Rating: 
Summary: Beginner or Novice - A camera you CAN use
Review: After taking pictures with a "regular" 35mm camera for years. I was ready to take a step up. I wanted a camera that I could grow with. I wanted a camera I could point and shoot. I wanted a camera that would give me professional results. I got all of this and more with this camera. It is as easy to use and compose shots as a point and shoot 35mm. You simply decide what you want to take a picture of - landscape, action, people, etc. If you switch the camera to AF (auto-focus) it will help you get the shot into focus and all you have to do is push the shutter release button. It is hard to take a bad picture with this camera. Once you get more experienced you can set the F stops etc. It is inexpensive to add filters to this camera and you have the ability to change lenses for even more great pictures. The only thing I would change in this camera is the lens size.
Rating:
Summary: Beginner or Novice - A camera you CAN use
Review: After taking pictures with a "regular" 35mm camera for years. I was ready to take a step up. I wanted a camera that I could grow with. I wanted a camera I could point and shoot. I wanted a camera that would give me professional results. I got all of this and more with this camera. It is as easy to use and compose shots as a point and shoot 35mm. You simply decide what you want to take a picture of - landscape, action, people, etc. If you switch the camera to AF (auto-focus) it will help you get the shot into focus and all you have to do is push the shutter release button. It is hard to take a bad picture with this camera. Once you get more experienced you can set the F stops etc. It is inexpensive to add filters to this camera and you have the ability to change lenses for even more great pictures. The only thing I would change in this camera is the lens size.
Rating:
Summary: The Best SLR for Ama. & Pro-Like!
Review: As a professional photographer, I would like to recommend this camera without hesitate. I am using Canon EOS series like EOS 1N-this is the best for pros, and Elan IIe as a back up camera. However, my hand tends to go Elan IIe, because of its light weight, eye focus control and less loud shutter sound than EOS 1N. Further more, Elan IIe has E-TTL -like Nikon's 3D Matrix- flash mode despite of EOS 1N's A-TTL mode. E-TTL mode is much better than A-TTL mode, especially in indoor flash shoothing, you can get more details and mood of background with E-TTL mode. EOS-3(over $1,000.00) has also E-TTL mode, but you can not find much difference in photos taken by EOS-3 and ElanIIe. ElanIIe has built in flash as E-TTL mode. Another impression is Eye Focus Control, this is amazing. Some people complain about this is not working properly, but I do not think so. You should take a time for input your eye movement precisely as a description of manual. Do not input another people's eye information on your ElanIIe, this makes ElanIIe confusing. Also, every time you input your eye information, ElanIIe will keep recording and tracking your input history, this means the more input, the better operation. I have never failed in Eye Focus Control even I am wearing a glasses and it is fast. The sound of shutter release and rewind is really smooth and quite than any other SLR. For lens, I would recommend EF 28-135 IS USM lens or EF 24-85 USM lens. Here is the point, most important fact in photograph, it is optic. Do not buy off-brand lens or even Canon lens as a ElanIIe Kit. You can see the sample pictures taken by ElanIIe with EF 28-135 IS USM lens at my website .... If the lens is same in same shoothing data, it is no matter which camera used like ElanIIe, EOS3 or EOS 1N. If you are more serious about shooting, I would recommend Battery Pack BP-50. This makes you save money for BATTERY! BP-50 holds four AA size Alkaline battery(save money and easy to find) or one 2CR5 Lithium Battery, also BP-50 gives you vertical grip with extra shutter release button(with on/off swicth). It is really works for vertical shoothing. Optional flash is 380EX, this makes you get true E-TTL flash mode. That's it, you all set! You can be pro with this system! There is one thing you should be careful, the mode select dial on ElanIIe. Remember whenever you turn this dial, you should PUSH the tiny release swicth on this dial. Otherwise, it is easy to be broken. Enjoy your photo life with ElanIIe!
Rating:
Summary: Great camera, great pictures
Review: Forget point and shoot cameras! A SLR lets you see through the lens instead of just a little view finder. Seeing what will be on the film makes all the difference in the world. The Elan will make all the decisions for you when you're in the mood to kick back or give you just as much control as you want. It is easy to use and will take great pictures for years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Elan IIE - A Great Camera
Review: I had a Cannon Rebel stolen from my car last year, and set out to replace it a few months later. This time I did not want to feel like I had not bought enough of a camera, but I did not want to spend over $800 with a lens and accessories. I landed on the Elan IIE, and I am very happy with it. It takes a great picture, is durable (I have been pretty rough with it), and as easy to use as you want it to be. It has features that will do anything you want it to automaticly (including following your eye to the focus point you chose) but allows you to experiment with manual functions. I chose a 28-200 Zoom lens to go with it and I am very happy with the package, and wandered across this page looking for my second lens... I am an amatuer photographer who trys to take professional quality photos, this camera is perfect, it costs a lot more for the next better level of camera... but this is definately worth spending the extra $250 (at least with the zoom lens, polarizer, case, etc...) instead of getting the Rebel 2000. I had regreted the Rebel months after buying it, and I would still have it for years had it not been stolen... I like the Elan enough I am almost happy the Rebel went away.
Rating:
Summary: Elan IIE - A Great Camera
Review: I had a Cannon Rebel stolen from my car last year, and set out to replace it a few months later. This time I did not want to feel like I had not bought enough of a camera, but I did not want to spend over $800 with a lens and accessories. I landed on the Elan IIE, and I am very happy with it. It takes a great picture, is durable (I have been pretty rough with it), and as easy to use as you want it to be. It has features that will do anything you want it to automaticly (including following your eye to the focus point you chose) but allows you to experiment with manual functions. I chose a 28-200 Zoom lens to go with it and I am very happy with the package, and wandered across this page looking for my second lens... I am an amatuer photographer who trys to take professional quality photos, this camera is perfect, it costs a lot more for the next better level of camera... but this is definately worth spending the extra $250 (at least with the zoom lens, polarizer, case, etc...) instead of getting the Rebel 2000. I had regreted the Rebel months after buying it, and I would still have it for years had it not been stolen... I like the Elan enough I am almost happy the Rebel went away.
Rating:
Summary: Canon EOS
Review: I love this camera! Typically, I go for the ultra-simple-to-use types of cameras that allow the user to point and shoot. This camera offers so much more versatility. The user can select either the point and shoot option with autofocus or, with a little more practice, he/she can select the manual option for more creative shots. In addition, there are several different lenses available for the camera. Before making my purchase, I was torn between a high quality point and shoot, a digital camera and the Canon. While the Canon is a bit larger/bulkier than the others I was considering, it is very lightweight and easy to carry. Bottom line -- I am thrilled with my decision and recommend it to others.
Rating: 
Summary: great quirky confusing
Review: I've been taking 35mm pictures for 35 years, and this is my favorite camera so far. I shot a couple of hundred rolls of film with this and it really feels like an extension of my vision. The light metering is sophisticated and usually does a great job even in tricky situations, the optical quality of the 28-105 Canon lens is stunning, and the frame is sturdy and durable. What's not to like? Well, there's the manual to begin with. There is no way you can access and understand all of the features that this camera has (and there are a LOT of features) by reading the manual. They just do a poor job of explaining, for example, the three metering modes and the three autofocus modes. I've had mixed sucess with the eye-controlled autofocus and find it a distraction now, and poor luck with the depth of field mode (if I could only get eye-controlled depth of field to work reliably). Depth of field preview? Pretty basic, my 35 year old SLR had it, the IIe's is not very functional. And for all the ballyhoo about the autofocus modes, the predictive focus mode hunts around so much that your subject will be long gone before the camera locks on to it (just try taking pictures of a puppy). Comparing this camera to the Rebel, I would wish for a combination of the two: I would like the light weight and functionality of the Rebel with the sturdyness and some of the flexability of the IIe. For a beginner, stick with the Rebel and a good lens (NOT the 28-80), you'll be much happier. As for me, I should be hunting up one of those MagicLantern manuals for the IIe and practicing with the eye-controlled autofocus. I would rate this camera 5 stars for what it can do, but decided on 3 stars based on what it should do and doesn't or says it can do but doesn't do very well.
Rating:
Summary: solid performer-lightweight backup
Review: I've been using an EOS 50 (the asian version of the Elan 2) as a backup camera for wedding photography for the past year and it is a solid performer. What impresses me is the quickness if the AF for the price of the camera. the camera does not tend to"hunt" for the focus as other more expensive cameras tend to do. The key here is the near Infra red assist built into the camera...even the more pricey professional cameras don't have this feature. The light weight makes it ideal for travel photography as does the silent advance and rewind. The Elan also does not seem to drain batteries as quickly as other Canon Cameras
Rating:
Summary: great, reliable entry-level SLR!
Review: I've had my Elan IIe since 1998, bought on the advice of my former roommate who's also a part-time pro, and it's done exactly the job I needed it for. Much more sturdy than the EOS/Rebel line, the Elan IIe's got a good solid but lightweight frame (aluminum, I think). I wholeheartedly recommend paying the extra 100-200 USD or so to get into the good low-end SLR market without going too cheap (don't forget, buy cheap, buy twice!). Autofocus technology has improved over the last few years; but although I hear the Elan 7 is nifty with seven autofocus points to the IIe's three, I haven't seen one to say if it merits the bang for the extra buck. Of manufacturers, Canon has had the best autofocus tech reputation for years. The IIe has quite good eye control on 3 autofocus points, if occasionally finicky. It adapts to individual users' eyes, with or without glasses. Unlike one review I saw elsewhere, I have had plenty of use for the autofocus on landscapes or other nature shots requiring depth of focus. Want to go manual for closeups, portraits, specific situations? It's a flick of a switch on a Canon EF lens. I agree that spot metering is quite limited, but this puppy has three different metering settings that break up the field of view in different balances. I also dig the main dial setting for aperture-size priority while the camera automatically adjusts for shutter speed (to be sure, almost all automatic SLRs now have this option as standard). Bracketing exposures is also fairly easy (and necessary to get that precious photo just right over three exposure possibilities), and can be done manually or automatically. If you can't spin all of one or two easy-access dials, what are you doing playing with SLRs? For the techologically-intimidated or situations where you have no time to adjust, the main control dial has several easy to use modes that require no thought/adjustment. A little time spent with the camera will quickly and easily help you graduate from the point and shoot hordes. The manual is one of the clearer gadget manuals I've ever seen. Add my emphatic vote to those who advise going for deals with an upgrade possibility on a Canon 28-105mm zoom, and do *not* get stuck with a 28-80. The former is just a great all-around lens. Traveling as I do, I've discovered the need to add over time two other Canon lenses, a 75-300 mm (f 4.0-5.6, USM) telephoto zoom, and a 24mm wide angle (f 2.8) fixed lens (nice and sharp!). Sure, you might get a little sharper with Nikon lenses, but you'll pay another few hundred dollars for the privilege, not to mention the significantly greater weight of a more expensive Nikon body. For amateurs like myself, I can't justify that modest extra bang for the buck, especially given the utility and value of my setup while hiking in parks or stomping around fascinating East European cities and countryside. I try to take care of gear, but my Elan IIe did take a few heart-stopping bounces down some concrete stairs. While some nearby Montenegrins may have picked up several new English obscenities over the next five minutes, this camera picked up just a few scratches on the body and much more importantly, kept the lens alignment. Naturally, I strongly, strongly advise against trying to repeat such a heart-attack-inducing experiment, and probably got exceedingly lucky, but was impressed with the durability of this camera. Like I say, this entry-level camera rocks; you should only look at the next step down to see what you should skip.
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