EF-mount film camera.

I'm looking for a film camera that has an EF-mount for my photography class. Anything is fine as long as it has manual control. I definitely want to use my sigma 50mm f/1.4, but I do not trust the AF, especially with the old AF technology (goes off even with my 5Dc), so I want to use manual focus, but I know that not all cameras have focusing screens that are sensitive enough to see the DoF at f/1.4. Which camera should I buy?

AF technology hasn't changed since 1987, and focus doesn't need to be as accurate with film since you won't be using 100x loupes to examine them.

What's your budget? There was an EOS 3 in the buy/sell forum for $200.

EOS1n or an EOS3.
Don't worry about the focussing - I remember the AF system in both of these to be stunning!

okay well let me add on something - I don't trust the AF with my 5Dc either. at f/1.4 DoF is so thin and the sigma has some focusing issues too. It used to focus okay, but I got the AF in the body calibrated by canon, and it went off. But... I guess I won't be pixel peeping so it's all good?

And I want something cheap because... I don't think I'm going to use the camera other than class.

Focus on the 1n and 3 are better than the 5D imho.

If you want uber cheap pick yourself up an EOS 5. The eye controlled focus on them was a joy to use...

Get an EOS-3

You'll love the 45-point AF!

Just because the AF is old doesnt mean its worse, the EOS-3 and the EOS-1v's 45-point AF system is better than anything shy of a 1D or the 7D

EOS 1n is bombproof and a great camera but a but OTT for your use i'd guess
EOS 3 is nearly bombproof and it's spec is superb for the little money they go for these days
EOS 30 is cheaper, not so well built as the EOS 3, but still a great little camera

I bought an Eos3 off Flea bay for less than £100, as I wanted a film camera I could use with my EF lenses, and it really is a superb piece of kit.

Any one of the EOS bodies in the link below would likely suffice for your class. Personally I have two Elan 7 bodies, one of which was purchased used from KEH and was like new. It's a good camera that is reasonably priced. I also have a Rebel 2000 which has manual settings (M,Tv,Av) and are fairly inexpensive.

I just mounted my Canon 50mm f/1.4 on the Elan 7 to try manual focus. You shouldn't have any problem at with a combination like this.

Lately I've gotten back into shooting B&W film and really enjoying it both with the Elan's and medium format cameras. If you can get a chance try B&W and develop it yourself.

http://www.keh.com …E&ccode=2&cc=79​258&r=WG&f

EOS3 is worth getting IMO or if you want something a bit smaller & lighter the EOS30

I bought an EOS 10S and a film Rebel. Are these worth half a damn?

1s are like the 1s in the digital world, more than you need but bullet proof. Not for the OP.
3s are great bodies, but still $200ish and more than the OP needs.
5s (A2 or A2e here in the states) are ~$25 from KEH.com and perfect. manual controls, AF, blah blah blah, it's kinda like a film 5D really. Get one, you won't regret it.

as for focusing your 50mm 1.4. NO CAMERAS show you the DOF at 1.4... I think it's either 2.8 or 4 that the viewfinder shows you, so that'll be an issue either way. I think there are some focusing screens that show less DOF but I'm not sure.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #10583411
as for focusing your 50mm 1.4. NO CAMERAS show you the DOF at 1.4... I think it's either 2.8 or 4 that the viewfinder shows you, so that'll be an issue either way. I think there are some focusing screens that show less DOF but I'm not sure.

Not sure I understand what you're saying. At f/1.4 you'll see a shallow DOF through the viewfinder, the amount depending on the FL and a few other factors. To be able to view the DOF at anything less than f/1.4 the DOF Preview needs to be depressed to stop down the aperature.
Some focus screens may perform better at showing the DOF, but it won't change what the DOF actually is.

Maybe it's the way I'm reading what you wrote, that I'm not grasping what you're saying.....

I use a 3 and a 30 for my film needs. For manual focus lenses, the split image/microprism focusing screens are still easily available for the 3, and the AF is way better than the 5D2 I use. I recommend it. The 30 is also pretty good, you'll love the ECF system, and it's smaller and lighter than the 3 if that's a consideration.

Mark_48 wrote in post #10583589
Not sure I understand what you're saying. At f/1.4 you'll see a shallow DOF through the viewfinder, the amount depending on the FL and a few other factors. To be able to view the DOF at anything less than f/1.4 the DOF Preview needs to be depressed to stop down the aperature.
Some focus screens may perform better at showing the DOF, but it won't change what the DOF actually is.

Maybe it's the way I'm reading what you wrote, that I'm not grasping what you're saying.....

from what I've read, and seen shooting my fast primes, the DOF you SEE in the viewfinder looks like what a shot would be if taken at f/2.8~f/4. The lens is wide open, the image will have super thin DOF because it's wide open, but what you see in the viewfinder, even though it's coming through the lens with the aperture wide open, it'll look like an image with a 2.8 or 4 ish aperture. Not sure why, but it's true...

I just tried this with my 85L BTW:
MFD, aperture set to 2.8, hit the DOF preview button and you'll see the image get darker, but the DOF won't change. Same at f/4. From what I was seeing in the viewfinder, @ MFD there was ~4" in focus IN THE VIEWFINDER. Took the shot and looked at it on the screen and the IRL DOF was <1" as recorded. Stopped down to 2.8 and it was still well under what the viewfinder was showing me. f/4 was a lot closer.

Take your fastest lens and try it, but it's something to do with the viewfinder itself.