Product reviewsCanon EOS 50E / Elan IIE 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

Canon EOS 50e 35mm film camera

I kept my Canon EOS 50e SLR which I had used for years with excellent results, and recently decided to go back to film as a change from digital.

The tiny plastic catch which keeps the back closed had broken off, with no way to repair it. It had lasted for years, but still it seems wrong that this should happen, or even that the catch should be made of plastic.

I was lucky to find an EOs 50e camera body on ebay for a very reasonable price which came with a new lithium battery,thus saving me additional expense.

Along with the 'SLR + film experience'I will now be able to use my Tamron zoom lens, which I missed with the digital camera (my DSLR has a zoom lens but it is so cumbersome I hardly ever use it and regret buying it. I have been using a smaller Casio Elixim, which has been very good - no complaints, I just wanted to go back to film for a while).

I don't know if anybody will be interested in reviews of film cameras anymore. I have had an Olympus and a Sigma, and prefered the Canon to both of these in terms of quality, ease of use and results. I am not an expert by any means, but used to get excellent results with black and white film which I developed and printed myself and was able to sell 12" x16" art prints from 35mm negatives. Not sure if anybody is still doing this except students in the early stages of their learning or dinosaurs like me.

What I like about the camera (and film SLRs generally) is that it makes you actually think about what you are photographing, and what you need to do in order to get the results you want. Although you have the option of 'automatic' everything , as you learn you can take control over exposure, etc. Which is where the thinking and decision making comes in, but you learn so much more about how to create a good photograph.

Small digital cameras do most of the work for you, are great for speed and tricky situations, and I am always amazed that you can take pictures in light which is so bad that you would swear it was impossible, then change the exposure at the editing stage, change the colour balance, change whatever you like if you have the software to do it.

That is I suppose creative in it's own way, but I personally prefer to create my 'vision' of the final print when first looking through the lens. It's a challenge - instead of editing out the telgraph pole, find a view which doesn't include the telegraph pole! A film SLR will make you look harder and more thoughtfully at your surroundings and your subjects.

It took me a while to get used to looking at a screen instead of through a lens when I 'went digital', but I haven't found it that way in reverse. I can't deny the screen is very useful though.

I have nothing against digital and will still use it myself when the situation dictates it. Each are creative tools and it depends on what you want a camera for. But a film SLR makes you think and work for your results, and I still have a sneaking suspicion that the quality of the end result is better. (This is probably not the case for those photographers who can afford the high end DSLRs - I can't, so this is just a personal review).

The downside with film is that you do not have the option to preview and delete images, so again it makes you think more and decisions have to be made if you want good results. I concede that digital is mostly imperative in business - eg if God forbid the wedding photos don't come out for some reason, you can't go back and redo them!Read full review...

50E Canons super 35mm film body.

I used to work in the Photographic trade dealing in new and used equipment. During the 90's the Canon eos system was dominating the sports and action photography field for good reason.Very fast autofocus operation and intuative control layout.Canon also introduced the eye control system where the camera detects which of the viewfinder focus areas you are looking at and focuses using that point. A bit of a gimic but people loved the technology.

I rate the EOS 50E for its ease of use,nice build,lighting fast focus speed when used with the USM lenses and advanced range of functions.It had a built in flash and works well with the optional BP50 battery pack which gives vertical shutter button and the ability to use normal AA batteries. Big bright viewfinder and ease of use.

Top shutter speed 1/4000 th of a second and 1/125th second flash sync. There is high speed sync with dedicated flash over a limited distance.ETTL flash control which is good and accurate. There's loads of revue information out there but for me of all the film era cameras it offers a fantastic specification in a reliable package.

From experience its also a better long term option against the EOS 5 as the 5's main control dial has a tendency to break with alarming regularity.

I have used both of these camera's 50E and 5 on a regular basis for semi pro work (weddings/portraits and function photography) and favour the 50E purely for relaibilty reasons. The EOS 5 is a supier semi pro camera but may offer more spec than you need.The EOS 5 has 1/200 the second flash sync which suits daylight fill flash better than the 1/125th of the 50E but still a bit limiting.

I currently own and use an EOS 50E body and the mainly Japan only all black EOS 55 QD/Panoramic variant because I prefer the black colour. The EOS 55 was also imported to the uk in limited numbers. There is also an EOS 50 which share the same functions as the 50E but no eye control facility and was thus sold cheaper new in the uk.

To sum up... EOS 50E is a VERY fine photographic tool which I rate very very highly and thoroughly recommend.Read full review...

Advance film photography

I have quite a collection of Canon EOS cameras and this is one of the most technically advance. The eye controlled focussing works well once calibrated (unlike my EOS 5). I like that the commonly changed parameters (exposure pattern, AF mode & winder mode) all have a dedicated switch rather than messing around with buttons and command dial. Overall a well designed, hi tech, film camera that is available dirt cheap today.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: geoffpix

My favourite Canon EOS film slr!

This was one of the best canon EOS film cameras ever made, has a great retro look and as many features as most people need! Most of these EOS cameras still work well despite their age!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: artman125

Great value

Great value for money, the image quality is decent for a camera of this age and size. Settings like exposure and ISO are easy to change and the camera is capable of adapting to many situations.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: chelmcc

Lightweight and easy to use. Works perfect.

In perfect condition considering its age.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jkershook

Great camera

Nice balance with an heavy pro les and suits my large hands

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: letmeihelpyou

top notch!

really good camera---brilliant in design and looks! a beauty!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: joejohnso-82

great camera！

although untested. works perfectly! 100% recommend

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: natydoj

Good product

Great deal

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: wa-tog