Summary: film isnt dead

Comment: For amateur photographers looking for a great SLR, I can't recommend this camera enough. It offers the user fully automatic or fully manual operation or as much help as you need with aperture and shutter speed priority modes as well as some custom modes for sports, portraits, landscapes, etc. There are three metering modes depending on the lighting although none of these is true spot metering.

The autofocus on this camera is excellent and seems to be faster and more reliable than my canon eos 3, perhaps because of the infrared focus assist light. This camera also includes electronic gaze selected focus points which seems to work quite well on this camera for me.

There are a number of custom functions, which occasionally come in handy like the depth of field preview and mirror lock-up. There is a hot shoe on top as well as a built in pop-up flash which I rarely use but occasionally comes in handy.

The body is very sturdy and feels stable in ones hand, and of course, the back and right front mode selection wheels are a canon trademark which I happen to like very much.

In summary, and in my humble opinion, this is a really top notch SLR and can be found for rock bottom prices right now on the used market. Before DSLRs took off, this camera body was used by many pros as a backup.

Summary: Great for those who still want to shoot some film from time to time!

Comment: After shooting digital for a few years, I started to realize just how much I miss slides. Let's face it. Looking at shots on a computer monitor just does not compare to an almost life-sized image on the wall. Plus, although digital captures fine detail REALLY well, I still like the colors that only good slide film can give you. So I figured I would buy a good film body - one that can use the same collection of EF lenses that I already have for my digital. I wanted something more upscale than a Rebel. SO I figured I would pick up one of the many Elan bodies that SO many people are practically giving away in these days of digital. And I can honestly say that I am NOT disappointed. The controls are VERY intuitive - at least if you are already used to using a Canon DSLR. And virtually EVERY shot I have taken with this camera has come out at least decent. I would DEFINITELY say that this camera has it all over my Rebel XT when it comes to both exposure and autofocus accuracy. So if you still want to shoot some film, why not get an Elan IIe? As I said before, people are practically giving these things away these days. You can find bodies all day long for less than $100.

Summary: excellent camera

Comment: I've owned my Elan IIe for about 4 years, and love it. Although it's been upgraded to the Elan 7e, I see no need. The IIe has such distinct features and ease of use, I haven't used another camera that compares. Excellent construction, and very durable.

Summary: Nice camera, good system

Comment: The Elan II benefits from Canon's EOS system's advantages, like great lenses and speedlites. I've been using this camera to photograph from wildlife (mainly macro) to rock concerts (28-105 sigma lenses) and have been pleased to find that this camera really meets my needs. It's fast, reliable and obbeys your commands, even if you tell them with your eyes! :)
It's a good buy and can be used by pros and amateurs.

Summary: great quirky confusing

Comment: I've been taking 35mm pictures for 35 years, and this is my favorite camera so far. I shot a couple of hundred rolls of film with this and it really feels like an extension of my vision. The light metering is sophisticated and usually does a great job even in tricky situations, the optical quality of the 28-105 Canon lens is stunning, and the frame is sturdy and durable. What's not to like?

Well, there's the manual to begin with. There is no way you can access and understand all of the features that this camera has (and there are a LOT of features) by reading the manual. They just do a poor job of explaining, for example, the three metering modes and the three autofocus modes. I've had mixed sucess with the eye-controlled autofocus and find it a distraction now, and poor luck with the depth of field mode (if I could only get eye-controlled depth of field to work reliably). Depth of field preview? Pretty basic, my 35 year old SLR had it, the IIe's is not very functional. And for all the ballyhoo about the autofocus modes, the predictive focus mode hunts around so much that your subject will be long gone before the camera locks on to it (just try taking pictures of a puppy).

Comparing this camera to the Rebel, I would wish for a combination of the two: I would like the light weight and functionality of the Rebel with the sturdyness and some of the flexability of the IIe. For a beginner, stick with the Rebel and a good lens (NOT the 28-80), you'll be much happier. As for me, I should be hunting up one of those MagicLantern manuals for the IIe and practicing with the eye-controlled autofocus.

I would rate this camera 5 stars for what it can do, but decided on 3 stars based on what it should do and doesn't or says it can do but doesn't do very well.