eos 5 vs eos 30

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Could anyone help i'm looking for a semi pro camera preferably a canon as my wife has a 500n so we can share lenses.I've short listed two models the eos 5 and eos 30 both very capable bits of kit I like the feel of the eos 5 but the eos 30 is newer?????help thanks.

-- john stott (jstott65@another.com), August 04, 2001

Answers

This has been discussed over & over on the web, but here goes my opinion.

The 5/A2/A2e is older and built more robustly, but it has a problem with frequent Command Dial failure ($100-150 repair). It has a true spot meter, although it is a bit fat at 3.5% of the image area. It has a better vertical grip option with more controls in it and has a near IR AF assist light built in.

The 30/Elan7e is newer and has a better flash metering system with a lot more options built into the flash system (high speed sync, flash exposure lock, wireless remote, etc.). Many people complain about the 5's flash system until they understand it well. It has a very fat (10%) partial meter instead of a real spot meter. The 30 has a considerably faster AF system and the eye control is much better, but it doesn't AF as well in low light and it uses it's built in flash as an AF assist light (bad idea). If you get a 30, you will definitly want/need a Canon EX series Speedlite to go with it.

The 5 was a great camera in it's day and is still preferred by many, but it's time is passing. To some that means, get one now while they're still available. I'd prefer the 30.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), August 04, 2001.


I would take issue with "the EOS 5 is built more robustly". The EOS 5 is terribly built, and I have always been impressed with the EOS 50es that a couple of my friends have, as they felt so much more solid. As the EOS 30 replaces the 50e, it should be no worse.

There is little the EOS 5 has to offer over the 30: Faster top shutter (1/8000 as opposed to 1/4000). I don't think I've ever been over 1/4000 on my EOS 5, so not a big deal. Zoom internal flash. This is the best internal flash, but that's not to say it's brilliant. Higher flash sync: The EOS 30 has a lower X sync (1/125 rather than 1/200), but the 30 can do FP sync up to 1/4000 with EX series flashes. Faster motordrive: Do you need 5 fps, over 3(ish)?

EOS 30 has much to offer over the 5: 35 zone metering 7 point AF Faster ECF that works in the vertical better build Lighter weight AA battery pack E-TTL flash and FP sync. Compatability with IS when using TCs

If I was buying now, and it came to the choice of EOS 30 or EOS 5, the 30 would win hands down. The EOS 5 is 9 years old, and it is beginning to show. The ECF on it is so slow as to be useless. If there was to be an EOS 5N, that might be a good choice, but right now, the 30 is the clear choice.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), August 05, 2001.


My opinion is likely biased, since I have an Elan 7E, which is not a "semi-pro" camera.

Have you pondered the following "features" on the EOS 5?

Cheers

-- Julian Loke (jul.loke@home.com), August 05, 2001.

Have you pondered the following "features" on the EOS 30/Elan 7?

Battery door is a plastic strip and eventually breaks Missing AF assist light No spot meter 82% coverage viewfinder Flash sync of only 1/125 sec Noninterchangeable focusing screens

On the other hand, the EOS 5 has a robust battery door, a spot meter, a near infrared AF assist light, interchangeable focusing screens (I like the grid screen), a bigger and brighter viewfinder, flash sync of 1/200 sec., terminal for studio flash, the vertical grip has a duplicate main input dial (the Elan 7's grip lacks this), etc.

Perhaps I'm biased as I own both cameras and find them equally good but different. I use the EOS 5 for serious outdoor photography and the EOS 30 is my travel and biking camera. ECF I find to be useless on both of them. In fact, I like using only the center cross sensor as it nails AF every time. The other sensors aren't as reliable. I've heard that the Elan 7's AF is faster in good light. However, I can't tell the difference between the two. They both are fast. On the other hand, the EOS 5/A2 is much better at AF in low light. The Elan's AF progressively degrades as light levels drop. Both exposure meters seem to be equally accurate when exposing chromes. So I don't think having more meter zones matters much, especially if you shoot negs.

Well, all things considered, they're both great cameras for an amateur, but if I could only have one, I'd reach for the EOS 5.

-- Puppy Face (duppyface@aol.com), August 08, 2001.


To add a few comments: I don't think that any of the EOS-bodies is terribly built. It's only the outside we're looking at. IMO both polycarbonate and metals have their pros and cons. I think we can safely assume that both cameras are built to the normal industry standards, of course for the EOS-5 these are 1992 standards.

The choice between 5 and 30 is personal. I own (and use) both bodies, I have no clear preference for one or the other. One thing to add to the above mentioned comments that is not listed yet: It's mucht easier and faster to change some settings on the EOS-30 because of the dedicated knobs, for instance for focus method and single/continuous mode. This can be important when there is little time to make these adjustments. BTW, ECF works for me on both bodies (EOS-5 only horizontally) even though I wear glasses.

I don't think you can go wrong with either of these cameras. IMO the choice of the proper lenses is more important.

-- Jos van Eekelen (jos@compuserve.com), August 13, 2001.



Thanks fellas its good to read hands on opinions. Having handled both cameras the eos 30 has that 'feels right'factor...... Ive also decided to go for the 28-135mmIS lens to go with it as a good all rounder.

Once again thanks for all your help cheers John

-- john stott (jstott65@another.com), August 22, 2001.


Hi everybody,

I also own both the EOS 5 and the EOS 30. I can pretty much agree with everything said here.

My EOS 5 is 3 years old and was always treated with extreme care, especially regarding the command dial. A little while ago, despite the careful treatment, the command dial started to act "funny" and was almost broken. I sent it into Canon service and wrote a letter with it (expressing my dissapointment). They got the camera fixed and covered for about 50% of the repair cost, so it only cost me around $50 to get it fixed.

I really like the EOS 5, but now that this has happened to me, I sort of don't trsut it anymore and don't wnat to use it anymore. I bought the camera used (but only very very slightly), so I don't know if the previous owner "did" somethin to the command dial since I was always more than careful. I simply don't understand why Canon did not change the design and make the part which breaks out of a more durable material. This should be no problem with the high-tech plastic available today.

I got the EOS 30 mainly for its better flash features. Everything else including AF capabilities I feel the EOS 5 and the EOS 30 are quite close, each one having some weaknesses and advantages.

Still, the EOS 5 is a great body to buy at a reasonable price used now.

Just my $0.02

Roland

-- Roland Stauber (Roland.Stauber@freenet.de), August 26, 2001.


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