Teach me about Canon FILM bodies

[440roadrunner]

Ya, I know, this is a DIGITAL forum, but.....I've been recently thnking of getting a Canon film body so I can use both my AF Canon lenses, as well as my MF adapters etc, and maybe some other accessories--flash, etc.
So, how do I figgggger these things out? I realise the Rebel and "number" series are the lower end (Rebel G, EOS650)
Where does the Elan series, and things like the A2E fit in?
Is the A2E, fer example, just below the EOS1/ EOS3 etc series?
Many of these I find on the 'bay are older models, now, and I'm having difficulty putting them in some sort of order.
In other words, which are the "Mercedes", which the "Chivvys" and which the "Yugos?"
(By the way---next year's Yugo has an optional rear window defroster, so you can keep your hands warm while you are pushing it)

[DC Fan]

The Canon 1v (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194453-USA/Canon_2043A005_EOS_1v_Camera_Body.html) remains the company's top-of-the-line 35mm interchangeable lens SLR. It's an eight-year-old design (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/canon_eos-1v.shtml) that's not likely to be changed because of the emphasis on digital cameras.

[vondo]

Ya, I know, this is a DIGITAL forum, but.....I've been recently thnking of getting a Canon film body so I can use both my AF Canon lenses, as well as my MF adapters etc, and maybe some other accessories--flash, etc.
So, how do I figgggger these things out? I realise the Rebel and "number" series are the lower end (Rebel G, EOS650)
Where does the Elan series, and things like the A2E fit in?
Is the A2E, fer example, just below the EOS1/ EOS3 etc series?
Many of these I find on the 'bay are older models, now, and I'm having difficulty putting them in some sort of order.
In other words, which are the "Mercedes", which the "Chivvys" and which the "Yugos?"
(By the way---next year's Yugo has an optional rear window defroster, so you can keep your hands warm while you are pushing it)

A good source to read up on this (there are 20 years worth of cameras out there): http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/general.html

But in general, think of the EOS-1 series the same as the 1D series. The current Elan-7 is roughly comparable to the xxD series, although I'm sure AF has improved. The film-Rebels are probably best avoided since the price difference between that and an Elan is small. They are definitely not the film-equivalent of the 450D.

[elader]

Eos 3 - has the good AF system but is cheaper than the 1V

[Wilt]

The entire EOS lineup shares lenses in the EF mount. Older film cameras prior to the EF mount used the FD mount (or even older Canon breechlock mount) which is not usable with EF lenses, and the FD mount lenses require use of an optical element in order to focus to infinity with EOS bodies.

[timnosenzo]

I have an Elan 7NE that is a pleasure to use. Nice modern film body.

[René Damkot]

A2E is (almost) an EOS 5.

[440roadrunner]

Thanks, everyone, especially you, Vondo, that link there got me "rollin." I found some comparison charts and a wealth of info from that page.

Looks to me like I'll probably try to find an EOS-5---NOT an A2E, or a late model Elan, (7?)

I'm not interested in the 1-2-3 series, too big and heavy.

I just want to play with film a little, probably won't shoot all that much. My old film stuff is all Minolta MD, X-570/ 700/ 370 series, and of course none of my lenses can be made to work.

[Mark_Cohran]

Rebel<Elan-A2E--A5<EOS3<1VI

I have a film Rebel, and A2E and an EOS 3. The EOS3 is a delight!

[gdl357]

I suggest you get the Elan7NE or 7N. They are really great and the latest and last updated versions of film cameras by Canon. The NE has eye control focus points. I really like that feature.

[r300f28]

I have both the EOS 1V & the EOS 1N RS. Both cameras are in mint condition, considering they have been around the world & back.I use them from time to time, & would never part with then. I now shoot with the EOS-1D Mark II N

[apersson850]

The numbering system is more logical outside North America.
At least at some moment, they had the ususal setup: EOS 1, EOS3, 30, 300 and 3000 available, where just like today, the lower number was the better body.
I have an EOS 30, which on some markets is called the Elan 7E.
The different designations can be found at Canon's camera museum (http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1996-2000/2000_eos7.html?lang=us&categ=crn&page=1996-2000).

[DrPablo]

I occasionally use my Rebel G. Even compared to the 300D its autofocus is very slow and it only has 3 AF points.

That said, the lenses are the lenses, and you get a full 35mm frame with whatever film you want, and you can get a Rebel G for less than the cost of a 1 GB CF card.

[Colorblinded]

Since you can find EOS 3s in the $200-300 range now I think I'd say that's a hell of a deal. The A2e is sort of a precursor to the EOS 3 but the camera matured a lot in transitioning from the A2e to the 3. It's a great balance between the 1V performance and the lower price cameras, I'm keeping mine as sort of the "last film camera I'll never need."

[Milner]

I still pull my A2 out from time to time. It is a great camera that has served me well. They can be found CHEAP too. I have seen them locally as low as $75.

[Riff Raff]

The current Elan-7 is roughly comparable to the xxD series

I think the Elan 7NE is a pretty close match to my Rebel XTi, with the primary exception being the flash sync speed. The Elan only manages 1/125 x-sync. Also the Elan is seven focus points rather than nine. If you want a new film camera, I can recommend the Elan 7NE. If you're buying used, I'd shop for an EOS-3 probably.

[Colorblinded]

I think the Elan 7NE is a pretty close match to my Rebel XTi, with the primary exception being the flash sync speed. The Elan only manages 1/125 x-sync. Also the Elan is seven focus points rather than nine. If you want a new film camera, I can recommend the Elan 7NE. If you're buying used, I'd shop for an EOS-3 probably.
I'd compare Rebel to Rebel. Although features don't exactly match up I'd agree that the Elan 7/7E/7NE are closer to the xxD than they are to any of the Rebels in terms of their position in the respective film/digital lineups as well as relative features (to age), build and handling.

[Riff Raff]

I own a 40D, a Rebel XTi, and an Elan 7NE. The Elan 7NE is much more similar featurewise to the Rebel XTi, I assure you.

[Colorblinded]

I own a 40D, a Rebel XTi, and an Elan 7NE. The Elan 7NE is much more similar featurewise to the Rebel XTi, I assure you.
I own an XTi, owned a 7E and have used many other Canons. I don't think a direct comparison featurewise is valid... the Elan 7NE is an older camera however in terms of build and overall ergonimics it's closer to the xxD (compare more to perhaps a 10D or 20D to get at what closer to what was available around the same time). Featurewise, if the 7NE were released last year I suspect it would be more like the 30D or 40D than the Rebel, but again, it was not.

[Nick_b]

Just bought a Elan 7E it's about the size of a digital rebel but it has the thumb wheel in the back.

I bought a mint copy for 108 bucks on ebay.