I am thinking of buying the A2 as a compantoin to my elan 11e. Canon dicontinued the A2. but I have found one mail order.My problem is that I cannot find a current model for a hands on. Does the active focusing point flash when it achives focus in one shot mode? When it is in full manual mode does it have a compensation scale +/-2 stops or arrows <+/-> no scale. What do you think of the auto focus speed as compared to the elan 11e? One more, I have a 300 F/4 /L/I.S how do you think this lens will work with A2 will it be a good match A/F and I/S wise? I hope that I can get hands on answers. Thanks.

-- Brian Reynolds (cwesbroo@iu.edu), April 05, 2002

Answers

It does give a quick flash, what Canon calls "lights up," I think. There is a scale on the EOS 5 that shows half stops over and under for 1.5 stops or so. The A2 and A2E just have a plus of minus indicator. The AF speed is fine in all but the most punishing conditions (low, low low light and fast mation at the same time). The EOS 5 is what you want.

That said, I would consider the Elan 7 or the Eos 3. The only minus for my mind with the 7 is the dimmer viewfinder, but I have yet to look at one. The problem with the EOS 5 is the command dial will break. It may not be inthe first year, but it will eventiually. Some have said that the dial has not broke on theirs, but they have yet to have it break. Mine have broke but it was not big deal, just 120 to fix. Add that to the price of the camera and consider the 7 or the 3.

-- Chris Gillis (chris@photogenica.net), April 05, 2002.

I agree with Chris, the EOS 5 (interenational designation) is a better camera than the A2e, since it has the manual exposure scale instead of the +/- indicators.

As you probably know, the A2 does not have eye control but the A2e does, but only when holding the camera in landscape orientation.

The AF start speed of the 5/A2/A2e is not quite as fast as the 50e/Elan IIe, but the difference isn't very noticeable. Also, the eye control on the 50e/Elan IIe is a bit faster, and seems to be more reliable in operation than the 5/A2e. But these are all minor differences.

The 5/A2/A2e has a problem with IS lenses when used in conjunction with Custom Function #4. The camera won't power the IS unless you keep your finger on AE Lock button. In practice, this defeats the idea of using CF#4. If you never use CF#4 with your Elan IIe, this isn't much of a problem, but if you do....

I also agree with Chris that you should consider the EOS 3 as a better companion to the Elan IIe.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), April 06, 2002.

I owned an EOS 5 from september 1996 until this february. The camera served me well, and the command dial never broke (despite the camera being second hand when I bought it, so it was a fairly early example). I think command dial problems either affect later production versions or are due to people using it in the wrong way (I had more problems with the command dial on my EOS 1000FN).

I now use an EOS 3, and would recommend also that you look at the EOS 3 or EOS 30 (elan 7e).

I use a 300 F4L IS also, and it works fine on the EOS 5, but the increase in AF speed realised by switching to the EOS 3 is incredible, in addition to that combo allowing you high-precision focus (which the EOS 5 is not capable of). The 1.4X TC slows down AF, but the AF speed of EOS 3 + 1.4X TC + 300 F4L IS is about the same as the EOS 5 + 300 F4L IS without the converter. When the EOS 3 is used without the TC, it is faster still.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), April 06, 2002.

The A2 is a bargain right now. It's an excellent camera and will serve you well. The Command Dial does break but it can be repaired and usually doesn't break again. The EOS 3 replaced it as second in the EOS line but that camera is twice or more the price of the A2. I've been using a pair of A2E's for three years and, other than the Command Dials, they've been totally reliable. I'll likely add an EOS 3 sometime this year but I will keep the A2E's for their dependability.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), April 06, 2002.

I solved my problem,I got a eos3.It's great!! a little loud but I was warned about that.Thanks for your imput it helped me make the right move.It cost more but worth it.

-- Brian Reynolds (cwesbroo@iu.edu), April 07, 2002.

Clarification needed: Is there an analog meter in the viewfinder that indicates exposure compensation in 1/2 step increments - OR - only a +/- indicator?

Thanks.

-- Chris Clauson (chris.clauson@intel.com), May 10, 2002.

>Is there an analog meter in the viewfinder that indicates exposure compensation in 1/2 step increments - OR - only a +/- indicator?

This is answered in the first response to the original question. The A2/A2E have the annoying +/- indicator. The EOS 5 (and 3) have the simulated matchneedle display. The A2/A2E was sold in North America and the EOS 5 elsewhere.

The exception is if you've taken your A2/A2E to be reprogrammed by a repair facility. It's possible to load the EOS 5 ROM into it, which gives you the simulated matchneedle display.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 10, 2002.