Dusting off my Canon Elan 7 35mm film camera 

Last year, I found a Canon EOS-7 (Asian version of the Elan-7_Eos 300v) with that same 24-105 glass attached in a box of junk cameras in a Bangkok 2nd hand shop. The camera was filthy, the rubberized grip sticky with deterioration. The cashier didn't even want to touch it, thus I was able to carry it out of the shop for the equivalent of $10. It cleaned-up nicely, the mechanism seemed ok and the lens smooth and clear. I hadn't shot film in years but I found a camera shop with CR123's and HP5 so I was on my way. It was great to hear that solid shutter click and I enjoyed the disciplined sense of shooting film again, having to selectively chose my shots keeping the 36 exposure limit in mind. I found myself being far more aware of hi-light and shadow detail than I am when shooting digital; allowing the camera to figure it all out for me. The solid heft of the EOS 7 was a nice change from molded plastic, I felt like a photographer again rather than a button pusher. The Eos 7 and I will definitely be spending more time together.

I just found one of these, I used to sell them way back in the day. I am so excited!! There's just something about film that will never be completely replaced by digital. Like you said, you only have so many shots, and you can't edit them either, it forces you to be patient with your shot and really know that's the shot you want. I absolutely love film cameras, and I got mine for $30 on Facebook and it came with full batteries, and a 7-300 lense. It needs some cleaning for sure, but I can't wait to use it and wait the 2 weeks for the prints.

I have the same camera but labelled as the EOS30. I bought it new about 20 years ago!! I love using it. Not so much these days, but I just had a film processed. Sure it's not cheap these days, but I love the challenge of shooting with this camera. An alternative is to find an old small CF card, put it in by EOS20D, turn off the preview, set it to a fixed ISO and shoot 36 frames, and wait 3 days before downloading the digital files!

I found one of those in 2011 ( when they couldn’t give film cameras away) at Henry’s in Toronto for $10! Scooped it and kept it for 10 years using it a lot. A guy was looking for a Canon film camera online and we made a deal for this camera for $50. Great deal for everyone.

I love how well it works with modern lenses. Way better than most lenses I had when I bought this around 20 years ago in college.

I had one, sold it, and recently bought one back again. I just wish Canon hadn’t made them so big. I have an EOS 300 too, which is smaller, but the build quality feels so cheap.

The battery grip also allows the use of 123 batteries. There is a flip up area to load them.

I'll be 55 in October. I have been into photography, on and off, since I was like, 10. Back then, I shot stuff like Brownie Hawkeyes, 126 instamatics, Starlites, but never could afford a real 35mm SLR. Not now though. I've got disposable income and film cameras became cheap. I now have all the Canon "A" cameras in silver and black, plus some of the best FD lenses Canon had to offer. Plus, my EOS collection is growing. I have an EOS 1N. A camera I couldn't even dream of owning when it was new. A few Nikons, and my precious baby, a Bronica SQ, with trimmings. I did take a break into digital, but always have had a love of film. Don't quite know why I posted this. Maybe to brag? Maybe to add to the discourse. I don't know, but yeah me! lol

Just found one of these at a garage sale the camera is in mint condition I was in shock how clean and new it’s condition was in super excited to put it to use

Had my 7e for about 15 years now. Last week the door latch broke. Found a replacement latch on line and hope to have it back in action soon.

I've just purchased my first film camera since the middle 90s, and guess what I bought, the Canon EOS 50E in mint condition, (one of the Elan range), I've got the battery grip too, and I can't wait to put some film through it, just ordered some Ilford B/W 400. I love the feel of this camera, being part plastic and part aluminium, it's got some heft and a pro feel too as the far as the controls go. One amazing camera. Thanks.

Hi still have my Elan camera Canon Elan but I stop using it because costco stop selling film and printing my picture. I love that camera would shoot 4 rolls of 36 when my son played football when he was 10 years old . where can i buy film and get then printed thanks . I still have my camera

does the e camera have a spot metering?

2:08 this a thousand times. It's one of the reasons I love film. It feels good to nail a shot on digital, but you could have 200 shots of meh for that 1 grade A. With film, 200 wasted shots is a lot of money! That's what, 8 1/2 rolls of film, so 9 film rolls at £10 + £8 processing... It really encourages better planning \ thinking.

Hi um i don’t know how to begin this but I just acquired this camera amongst other from my grandpa who had passed away years ago. I never used it. I came across it, covered in dust, and cried. Why shouldn’t I be using this camera? I avoided it bc I didn’t want to ruin it and I don’t know how to work it. I would love to learn how though. I don’t want it sitting on the shelf anymore.

Hi Ben! I really want to ask that which size of shutter cable fits Canon Elan7!

Sorry I can't listen to this with the vinyl crackle so loud in the mix

How is manual focus?

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Started shooting with film four decades ago using my first SLR, the Nikon F2A (+ motor drive + battery pack) and then moved over to digital back in 2000 with a Canon D30. Personally, I'll not shoot film again, unless it is the last resort. Old timers like me, not only shoot with film, but also had our own darkroom to do wet B&W and Color processing & printing. As for my thoughts about shooting with film in modern time. Yeah, it can be a different experience and offers some unique properties, but unless it offers an advantage over digital for one's work, then why not spend the time to perfect one's craft in digital instead, such as composition? "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." A quote from Bruce Lee.

Are you Hulk?

Scintillating…

Love how people shoot one roll of film and preach how great they are at shooting film. Calm down there Karen 🤣

Hi still have my Elan camera Canon Elan but I stop using it because costco stop selling film and printing my picture. I love that camera would shoot 4 rolls of 36 when my son played football when he was 10 years old . where can i buy film and get then printed thanks . I still have my camera