Canon EOS 630

[OviV]

Our Canon Rebel x film camera has died. We would like to have a film camera to backup our Digital Rebel. I can get a 630 at a very good price. Does anyone have opinions about this camera?

Thanks,
Ovi

[jfretless]

The 630 is a decent camera, the best out of the 600 series, not including the RT. I would consider something newer. The A2/A2E are pretty cheap, full featured and overall a great camera. The ELAN 7e's are dirt cheap also, some here say that it complements the 10D quite well. Even if you go one step higher, the EOS 3 can be found in the 500 - 600 dollar range on ebay in near mint condition.

Well, back to the 630... definitely would work, but for a little more money you can get a nice jump in technology.

John

[Cordell]

John, or others who may reply-

What "jump in technology" would that be. I was looking at the 630 and 620 myself to go with my D60. I don't require anything fancy. Just something that has good AF and metering to use my 28-70 at the wide end instead of buying another lens to get wide on the wide end.

Cordell

[Tapeman]

I had a 630 & regret selling it. Rugged and fast.

[BoySpot]

I have the 600 which is what the 630 was called in the UK. It is only just being replaced by my 10D and that is partly because of a problem with battery drainage. I know intend to get it fixed since it is still a really great camera. It lacks bells and whistles but still does what you want it to. Get one if the price is right.

[jfretless]

Cordell,
The one "jump" would be in AF. If memory serves me, the 630 has only one AF point, the A2/A2E has 5? plus the A2E has eye control fucus. The A2E has a spot meter. 1/8000 shutter. Better metering?

The EOS 3 is the next generation above the A2/A2E. I used question marks above becuase I'm not 100% on some of my points, could be incorrect, but usually not :D

The 630 would be a good backup, but just because it's a backup doesn't mean that is has to "really old" model. Ideally, in my case, I would want a second 10D as my backup, but I can't afford that, so what can I afford and what's the best camera for that amount of money.

John

[Ballen Photo]

I have owned two 630's. They served me well, and have just about anything you would need in a film body. I still have one, and gave the other to my daughter.
Did you know the 630 was said to focus 4 times faster than the 620? Also can shoot up to 5 frames per second? The metering in this camera is accurate too.
Having said that, my list of acceptable, affordable backup EOS film bodies reads like this, but not necessarily in this order;
EOS 1 (can be found on ebay for around $450)
A2/A2e (A good Pro based camera but watch out for bad/weak command dials)
Elan 7/7e
Elan II/IIe (very underrated)
EOS 3 (Still a bit pricey)
EOS 630

Here's a link to reviews of EOS bodies by Bob Atkins, and includes his take on the 630. http://bobatkins.photo.net/photography/reviews/eosbodies.html

Good luck in your search.
........Bruce

[Cordell]

Although this post was not originally mine, thank you for answering because I'm interested in a film EOS too.

Cordell

[OviV]

Thanks all. The deal for the 630 fell thru so I am still looking and keeping all your suggestions in mind.

Ovi

[ron chappel]

The 630 is a great to use rugged camera but has it's flaws.
Focusing is utterly primative and slow compared to ANY modern eos.
They are subject to the annoying shutter bump rubber degradation (as are all models from the first EOS to the EOS 10/100/1000 series)
Once that rubber starts turning to tar you cant tell if it's causing the camera to fail until you get the pics (or no pics....) back. :shock:
Cleaning it off is only a limited and temprorary solution.Canon has the parts (the tiny replacement rubbers) but it costs about $75+ to install them.

I highly recommend any of the EOS50/5e/elan II/elan IIe.
Actually i highly recomend any entry camera from the EOS 500 onwards but few share my enthusiasm for these tiny things. :?