CANON EOS ELAN 7 (EOS 33) | My review of this great 35mm film camera from Canon 

Bought this camera in winter of 2000 from B&H in New York. I paid for it close to 800USD with lenses 28-80. Which was more than my 2 weeks salary back than.... I took it out from the drawer today after 15+ years. Fired up with no problems. Even batteries were still OK - credit to Energizer :) Just ordered Fuji Velvia 100 .... I am back.... Thank you for great review. I have so many memories with this camera..... unbelievable!!!!

After been shooting a 7NE for more than 15 years, I am absolutely convinced that want another 7 Body to keep my experience going and going. It's plenty of features, even when Canon decided spare some spends on plastic body instead of metal. But it does worth every penny, with that pleasant smooth sound. Minolta has its own competitor, the Alpha 7. sweet as my Elan...

For my Canon collection Eos 3 from 1998 paired with 28 -135 image stabilization lens(1998) which then was the world's first i.s. lens still working today for me along with my Canon 600mm f4 i.s. L lens(1998) in use on my 5dsr and the images are tack sharp. From the 70s I have A 1 and Ae1 program series camera bodies and fd lenses still working today. Canon quality lasts for decades.

First of all thanks for the great video and the equally great pictures. This only motivates me to get back into Film photography. The reason why I decided to watch this video, is because today I pulled out a suit-case out of the closet filled with 5 film cameras. Included in those cameras is the Canon Elan 7e and the EOS3. My first Canon camera was the Elan II. What attracted me to this camera was the Chrome facing . Back then(as today), almost all camera manufacturers had decided to go all Black. So I found this camera unique and amazing. Boy this camera did not dissapoint either. I must have shot over 300 rolls with this camera coupled with the fact that I was going to Photography school at the time. Then came Digital, so this camera went into a hot an humid closet where it virtually deteriorated and fell appart. it wasn't until years later that I decided to replace it with a Elan 7e. To me the 7e just felt more plasticky, plus it was much smaller(so I winded getting the battery pack for it). One of the reasons I purchased it and that you did not mention in the Video, is the sweet and quiet sounding shutter compared to the EOS3. The EOS3 had been my only film camera back then but I dreaded carrying to certain places because of it's size and the noise. I think I mentioned this before, but the shutter on the EOS3 is extremely LOUD. Much louder than even the shutter on the Elan II, much louder than on any camera for that matter. In any case, another great thing about the 7e is that its very light. I can attach one of my heavy 'L' series lenses and carry it all day long with no problems. The focusing is also extremly fast and quiet, much better than on the Elan II and is right up there with the EOS3 ! After watching this video this is the first time I noticed that it doesn't have spot metering. Oh well I hardly ever use that anyway... One thing that got me scratching my head and made me wish I would have waited and got the more expensive 7n, is the lack of an LCD light. Of course if shooting at night you can always carry a small flash-light in your pocket ?

Solid info on a couple of great cameras.

The battery grip makes it a beast - looking for one!! Awesome video homes :)

Thanks for this video. I do own the Elan7 for a couple of years (wich it is known as the Eos 30 here in europe.) an i had no complains ever. The autofocus works really fast and precise, and the shutter is amazingly quiet! The most parts are made of aluminum and plastic, but it does not feel cheap in any way. I like also the possibility to use third part lenses from Tamron or Sigma without any issues. The only negative thing is in my opinion the rubbery surface. It peels of after 20 years of use, and sticks on my hands like a black chewing gum. I cleaned the surface only with alcohol and the problem was gone :-) The BP-300 is useful for this camera, you can put 4 AA batterys OR 2 CR123 cells in it. I believe, you can fit the battery grip also on the 2E. Using the Elan 7 with the 50mm 1.8 STM, the Tamron 70-300 IS and the 22-55 USM. The Eye-controlled autofocus is nice to have..but not a must have..i didnt use it. I found it on ebay back then for about 60 Euros (~80$) and now it is around 120~150 Euros! So if anyone own Canon lenses and try to get into film photography, try out this camera, it will you not let you down. Best greeting from europe!

Really cool. Thanks for the Infos. I just bought one today. 😀

The battery grip for this camera can indeed take both AA and 123a. Inside the battery compartment, there is a flap that folds up allowing the use of 123a batteries.

I shoot with this camera and the Olympus IS-3, love them both!

I've had my 7e for about 15 years now and I love it. Just replaced the film door latch and put on the battery grip today. The Workhorse lives on. I've heard some photographers say that it's all in the lens. A film camera body just holds the film. In someway yes, but the camera body is more than that. The camera body contains the auto focus system and the metering system and the 7, 7e, 7n and 7ne have great auto focus and metering systems. The 7 series cameras have the look and feel of a digital. The first thing I did after taking a picture was lower the camera and look at the back, expecting to review the shot I just took. The good bad and the ugly. Well, lets start with the ugly. Getting used to the LCD for controlling the features after using a digital with a larger screen on the back could get ugly. Bad, why the 7n and 7ne didn't up the game with 45 focus points and a spot meter. Good, it's all good because with a decent scanner you can crank out some impressive megapixels. So, if you want to shoot film, this camera would be a great choice.

I have an EOS 3 and just recently got an EOS 100QD (Elan) and loving it's lightness and near silent shutter. A POV video of you using some of your favourite models would be great. Also, really interested to see which ones you decide to keep at the end. Thanks.

These pre-digital EOS cameras were an unknown subject to me until about a week ago. I suddenly thought that it would be good to use the nice set of Canon/Zeiss/Voigtlander EF-fit lenses I'd buying for my 5D/II for film sometimes, for a change of tack. So I spent a morning on Wikipedia/RU-vid looking through the options and bought an EOS 30 (Europe ) late that evening from EBay for £70. I got the camera today and it's near-mint and superb - SO much to like and fabulous build quality .

This was great. I bought this camera in 2001, and took it to East Africa and got some superb shots. I've dug it out of storage a couple of times. I've been thinking about using it again. The big problem is getting film and finding a place to develop it, or scan the film into digital.

This a great camera its one of my main cameras when I use my Canon set up for film and digital

This camera is trully great! I can compare it to eos 3 and eos 1v, and it is still best value for money easily and might be even best choice on the market for a first slr, seriously. It offers a lot for a moderate price. It is easy to operate even a beginner can just pick this up and shoot with it straight away. My fiancee simply uses it in a program mode (I told her "p" letter on a dial stands for professional, so she feels better about herself:)) and it is just so efortless for her just to make photographs and enjoy. If to couple this camerawith 40mm pancake lens you get a super light but a very reliable and advanced photographic tool. There is only one thing that bothers me is a battery compartment cover, it feels so flimsy as it is ready get broken any time you open it. It absolutely doesn't match the rest of a housing which as you have fairly mentioned is a good quality. So battery grip might be a good idea.

I have been looking some of your videos back to front and I have to say I am glad you sat down. Much more relaxed! Enjoying all the videos though (subscribed). If you are looking for some Canon cameras to review I would like to hear your thoughts on the EOS 300V / Rebel Ti and the T-60. The 300V feels ridiculously cheap and is very light, but performs great even with the standard 28-90mm f4-5.6 lens. The fully manual, Cosina made, T-60 is quite a different shooting experience all together.

For spot focusing, Turn off the focusing switch on the lens. The meter will work only the center focusing square in the viewfinder.

How low does it let you set the aperture for manual mode? I have a rebel 2000 and it only goes down to 4.0

This was fun to watch. I actually still have an Elan IIe QD, and an Elan 7e QD in outstanding shape. I'm the original owner of both. The IIe was my first real camera as a teen. Bought the 7e a year or two later but held onto the IIe to minimize lens swapping. I had just pulled them out the other day and threw batteries in them to see if they were still functioning ok. Both seem to be working flawlessly. Planning on running a few rolls through them in the near future for fun. Any specific films you recommend these days? I haven't bought any film in at least 15+ years, so my memory is pretty rusty. Anyway...thanks for the vid!

Great camera, picked one up about 15 years ago and took it out for a spin today. The battery grip is next.

Benefit of the 7 is that you have a wider array of third party lenses available. I traded my 2E for a 7 because I have a Tamron 35mm 1.8 that I want to use. The 2E gives an error message (blinking battery symbol) with the Tamron lens. And it doesn’t communicate aperture. So I shot 2 rolls wide open without knowing that. The rolls still came out well. Note: the autofocus does not work with either.

My last EOS film body before I went Digital in 2012 was an EOS 30 which is that camera in the UK. I loved that camera and only went digital due to braking the clip on the film door, on the back. I now shoot with a full frame DSLR (EOS 6D mk2) which I really like but wanted to shoot some film again. I looked for an old EOS 30 but all the ones online were quite scruffy and dirty. I eventually found a mint condition EOS 5 which is great and have just bought what looks to be a great condition EOS 3 body which I'm excited to get!

Thanks for another excellent review. I have a 7n which I have been very happy with. I'm interested to see how you think that compares to the original if you get a chance.

How do utilize the Back Button Autofocus? For instance, what Custom Function no. is it? I'm sorry, I just got one and I don't have the manual available with me.

I've been interested in getting this camera for a while so I just ordered this camera in mint condition with battery grip and date back. I'm paying $150 for it. I think I will probably keep B&W film in it and color in my EOS 3.

just keep all of you're Cameras, I just purchased ELAN 7e :)

Very nice!! CAn you adapt old Canon lenses on this? Does it have a bulb mode?

Hi Craig, I've owned my Elan IIe (50e) for a couple of months now, just ordered some Iford B/W film for it. However, I'm feeling really anxious about loading up and shooting, and I don't know why I'm feeling this anxiety.... Maybe digital nerves getting hold of me, I've not shot film in 15 years. Gulp... Anyway, love this video, and I'm looking to add the all black Elan 7 to my collection. Many thanks.

OOPS! I meant spot metering not spot focusing.

I always enjoy watching your video because you always tell a good story and I can feel your passion. I do have a couple of different views though. I don’t think the 1/4000 s max shutter speed is a week point of this camera. Elan 7 is a mid-range product and should not be compared with EOS 3 or 1V. Rather, it should be compared with similar level cameras such as Nikon N80 whose max shutter speed is also 1/4000. On the other hand, if we compare Elan 7 with Canon Rebel series, should we say Elan 7’s 1/4000 s max shutter speed is a pro? I also want to point out the construction issue: the flimsy back door latch and battery door hinge. There are lots of complaints online. I don’t know why Canon does not pay attention to this, because Canon’s A series, T series, and almost all low to mid-range EOS series seem to have flimsy battery door issues.

I just got an EOS 33, my battery grip powers the camera but my vertical shooting button doesn't seem to work on the grip. Even when I have it turned on. I did buy them separately. Do you know if there might be a specific way to activate the battery grip vertical shooting on the camera?

I just bought this one. What 50mm sigma lens would fit, if you know? Thanks and thanks for the review

I have this camera but I really want the EOS 1V.

I did it. I finally gave up film for digital. Yes I know Im one of the last hold outs but the camera that got me into photography was the Elan IIe and then I thought the 7 focal points of the Elan 7e was the best thing ever! I'll get to the point, I recently picked up photography again and started where I left off a gently used 7e! my dream camera in 2011! Well that same year Canon released the 7d, I got into digital with what I knew best and the EOS 7 line was my go to. Question, do you have a review of the 7d? The camera functions were just simular enough that the change from 35mm to digital was almost pianless lol almost, so far my 7d is neck and neck with my 7e.

Do you, or anyone else, have any issues with the battery life? Picked up my Elan 7 about a week ago, got brand new batteries, and it’s showing they’re almost dead already after 15 shots. I’m turning it off every time but the LCD screen stays on showing with frame it’s at. Help! I can’t find anything online about it

My Elan 7 only goes up to 1994 on the data back. Is there any way I can reprogram it to permit 2022?

I noticed the camera I received just says EOS 7. What is the difference between it and the EOL Elan 7?

Got my 7E for $50 in San Antonio Texas saw same one in Hamlin, VA for $180

Rather get this version since when they were first released to the market... Half of the production of the eye controled version of these cameras were shipped with the eye control and beeper inoperable, rendering the calibration process imposible to achieve or with erroneous results. By the time Canon announced the recall... Most of the market war was turning to digital and not too many users cared about the feature anyway therefore just a few of these cameras were factory refurbished with the fix and by 2004 it was replaced with the Elan 7ne that came with the fixed control. The 7ne was just the exact same camera with the lighted lcd screen and a little cosmetic improvement over the 7e. For many it was just an excuse for not nailing quality control the first time right Canon! I hate the texture of the 7ne and I been thru five 7e's bought at different online marketplaces already none fixed, so I would just get this version next or I would stay with the IIe or get the eos3?... Decisions, decisions!

Where is the light meter?

Definitely don’t want that beep for anything “street” I’m assuming that can be turned off?

I have a Elan 7-E that is in mint condition, but the door doesn’t close. I heard that was a big problem with the latch being broken.

Do you still have this? I want to buy it.

I want this exact setup! If you are selling...let me know

I've owned this camera for 20 years and it has a fatal flaw--the film door latch. It is flimsy plastic and breaks at the slightest bump. Only way to repair it is to pirate a latch from another Elan body. I've done this 3 x and have had enough. this is a great and useless camera. I have upgraded to a Canon pro body at great expense. DO NOT buy these Elan 7 bodies if your are a serious working photographer.

Waste of time! Didn't get any colored photos!!