good and easy to set the settings.

Customer Service

never needed so far

Similar Products Used:

Rebel G Elan IIe

quality of build...ease of use...number of useful features...looks

can honestly not think of one single weakness! May-be lack of spotmeter, but the "partial metering" mode is almost as good, and all I would ever need, anyway.

Bought this camera after trading in my nikon n70. What a difference! I can change modes with ease! A very simple camera to use, yet has every feature an amateur photographer such as myself would ever want. And the camera has a nice solid feel to it, thanks to the metal parts on the body! Also, it doesn't hurt that the camera is sexy looking! The metering is most always right on! The focusing is swift and accurate, and the focus indicators in the viewfinder are awesome! The programming you can do with it are frosting on the cake!

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70 Pentax ZX5N