Excellent amateur camera. Enough shutter speeds (up to 1/4000 of a second)for sports photography. Lot of custom functions.

Sometimes the Eye Controlled Depth of Field Preview is a pain to activate. No spot metering.

The Elan IIe has a lot of features that allow you to grow with the system without the need of buying an expensive body.

Customer Service

Not for know.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel II, Nikon N-50, Pentax K-1000, Minolta Maxxum 7000.

Tons of great features. Can Do anything that you want, from fully auto to creativly manual. Easy to use and easy to learn.

No spot metering and the bocy is a little bit flimsy.

This is the best camera for the money, you can not beat the price or the features. I would suggest it for any advanced amatur or as an inexpensive back up camera for the professional on the move.

Customer Service

None needed, its been fantastic.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum, assorted medium format cameras.

Ease of use for any skill level (me!). Manual relatively clear. Although camera for the most part is intuitive. Great lens selection (also bought 75-300 IS). Once familiar with the function, the auto eye focus spoils you.

In full auto mode, exposure gets tricked under low lighting conditions.

Why didn't I spend the money a long time ago. Great compromise for a beginner (me), lots of features but not intimidating. I'm spoiled.

Customer Service

No need.

Similar Products Used:

Canon IX Lite, old Yashica GSN (rangefinder), nothing else.

A very easy to use camera. Thumb wheels make it very easy to adjust aperature and shutter speed. This camera is the easiest to use in it's class. The unit is lightweight and auto focus fast and accurate.

The USM lens that came with it (35 to 70 zoom) is cheaply made although it takes a pretty good picture.

I read the reviews and bought this camera based on what everyone was saying and it was definitely the right choice.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70

More useful features than any competing model in its price range - such as mirror lock, second curtain flash sync,multiple exposures, etc. Controls are very easy & quick to use. They are far better than scrolling through menus as on many other cameras. The eye control focus works great once you get it properly calibrated. I really like the super quiet film transport when I'm shooting at an occasion where noisier cameras would be a distraction to the people around me. The optional battery pack/vertical shutter release stays on my camera at all times. The EX flash system with high speed sync, flash exposure lock, flash exposure comp, second curtain sync, etc is excellent. Canon's USM autofocus is faster and quieter than anything else that's even close in price. I think this camera is better than any competing model. I regard the light weight made possible by advanced materials (fiber reinforced polymers) a plus, not "cheap." My neck likes it, anyway, when I'm carrying it aroung on a neckstrap. Camera technicians say it will survive being dropped better than many heavy metal cameras.

I wish it had true spot metering and a faster film wind. It could use a PC flash cord connector, too, but an adapter for the hot shoe takes care of that. I don't much like the 28-80mm lens that comes in kits. I later bought the 28-105 and it has better sharpness, contrast, and color. Anyone want to buy a used 28-80 in mint condition?

I think you would have to spend a LOT more money to get anything any better at all from a competitor.
The manual doesn't explain the eye control focus very well. I calibrated several times on the same calibration number and at a different light level each time (inside, outside bright, outside cloudy, etc.) and it has worked flawlessly since. The microprocessor saves data on your pupil size at different light levels. I did this on one calibration number (1)without glasses, then repeated the whole process on calibration number 2 with glasses. Since then I've used eye control focus about 90-95% of the time and love it. I just use the calibration setting that corresponds to whether or not I'm wearing glasses.

Customer Service

I've emailed Canon twice with questions about accessory capabilities. Once they resonded by email the next day, another time they actually called me by phone! I was impressed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 630, EOS Rebel G, Pentax P30t

easy to figure out. lightweight. infinitely customizable. fits in hand well and moves with action. great entry-level sports camera.

exposure tends to be a bit off. i almost always had to set iso at 80 on 100 speed film to get best results. no spot metering. 2.5 fps.

so i have a few gripes. that doesn't change the fact that i shot action sports camera with exclusively this body for 3 years. it's not expensive, but will get you pro results if you put the time in to learn how to use it.

i also recommend the bp-5 battery pack. it has a vertical shutter release which i believe is indespensible to sports photography. and the 380 ex speedlight is designed specifically for this camera body. if you're serious about photography (such as a college photojournalist looking for your first setup), this is a great place to get started. by the body for cheap, and start building your lens collection. can't go wrong.

Customer Service

no experience yet.

Similar Products Used:

a2e
rebel g
rebel xs
n-50
n-70
n-90
f-4

This camera is my second in the EOS line, have is by far the best. It's easy enough for an amateur to use and advanced enough for a semi-pro like myself.

Need date stampping

Best camera on the market for the price, if you have the money go with the EOS Elan IIE.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Rebel G, Elan 1

Depth of Field Preview, Mirrow Lock, Affordability,
Eye Controlled Focus works Fast and Accurately

Viewfinder is ok could be brighter.

This is a wonderful camera with many first rate pro features. Professional results are possible with this camera and the right lens. Amateurs can afford(justify the expense of) this camera and enjoy fantastic results.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

None

Lots of features including mirror lock, depth-of-field preview (I love it), multiple exposures, mid-roll rewind (I change film half way fairly often), useful custome functions settings. Very friendly user interface: all icons function markings are very self-explainatory and easy to understand and remember. Eye controlled autofocus works flawlessly for me.

I sometime had to use exposure compensation to get correctly exposed indoor flash pictures.

best camera for the money at its price range! Great combo with Canon 550EX flash and Canon 28-135 IS USM !

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

canon rebel G, nikon n70

The Canon Elan II E QD allows users to imprint dates onto their pictures, a very handy feature if your employer requires. This camera also has a great metering system that is tough to beat on a camera in this price range.

nope

Great overall camera. Good engineering and craftsmanship.

Customer Service

na

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel XS