Last Updated on 08/25/2022 by Chris Gampat
If you’re a Canon EOS photographer then you’ve probably considered getting a Canon film body to use with your lenses at one point or another–and the Canon EOS Elan 7 was bound to come up in your choices of available cameras. For years, I’ve been using my Elan 7 as a backup body to my 5D Mk II and my 6D. Crazily enough, I’m also not alone–I know a number of photographers that do the same thing. These photographers shoot film at times and photograph subject matter ranging from portraits to campaigns on the American political trail.
If you’re a Canon EOS Lens mount owner, the Elan 7 will make a lot of sense to you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reliable
- Pretty simple to use
- Affordable
- Works with most flash systems (the exception being Phottix’s radios)
Cons
- Considering that this camera can be had at such a fantastic, low price there is nothing to complain about.
Gear Used
The Canon EOS Elan 7 has been used over time with Sigma lenses, Adorama flashes, and various types of film.
Tech Specs
CNET has a solid, long list of specs from way back in the day; and if you’re really curious you can check that out.
GENERAL
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Camera TypeSLR camera
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ManufacturerCanon
CAMERA FLASH
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Typepop-up flash
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Guide Number (m / ISO 100)13
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Lens Coverage28mm
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Color Temperaturedaylight
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Zoomautomatic
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Red Eye ReductionYes
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FeaturesAF illuminator, flash +/- compensation, flash exposure bracketing
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Shooting Range3.3 ft – 17 ft : ISO 100
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Power ConsumptionRecycling time – 2 sec
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Flash Modesauto mode, backlight mode, fill-in mode, flash OFF mode, night mode, red-eye reduction
CARRYING CASE
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Typenone
LENS SYSTEM
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Focal Length28 mm – 90 mm
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Optical Zoom3.2 x
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Lens Aperturef/4.0-5.6
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Min Focal Length28 mm
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Max Focal Length90 mm
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Form Factordetachable
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Min Focus Distance15 in
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Focus Adjustmentautomatic, manual
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Max View Angle75 degrees
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Group Qty8
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Element Qty10
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Filter Size58 mm
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FeaturesUltrasonic Motor (USM), aspherical lens
MISCELLANEOUS
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Included Camera Accessoriesbody cap, lens cap, strap
POWER
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Batteries Included2
VIEWFINDER
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Viewfinder InformationAE lock, AF-in-focus, aperture, exposure compensation, flash charge completion, red-eye reduction , shutter speed
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Focusing ScreenLaser matte
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Field Coverage90 x 92%
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Viewfinder FramesAutofocus frame
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TypeFixed eye-level pentaprism
CAMERA
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Exposure Range1/4000 sec – 30 sec
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Exposure Range DetailsEV 1-20 ( ISO 100 )
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TypeSLR camera
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Camera Format35mm
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Min Exposure1/4000 sec
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Max Exposure30 sec
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Exposure ModesA-TTL program flash, E-TTL program flash, TTL program flash, aperture-priority, automatic, bulb, depth-of-field, manual, program, shutter-priority
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Shutter Controlelectronic
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Timer Functionsself timer
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Self Timer Delay10 sec
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Shooting Modesclose-up, full auto, landscape, night, portrait, sports
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Exposure Meteringcenter-weighted, evaluative, partial (10%)
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Exposure Metering Zones35
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Exposure Compensation±2 EV range, in 1/2 EV steps
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Auto Exposure Bracketing3 steps in 1/2 EV step
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Multi-Exposure9 exposures per frame
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Auto FocusTTL phase detection
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Auto Focus Modesautomatic, continuous, single-shot
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Auto Focus Points (Zones)7
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Auto Focus Working RangeEV 1-18
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X-sync Speed1/125 sec
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Remote ControlOptional
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Film Speed RangeISO 6 – 6400
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Film Advanceautomatic
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Continuous Shooting Speed4 frames per second
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Status LCD Display Informationaperture, autofocus mode, self-timer mode, shutter speed, battery condition, exposure compensation, film speed, flash mode, frame counter, metering mode, program, red-eye reduction
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Flash Terminalhot shoe
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Features2-speed rewind, autoexposure lock, autofocus lock, bulb, depth-of-field preview button, mirror lock
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Lens MountingCanon EF
BATTERY
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Required Qty2
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Form FactorCR123A
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Technologylithium
HEADER
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BrandCanon
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Product LineCanon EOS
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ModelELAN 7
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Packaged Quantity1
CE SYSTEM
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Remote Controloptional
LENS SYSTEM MOUNTING
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Mounting TypeCanon EF
EXPOSURE RANGE
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Light Metering RangeEV 1-20
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SensitivityISO 100
CAMERA FLASH DETAILS
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Recycling Time2 sec
OPTICAL VIEWFINDER
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Typefixed eye-level pentaprism
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Field Coverage90 x 92%
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Magnification0.70x
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Dioptric Correction Range-2.5 to +0.5
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Viewfinder Framesautofocus frame
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Focusing Screenlaser matte
TRIPOD
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Typenone
FLASH RANGE DETAILS
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Min Shooting Distance3.3 ft
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Max Shooting Distance17 ft
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SensitivityISO 100
GENERAL
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ManufacturerCanon
Ergonomics
When you look at the Canon EOS Elan 7 SLR, you’ll obviously see just how much simpler it is in design than the company’s digital bodies. The front of the camera has very few controls: depth of field preview and lens release truly being the most of it.
When you look at the top of the camera, what you’ll find are loads of other cool things: a mode dial that also controls whether or not the camera is on (one of two), dive dial, LCD screen, exposure dial, hot shoe, and shutter button. You’ll spend lots of time looking at this area.
Move to the back, and you obviously don’t see an LCD screen. Instead, you’ll find buttons like function, another on/off dial and the directional pad inside the aperture wheel. The back on/off switch activates the Aperture dial.
Build Quality
This camera isn’t the 1V at all, so don’t expect any sort of weather sealing. Instead, think of this as being comparable to something above the Rebel series but below the 00D lineup of cameras. At the same time though, give it all the functionalities that a pro photographer could really want: seven autofocus points (great for portraits) and all the barebones essentials that a camera needs for you to take a picture. Then throw away all those other bells and whistles.
Canon should really make another camera like this. The higher Rebel cameras sort of remind me of the Elan 7, but this camera takes 35mm film. A full frame Rebel would be a beautiful thing.
Ease of Use
When you’re shooting as you normally would, what you’ll find on the LCD screen is all sorts of information; but nothing majorly overwhelming.
Remember: this is film. You can’t change the white balance of daylight or tungsten film. Instead you’ll need to use filters and gels.
Pressing the function button on the back of the camera gives you a whole new set of variables that help you control the camera better. You can manipulate these variables using the dials.
Autofocus
The Canon EOS Elan 7 has seven autofocus points. My version of the camera has them not being so bright overall–so you’ll really need to look for them when you select one or the other. Generally speaking, I’ve never had a problem with the center focusing point. Using the others gave me some pause though.
This is really tough when it comes to portraits as I often need to decide if I’m going to focus and recompose or just shoot with the focusing point. It often comes down to how much light is in the scene and just how contasty the area I want to focus on is.
Image Samples
Agfa APX 400
Kono 400 film
Natura 1600
CineStill 800T
Conclusions
The Canon EOS Elan 7 is a pretty awesome camera overall. I wouldn’t call it a workhorse, but it’s what I’ve been using for a few years now. You can do so much with it, and most of all you can really just sit there and focus on the picture taking process.
It’s an incredible camera, and I strongly recommend that you check out Amazon for one. Please do note that this one doesn’t have eye focus control.