Hello everybody. I'm just about to buy a new camera, but I just can't decide between an Elan 7e and an EOS A2e. I've been analizing its features and there are some I don't know what do the mean, anybody who can give me a hand ???

What is "AE Lock" and "FE Lock" ???

And regarding Auto-Focus sensitivity....what is "EV 0 - 18" and "EV 1 - 18" ???

Thank you.....

-- Diego Garcia (samsagaz07@hotmail.com), April 26, 2001

Answers

I would stay away from the A2e. It is really old technology whereas the 7e is brand new. Even newer and faster in some ways than the pro body EOS-3. Unless you really want an A2e. They are dirt cheap now that the 7 is out.

AE lock is auto exposure lock. When you activate the button, the meter locks on whichever focus point it is pointed at. You use it when you find something that is white in the viewfinder and then lock AE lock it, then dial in +2 exposure compensation. That would give you near perfect exposure.

FE lock is the flash equivalent of AE lock. Same thing but for flash.

EV is Ellis Vener. Sorry. Couldn't resist. Hopefully someone gets that. It's and old joke from photo.net. Seriously, EV is a number that is another way of saying 1/15th and f/1.8. Or 1/500th and f/5.6. Those would be two different EV numbers, btw. It also depends on film speed. The lower the number, the darker the scene you're metering. If you look at a 7e manual, it should have an EV table in there. You can see what EV means easier than I can explain it. How it relates to AF performance is that the more sensitive the AF system, it will properly focus in a low EV situation. It's also dependant on fast lenses. f/2.8 and faster. I'm pretty sure the AF EV ratings are with a f/1.4 lens.

-- Colin Miller (ckmiller@pond.net), April 26, 2001.

Some people will give Colin Miller an argument about not getting the A2e. In many respects it is a better camera. It's heavier & feels more robust. It's motor is a bit faster. It was designed for the Advanced amature/semi-pro/professional. Were the Elan 7e is designed for the amature/advanced amature. The A2e has a better vertical grip that comes with an extra main dial, but no AA battery pack. It also has a real spot meter and a near infrared AF assist light. It also has a command dial that is prone to early retirement.

The Elan 7e has better eye control, better flash metering, faster AF, but AF that is not as sensitive in low light. And the AF assist is the lousy flickering flash type. Very anoying.

Along with Colin, I prefer the Elan 7.

Colin is correct; AEL = Auto Exposure Lock, FEL = Flash Exposure Lock, EV = Ellis Vener - No. Strike that. Exposure Value.

EV 1-18 = Dark to very bright, EV 0-18 = Very dark to very light.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), April 26, 2001.

I'd go for the 7 as well. Unless you need a really advanced camera, the only thing I have seen that is a problem with it is the stupid new AF assist light - it uses the built in flash. Lots of people complain that it doesn't have spot metering, but as I usually point out, I used an AE1 with nothing but center weighted metering with success for a decade before I bought an Elan IIe. If you need the really advanced features that are available, you need to look at an EOS 3 or 1V. If you are just a hobbyist, the Elan 7 will probably do more than you will ever use. The advanced flash metering (E-TTL) and the features that are part of it like FE Lock are reason enough for me to say avoid the A2E, since it is the only EOS left that can't use E-TTL. Be sure to get some good lenses if you don't already own an EOS system, and a good Canon EX series flash and a tripod would be a good idea as well.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 27, 2001.

As an EOS 5 owner, I am happy with the bodies. Even with a recent Command dial failure. I usd the Elan and did not like it at first use, but any camera I own I will make mine and not the model. Thus, anything you get you should learn to use to your benefit; model is not an issue here.

-- Chris Gillis (chris@photogenica.net), April 27, 2001.

I own both cameras and like them both for different reasons. The Elan 7E is very small and light and I drag it along whenever I bike or need to travel light. I love the cute little thing but I tend not to use it for serious photography. For that, I whip out my EOS 3 and A2.

The features of the EOS 5/A2E/A2 are designed for the serious photographer. As mentioned above, it has a true spot meter and better low light AF and exposure sensitivity. However, one look through the viewfinder of the A2 and you'll know why it's been around so long: big, bright and contrasty. I can see the glory of my compositions much better than in the Elan 7. The Elan 7 viewfinder is small and somewhat dimmer. I use a grid screen to aid in composition in my A2. I really miss it when I use the Elan 7 as it doesn't allow interchangeable screens.

Moreover, heavy glass balances much better on the A2 (I use the vertical grip extensions on both cameras). Even my 28-135 IS feels front heavy on the Elan 7. I can hold the A2 more steady due to its larger mass and size. The tiny Elan seems to "bob" around more.

I don't use much flash but I agree that the E-TTL of the Elan 7 is a little better than the A-TTL of the A2, but I normally have good results with my 430ez when used for fill. The Elan's build in flash is only TTL so you'll need an external unit (420ex or 550ex) to actually use the advanced E-TTL abilities.

However, they're both darn good cameras in their own ways and you can't go wrong with either one.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), April 27, 2001.

Thanks for the responses, I was in a little doubt but now I'm sure. I'm going with the Elan 7e. I got a real good price for body and lens, and it is a little over my budget, but that won't be a problem. Thanks all...

-- Diego Garcia (samsagaz07@hotmail.com), April 30, 2001.