Canon EOS Elan 7E Review

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Canon EOS Elan 7E Review

Peter Kun Frary
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Before writing this review, I spent several months shooting with my Elan 7E and 420EX Speedlite in Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington. I encountered a wide variety of shooting conditions--rain forests, mountain tops, white sand beaches and urban jungles--and was able to test most of the camera's features. Nevertheless, this review is from an amateur photographer's perspective and, thus, I left hardcore techie stuff to the experts. If you would like more detailed information about the technical features and specifications of this camera, study the review of the Elan 7E in the April 2001 issue of Popular Photography.

EOS Elan 7E • Shot with EOS 5D & EF 24-105 4L IS USM.

The EOS Elan legacy began with the technologically stunning 1991 Elan (EOS 100): cross AF sensor; Quick Control Dial (QCD); three meter patterns; automatic, semiautomatic and manual exposure and AF modes galore; custom functions, barcode programming, auto zoom popup flash; and silent motor drive. Today, the original Elan is still an able performer. The Elan IIE (EOS 50E) debuted in 1995 and added Eye Controlled Focus (ECF), 3 AF sensors and E-TTL flash to the feature list. Canon's newest SLR--the EOS Elan 7E in North America (EOS 7 in Japan and EOS 30 elsewhere)--boasts no technological breakthroughs. However, this third generation Elan is the most feature packed and refined design of the series.

Sliver Lake, Washington • EOS Elan 7E, EF 28-135 IS USM, Elite Chrome. I shot this image in AV mode at F11 and let the camera's 35 zone Evaluative meter determine the shutter speed.
Major Features
Nearly every useful feature from past EOS cameras has been refined and incorporated in the Elan 7E:

Seven-point wide area auto focus was borrowed from the Rebel 2000, tweaked and dressed up with flashing AF rectangles and eye-controlled focus.

Whisper Drive. The silent motor drive rips at 4 frames per second (3.5 FPS in AI Servo). The mirror slap is surprisingly soft, but not as soft as the original Elan. Your subject may not know you took a picture.

Shutter Speeds. 1/4000 to 30 seconds in 1/2 stop increments. Bulb and self timer ability. 1/125 flash sync. Same as the previous two Elans.

Three metering patters: 35 zone evaluative, center weighted and partial (10% of frame). No spot meter.

Multitude of exposure modes: programmed "PIC" modes (sports, night, portrait, etc.), programmed AE, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and depth of field. Moreover, you may override P, AV and TV modes with -2 to +2 of exposure compensation or auto bracketing. Same as the previous two Elans and the A2.

E-TTL Flash Metering. You'll need the 420EX or 550EX external flash for E-TTL features like High-Speed Sync (FP), Flash Exposure Lock (FE) and wireless multiple Speedlites with ratio control. The built in flash and older flashes (430EZ, 540EZ, etc.) use TTL metering with this camera.

Dioptric Adjustment (-2.5 to + 0.5) is built into the eyepiece. You won't care about this if you have 20/20 vision, but a sharp viewfinder for the rest of us makes for better shooting. The original Elan lacked this feature.

13 Custom Functions. This feature lets you customize some controls and/or features. For example, you may move AF activation to another button or have a choice of leaving the film leader in or out after rewind. The original Elan has 7 custom functions.

Depth of field preview is available via a small button on the front of the camera. This button also doubles as a modeling light when used with the 420EX or 550EX flash in wireless mode.

Mirror Lockup is available by setting a custom function. Locking up the mirror helps avoid vibration during high magnification photography or slow shutter speeds. It's a pain to set this feature every time you need it.

Metal body plates. It's really a plastic fantastic camera--fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate--but the black anodized aluminum body plates give it added rigidity and durability. There's also metal in other places that count: the pressure plate and the lens mount. The body is not weather sealed but is tough enough for most amateurs. If you frequently shoot in wet conditions you should consider the fully sealed and all metal EOS 1V instead.

Field of Dreams At Mokuleia • EOS Elan 7E, EF 28-135 IS USM, Fuji NPH 400

©Copyright 2001-2006 by Peter Kun Frary • All Rights Reserved

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.	. Canon EOS Elan 7E Review Peter Kun Frary . Before writing this review, I spent several months shooting with my Elan 7E and 420EX Speedlite in Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington. I encountered a wide variety of shooting conditions--rain forests, mountain tops, white sand beaches and urban jungles--and was able to test most of the camera's features. Nevertheless, this review is from an amateur photographer's perspective and, thus, I left hardcore techie stuff to the experts. If you would like more detailed information about the technical features and specifications of this camera, study the review of the Elan 7E in the April 2001 issue of Popular Photography. EOS Elan 7E • Shot with EOS 5D & EF 24-105 4L IS USM. The EOS Elan legacy began with the technologically stunning 1991 Elan (EOS 100): cross AF sensor; Quick Control Dial (QCD); three meter patterns; automatic, semiautomatic and manual exposure and AF modes galore; custom functions, barcode programming, auto zoom popup flash; and silent motor drive. Today, the original Elan is still an able performer. The Elan IIE (EOS 50E) debuted in 1995 and added Eye Controlled Focus (ECF), 3 AF sensors and E-TTL flash to the feature list. Canon's newest SLR--the EOS Elan 7E in North America (EOS 7 in Japan and EOS 30 elsewhere)--boasts no technological breakthroughs. However, this third generation Elan is the most feature packed and refined design of the series. Sliver Lake, Washington • EOS Elan 7E, EF 28-135 IS USM, Elite Chrome. I shot this image in AV mode at F11 and let the camera's 35 zone Evaluative meter determine the shutter speed. Major Features Nearly every useful feature from past EOS cameras has been refined and incorporated in the Elan 7E: Seven-point wide area auto focus was borrowed from the Rebel 2000, tweaked and dressed up with flashing AF rectangles and eye-controlled focus. Whisper Drive. The silent motor drive rips at 4 frames per second (3.5 FPS in AI Servo). The mirror slap is surprisingly soft, but not as soft as the original Elan. Your subject may not know you took a picture. Shutter Speeds. 1/4000 to 30 seconds in 1/2 stop increments. Bulb and self timer ability. 1/125 flash sync. Same as the previous two Elans. Three metering patters: 35 zone evaluative, center weighted and partial (10% of frame). No spot meter. Multitude of exposure modes: programmed "PIC" modes (sports, night, portrait, etc.), programmed AE, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and depth of field. Moreover, you may override P, AV and TV modes with -2 to +2 of exposure compensation or auto bracketing. Same as the previous two Elans and the A2. E-TTL Flash Metering. You'll need the 420EX or 550EX external flash for E-TTL features like High-Speed Sync (FP), Flash Exposure Lock (FE) and wireless multiple Speedlites with ratio control. The built in flash and older flashes (430EZ, 540EZ, etc.) use TTL metering with this camera. Dioptric Adjustment (-2.5 to + 0.5) is built into the eyepiece. You won't care about this if you have 20/20 vision, but a sharp viewfinder for the rest of us makes for better shooting. The original Elan lacked this feature. 13 Custom Functions. This feature lets you customize some controls and/or features. For example, you may move AF activation to another button or have a choice of leaving the film leader in or out after rewind. The original Elan has 7 custom functions. Depth of field preview is available via a small button on the front of the camera. This button also doubles as a modeling light when used with the 420EX or 550EX flash in wireless mode. Mirror Lockup is available by setting a custom function. Locking up the mirror helps avoid vibration during high magnification photography or slow shutter speeds. It's a pain to set this feature every time you need it. Metal body plates. It's really a plastic fantastic camera--fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate--but the black anodized aluminum body plates give it added rigidity and durability. There's also metal in other places that count: the pressure plate and the lens mount. The body is not weather sealed but is tough enough for most amateurs. If you frequently shoot in wet conditions you should consider the fully sealed and all metal EOS 1V instead. Field of Dreams At Mokuleia • EOS Elan 7E, EF 28-135 IS USM, Fuji NPH 400 ©Copyright 2001-2006 by Peter Kun Frary • All Rights Reserved	.
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Canon EOS Elan 7E Review

Peter Kun Frary .

Peter Kun Frary
.