Canon EOS Elan IIE Film Camera

Pros: Advanced photographic capabilities without paying thousands of dollars, simple and straight-forward to use, ergonomic design.
Cons: If you are a beginner, this might be a complicated camera

Everyone has a favorite blanket or something that makes them feel secure when they are away from home. For me, this is the Canon EOS Elan IIE 35mm auto-focus camera. My camera of choice when I go on vacations or weekend getaways is my trusted EOS...

Pros: An Excellent, Durable Camera for the Ages
Cons: Uggh, the Digital Age has just arrived...back to the drawing board

“Hi, my name is Jack. And I just recently bought a cell phone.” Gasps. Muttering in the crowd followed by polite salutation in unison: “Hi, Jack”. That’s how I figure my first Technophobes Anonymous meeting will go. Actually, I ...

Pros: Professional Quality, yet my mother can still handle it
Cons: Make sure you REALLY want that E (eye controlled feature)

Note: My Model is the Elan IIe. This camera body can come either with that little e- for eye controlled focus or without.

I think I became a shutterbug by default. If I don't take the pictures in my family, my kids...

Pros: Dozens of incredible features! Simple to use, Takes great pictures!
Cons: Expensive, Complicated to learn at first

Buying a camera, whether you're a beginner or one of the most advanced professional photographers, takes time. There are single reflex cameras, there are automatic cameras, manual cameras, digital ones, metal ones, plastic...the list goes on and on....

Pros: Easy picture taking, great results
Cons: none

When I took photography in college, I had bought a really cheap SLR camera. Now that I'm out in the real world, I finally decided that it was time to invest in a new one. All I wanted was an SLR camera that had auto focus on it. I don't remember too...

Pros: Ergonomic design, easy to understand layout, fast autofocus, mirror lock up.
Cons: Have to look up custom functions, film advance speed isn't that fast.

This is the camera I didn’t think I would ever buy. Previously, I was using an old manual focus Canon AE-1, which I loved. Lenses for it were dirt cheap, and it was a rugged, functional camera. However, one day, I picked a roll of film that I had ...

Pros: ergonomic design, quality of construction, excellent exposure/flash integration, and, wow, eye-controlled focus
Cons: size (minor con), and not all controls are conveniently placed (most are)

In spite of just a couple of minor quirks with this camera, it is my favorite of all the cameras that I've owned in my life. I agree with most of the reviews of this camera, so I've tried below to add some thoughts that other reviewers have not...

Pros: versatile, reliable
Cons: heavy

When I bought this camera, I was originally looking for a point and shoot with a big zoom. I am so glad I decided to spend the extra money and get the Canon Elan II instead.

At that time, I hadn't done a whole lot of photography. I was...

Pros: Does everything you will need it to do!
Cons: Limited only by the 35mm format!

The Canon Elan IIe package including the Canon Ultrasonic 28-80mm zoom lens is the best pre-professional camera for your money! This camera does everything, but you still don't have to know anything to get started and learn. It can be fully manual...

Pros: Advanced consumer-grade camera with good set of features. EOS-capable lens set. E-TTL flash.
Cons: Superceeded. slow, hunting AF. Ungainly DOF preview. "ARGH" on grab shots in default AF mode.

I've had a Elan IIe for four years now and I'm looking for an excuse to replace it. Part of it is because technology always moves forward, but part of it is that I was never really happy with some of its functions.

I should start by...

Pros: Great camera with many features
Cons: none

This camera has just about every feature you could think of. I have owned the Elan II (no eye-start feature) for about 2 years now. I've been doing photography for about 15 years and have my own darkroom.

Previous to this camera I had a...

Pros: Best value for money
Cons: At this price, almost none

If you are a beginner just stepping into the world of photography, or an intermediate amateur looking for a second body to add to your kit, you should give this fine piece of equipment a look. This article is however mainly intended to provide...

Pros: easy to use, thoughtful design
Cons: not many, no PC-sync outlet

I bought the Elan II looking for a camera that would give me the features I needed to control my pictures creatively, yet without spending a hefty wad of cash. This camera was designed to be a good mid-level camera for photographers ranging from rookies...

Pros: A versatile SLR for the serious photographer
Cons: on camera LCD can't be seen at night. Film advance motor gets a little weak with bulk-loaded film and canisters.

I don't know why the Elan IIE isn't listed in the EOS product family, but it's definitely out there, available for your purchase. I have had my Elan IIE for over a year now, and have had no problems with it. I use a Tamron 28-105 zoom AF lens which has...

Pros: Eye control, very creative
Cons: slow shutter response

The Canon Elan IIE is one of the most versatile midrange cameras. It is, in my opinion, the best "amateur," or non-professional, camera.

Its main features lend themselves mostly to creative composing. The relatively high range of...

Pros: Easy to use and figure out
Cons: I still do not know how to use a few of the options

The Canon EOS really gives you something to smile about. I got mine as a gift, but would have spent the money on it now that I know what I got. As a beginner photographer I was too afraid to spend a lot of money on a camera, but disposable cameras...

Pros: features, lens system, interface
Cons: could be more durable

I love this camera. Canon's non-professional cameras are, in my opinion, the ones that give you the most for the price.

You have all that you need, and the feel of the elan II is very manual-like because of the big control knobs. Up here in...

Pros: Inexpensive, versatile, easy-to-use
Cons: Bulkier than a point-and-shoot, accessories get expensive

I chose the Elan IIE based on a friend's recommendation. It was the first SLR I purchased--but even in retrospect--it was an excellent choice. More solid than the Rebel series, and much more affordable than the EOS-3, the Elan II is a perfect...

Pros: Very easy to use for beginners, with lots of advanced functions available too
Cons: Canon lenses (NOT the camera) tend to be lower quality, eye-control unnecessary

Let me start this review with one simple statement: If you are an INTERMEDIATE or NOVICE photographer -- someone who has taken one or two photography classes, or taken it up as a hobby, or travels a lot, or just wants to take more serious pictures --...

Pros: Well designed manual overrides
Cons: possible shutter problem

To avoid taking a foreign language in High School I decided to take an Art Class. I ended up with 4 years of photography in High School and working as a dark room lab assistant in college.

It was painful when the Pentax 100 died. I know the...

Pros: ALl the bells and whistles (that you can also turn off) , pre-fire mirror lockup, eye control focus
Cons: Only 3 AF points, 9.5% partial metering , 90% viewfinder coverage

The ElanIIe (with eye control) is an excellent mid-level ($390 body only) camera for an amateur photographer. It has all the usual bells and whistles like any other modern AF SLR body (which I don't think is useful in a product review since it's...

Pros: Features, ease of use, lenses available
Cons: No light on LED panel

I purchased my Elan IIe in April '95 and have used it extensively in the past 5 years. My decision was made after researching cameras from Minolta, Nikon, Pentax and Canon. Nikon makes fine cameras BUT they're often 'feature shy' except in their top...

Pros: Features. Integrity. Brand Name. Lens. Full Auto Mode.
Cons: Heavy. Pricey.

I wanted to replace an aging Pentax A3000 and narrowed the field to the Nikon 60 & Canon Rebel...when I went to my local camera store and held the ELAN IIE...WOW!!! Just holding it made me want to buy it -- for its body integrity and feel -- the...

Pros: All the features you want/need, at a great price.
Cons: Eye control, could have a bit zippier spots/sec rate.

When I worked for the New University (An amazing college newspaper. Best I've ever read, in fact.) we had 2 choices of camera, this, or the Rebel G. Nobody wanted the Rebel G, primarily because this camera blew it out of the water so thoroughly. In...

Pros: easy to use, lots of features, eye controlled focus
Cons: too light, pop-up flash is terrible

I love this camera, I mean I really love this camera. In high school I worked as a photographer for both the newspaper and the yearbook staff. While doing that I had to use the standard issue Pentax (fully manual, but I forget the model number). As a...

Pros: intuitive controls, many features
Cons: viewfinder not ideal for glasses wearers, exposure scale only goes to +- 2 stops

The EOS Elan II is perfect for the intermediate to advanced amateur photographer. It may not have all the features of the top-level professional camera bodies, but then, it also doesn't cost $1000 or more.

The camera is compatible with the...

Pros: Ergonomics, durability, extremely fast focusing.
Cons: None, unless you try to make it do something it wasn't intended for.

For reference, I'm an advanced amateur photographer who shoots primarily landscape and science documentary-type photography. 99% of my shots are captured on slow speed slide film (i.e. Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS, etc.) Manufacturer's Specifications:...

Pros: Weight, EF lens Mount, 6 zone metering
Cons: Picky about what lenses will work, Battery Door

I still haven't made the final jump to digital, I have a small digital camera but it just doesn't compare to results a good SLR, good lens and good film can provide. I purchased this camera in March used to replace my old Canon EOS 650. ...

Pros: If the ELAN2 doesn't have the feature/option you "want" maybe you should re-evaluate your wants!
Cons: cryptic menus, and control markings!

I had planned my ELAN 2e as a replacement for an A-1, and F-1... both a bit long in the tooth, and showing their age (besides, the dreaded A-1 shutter squeak was about annoying) I like all the gadgets, and features of the A-1... the ELAN has them all,...

Pros: Bargain now that it has been replaced by the 7.
Cons: Known issue with battery compartment.

With the release of the Elan 7/7e the Elan II/IIe has become a bargain in the used market or from a dealer that wants to empty their remaining inventory.

I purchased the Elan II used. It was in mint condition cosmetically. The two features...

Pros: Everything!
Cons: Nothing!

I'm a college photography student and photo editor for our paper, a few months ago I began my quest for the perfect camera. The Canon Elan IIE QD was my ultimate treasure. It packs a powerful punch and fit nicely in my budget.

This camera is...

Pros: Well made, eye-control focus
Cons: No lens included

So, this is it. This is the one all of you have been waiting for. This camera does everything, and perhaps a little more. I have never owned an SLR camera, but decided that I had to have one. Did my research, asked some friends, and, well, this is...

Pros: Very Sharp photographs
Cons: Bit expensive

Elan II E is an excellent SLR Camera with three point focus with eye controlled autofocus works in both vertical and horizontal camera positions. Camera can be calibrated to three eyes and once calibrated all you need to do is to see at a particular...

Pros: Durable, Easy, Dead reliable, tons of lenses and accessories, all manual mode switch
Cons: low contrast focusing at f5.6

I've had this camera for about 5 years now and have taken pictures with it in various conditions of light, weather and situations. It's an EXCELLENT camera!
The ability to switch to full manual mode for exposure/aperture control is what I tend to...

Pros: Easy to use, great new tech
Cons: has some repair issues, Depth-of-Field preview is a little hard to use.

A couple of years ago I was in the market for a new camera. I had used a manual Pentax K1000 for a couple years, but started to do more shooting for the studio I work for and having a manual camera started getting a little impractical. One of my...

Pros: Easy to use, excellent photos, lots of options and functions
Cons: Bulkier to carry around than just a plain point and shoot

Being photographically-challenged, I've always had the point and shoot variety of 35 mm cameras. And basically, I was pleased with the outcomes, thinking I had just found a good developer. All that changed the day I met a new friend who had this...

Pros: best camera in the price
Cons: battery may lossen, kit lens is rather cheap

I bought the ElanIIe a few weeks ago, & I have been shooting several rolls of film tesiting the camera in various conditions. For the money, this is the best camera I have ever owned.. It does everything for you, & gives you alot of lattitude if...

Pros: Everything! Design. Duribility. Function. Cost. A very, very good deal.
Cons: Ummmmmmmmm......

I've seen a lot of trends in photography. High quality digital, low quality digital, film-to-digital conversion...
It is all very much over-rated. Unless you spend thousands of dollars, you are not going to get the quality you would get with a...

Pros: Easy to use, Instruction manual easy to follow
Cons: Remote switch, Battery contacts

I started out with a Canon Sure Shot back in the early 1990's which I enjoyed immensely. The pictures I took impressed my friends to the point of them telling me to go into photography and "do something with it."

My point to this...

Pros: excellent camera
Cons: takes time to master features

I wanted a camera with autofocus and all the modern features that my old Nikon lacked. I did a lot of research and settled on the Canon. I've had it for almost two years now and I love it! I know my photography has improved because the camera makes it...

Pros: So easy to use, yet so many features to grow with you as you learn!
Cons: None, yet, that I know of

I have wanted an SLR camera for the longest time. I don't know the slightest about photography, but I wanted something to take better pictures than the point and shoot I already owned.

Since I had no practical knowledge to go by, the decision...

Pros: This is an excellent camera with many useful features and a reasonable price.
Cons: film advance is a little slower than I had wished, at night, lcd is dim.

I have been using this camera now for about 7-8 months and I have been very satisfied with it. It has proven itself to be rugged thanks to a fall with it while snowboarding. It seems to take excellent pictures, I am very pleased with their quality. The...

Pros: It is very versatile
Cons: a little costly

I worked at Olan Mills for a while and became very picky about the quality of photographs. I really no longer liked the camera I had. I found this one in a pawn shop. Believe it or not, I only paid $150.00 for it and two lens.

This...

Pros: feature rich, eye focus
Cons: price

I did a lot of investigation before deciding which camera to buy. I read up all brands and models. What really caught my eye was the eye-focus feature. The camera can calibrate to your individual eye movement and decide what it should focus on. I...

Pros: ease, comfort, dependability and great quality.
Cons: none that I have found

I have spent the last 11 months searching and researching for a camera to buy. After talking with over 30 photographers and explaining my desires as to what type of quality I was looking for and how much of an amature I was and am in the photography...

Pros: quick, silent focus, Eye Focus, DOF preview
Cons: no spot meter but not really needed..none

I have been looking for a new camera for over a year and have finally found the best deal around..PERIOD!! I have only had the camera for two weeks but can tell you it was a tough decision between this camera and the Nikon N-80...If you hold both in your...

Pros: Eye controlled focus and depth of field preview, lightweight
Cons: Cost (though a good deal for the money)

I love this camera, and plan to buy another one, which is why I found this site in the first place. (I just ruined my Elan, when my camera bag zipper was not closed properly (it's finicky) and the camera came crashing down onto the concrete.) Anyway,...

Pros: can do everything a more expensive camera can, canon quality
Cons: nothing substantial

I have had my Elan IIE for... six years now. The only "problem" I've ever had with it is that there is some dust/debris inside the viewfinder. I'm not sure how it got there, but I've been told the camera has to be taken apart more than I'd like for it to ...

Pros: Reliable, doesn't have plastic feel & look, eye focus and depth of field preview
Cons: price

I bought this camera as I was thoroughly impressed with the eye focus model. This really helps in sport/action photography. Also it really helps in candid situations where the subject especially pets and kids, who move around a lot. I also like the fact...

Pros: Durable and easy great pics
Cons: frames per sec

I have used this camera professionally for 3 years now. Its been dropped banged and kicked and it still shoots like its $1500 dollar cousins.

This camera will let the newbie take proffessional pictures and make the pro users life even easier....

Pros: Ease of use, features, price
Cons: none

I have had this camera for about 1 year and have never regretted the
purchase. It couples ease of use with pro like features. My first roll
of film was taken with the camera in full auto mode and with about half
the pictures taken with...

Pros: Pictures turn out great.
Cons: May be a little confusing to learn at first.

If it the perfect summer vacation and you don't want to miss out on getting pictures then you will like the camera. I was a yearbook photographer and we used this camera. I learned how to use it and the way that i took pictures changed. You can learn how...

Pros: Fast and Lite
Cons: None

What a camera! I have have enjoyed this camera as much as any I have ever owned. It is fast, lite, and very simple to use.
Even the built-in flash works wonders. I have used the camera in some very extreme circumstances where it came through for me...

Pros: Flexibility, ease of use, large selection of lenses/flashes.
Cons: None

After a month of research, soul searching and shopping I found the Canon II. Canon has a IIE which will focus on the photographers eye. This is a nice feature but not really necessary unless you are into sports or other fast focus photography. The...

Pros: Easy to use from beginner to advanced - Automatic Flash
Cons: A little pricey if you don't want all the features-bigger than the lesser priced models

The Canon Elan IIe combines form and function. The ease of a point and shoot with all to bells and whistles to a fully manual camera for the professional.

I first tried the Rebel 2000, it was a great camera with great results, my wife loved...

Pros: Eye control, camera shape & ease of use.
Cons: Its not digital with eye control which doesn't exist yet if ever because of LCD

I paid full price for mine when I purchased mine new.
The eye control is awesome & impressive.
I enjoy the camera enough that I purchased a "new" Elan2e from an auction for $54.00
The seller claimed had taken 1 roll of film then jumped right into digital world.

I got this camera 1 year ago and i have taken many rolls of film with it. I love the handle and the easyness of the shutter button.

i purchased mine when it first came out, and i was getting a few very minor photo jobs. overall, it's a great camera. i use it as my primary camera. i am starting to shoot baseball of high school, college, and minor league games. the one thing i wish it had is the capabilities to shoot a higher fps, like the eos 1 & 3 (which one will soon be my next purchase). other than that - it's a camera that i will keep, and soon it will be my "second."

I got this camera 1 year ago and i have taken many rolls of film with it. I love the handle and the easyness of the shutter button.

I would recommend this camera to anyone interested in taking good pictures, either professionally or for leisure. It has the rare combination of ease of use in high end peice of equiptment. This camera is like no other I have owned, and will likely remain that way. I have always liked Canon products and have always placed my faith and my photos in Canon's excellence.Again, my photo experiences are for the most part outdoors, and this lightweight and easy to use camera is just what the doctor ordered. It is quite for close-ups of wildlife, yet it's compactness does not compromise it's excellence.

i purchased mine when it first came out, and i was getting a few very minor photo jobs. overall, it's a great camera. i use it as my primary camera. i am starting to shoot baseball of high school, college, and minor league games. the one thing i wish it had is the capabilities to shoot a higher fps, like the eos 1 & 3 (which one will soon be my next purchase). other than that - it's a camera that i will keep, and soon it will be my "second."

i purchased mine when it first came out, and i was getting a few very minor photo jobs. overall, it's a great camera. i use it as my primary camera. i am starting to shoot baseball of high school, college, and minor league games. the one thing i wish it had is the capabilities to shoot a higher fps, like the eos 1 & 3 (which one will soon be my next purchase). other than that - it's a camera that i will keep, and soon it will be my "second."

I got this camera 1 year ago and i have taken many rolls of film with it. I love the handle and the easyness of the shutter button.