The Canon EOS Elan IIE - Still Making a Case for 35mm

I wouldn't say I'm much of a Technophobe as I am a wary consumer who has been barraged with and numbed by the latest mushroom in technological advances. These days, it seems that a product can barely hit the market without being completely upstaged by another brand that features an extra bell or whistle. And even the educated consumer who can tell the difference between window dressing and a true evolution in functional capabilities, is left reeling for the revolving doors.

Case in point: the digital camera vs. the 35mm SLR, specifically the Canon EOS Elan IIe. Yes, I'm fully aware of the immediacy of digital cameras, their interminable megapixel storage capacity and their direct-to-print photo software, but my Canon EOS has served me so well, it's become home to me. What's so great about the Canon is that it gives the photographer the power of choice. Unlike simple point-and-shoots, or low-end digital cameras for that matter, the Elan IIe offers the option between automatic and manual exposure settings -- or even somewhere in between -- to empower the photographer to gauge how much technical/creative input he/she wants for his photographs. But more on that later.

The standard features on every camera are also included on the Elan IIe, namely film rewind, self-timer, and built-in flash. Additionally, the built-in flash contains a hot shoe in case you want to expand your flash unit. From battery power indication to film speed used, the sizable LCD panel located on its topside displays any and all kinds of information about the camera.

Ergonomically designed, the Canon sports a comfortable grip, and even with the 28-80mm lens attached, it weighs surprisingly very little. Abuse is the order of the day with my camera, and I'm happy to say that the Elan IIe has also held steadfast in this regard. To touch on the not-so-standard features, there is the Film Advance Mode which presents the neat little option to advance your film one frame at a time or continuously at 2.5 frames per second! Automatic Focus/Manual Focus and Focus Lock are also welcome extras.

On the Command Dial, there are two major Zone Modes whose functions I'd like to review in some detail. The first, the Programmed Image Control Mode, allows you to point and shoot as you would any regular camera. These settings include the Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up and Sports Modes. You don't have to worry about fidgeting with f-stops or shutter speeds here. The Portrait mode for instance, will automatically blur the background to make the human subject stand out. In Sports Mode, the camera will know you're trying to capture fast-moving subjects and will modify the settings accordingly, while the Close-Up Mode is for, well, you get the picture.

The Creative Zone Mode is where the camera really sets itself apart from the rest of the point-and-shoots. Though this feature is geared more toward the sophisticated photographer, any beginner should at least come to know what these settings do, if only for the sake of edification. In Shutter Speed Priority Mode (Tv), you can control the shutter speed while the camera will automatically set the aperture. Aperture Priority (Av) allows you to control the size of the aperture, or f-stop, while the camera compensates the shutter speed. Manual Exposure (M) gives total exposure control, providing the photographer power over both aperture and shutter speed.

Now this is where I feel my review is going to hit a snag: Should I leave you reeling and go into detail about more features that the camera possesses, or have I left the reader with enough information to make an informed decision? I believe the latter to be true, provided I leave you with a few upshots: If you're interested in becoming a serious photographer, i.e., learning about the proportional relationship between shutter speed and aperture, quality and direction of light, composition, etc, then I wholeheartedly recommend the investment. The SLR kit comes with a 28-80mm lens and though negative opinion has swirled around its quality, I recommend you stick with the lens for the time being, get comfortable with it, snap, snap and keep snapping photos, and when you feel your craft is sharpening, then spend the money on a better lens attachment.

Now, if a casual photographer is reading this review and buzzwords like "f-stop" and "aperture" have left you colder than a witch's teat, then don't make the purchase. Other features on the Elan IIe include Focus Lock, Autoexposure Bracketing, Depth of Field, Metering Modes, Custom Functions, etc., and while they may seem like welcome icing on the proverbial cake, if they don't suit your purpose, then it should be a tip-off that you will be paying for more than what you need. If your interest is getting good, quick photographs with minimal fuss and muss, there are fine point-and-shoot, as well as digital cameras out there that do the trick at a far lesser price.

For those of us who are chary of the techno onslaught, who are not sure about what camera to buy, I hope this review dispels some of your reservations.