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Anyone who owned(owns) Elan IIe who now has D60?

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SteveDude

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I have an Elan IIe and am STRONGLY considering a D60. I'm SO not happy with the film developers and printing these days, which means I have to scan, fix, and print everything myself (VERY timeconsuming). I borrowed a D30 recently and was extremely impressed, and with the reviews I've read, the D60 is better in many ways.

In any case, any care to comment on pros/cons with going digital with the D60 vs. my Elan IIe? Anything the Elan does better than the D60? (eye control excluded).

Thanks in advance.

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
 
SteveDude said:
Anything the Elan does better than
the D60? (eye control excluded).
Click to expand...
Yep! Keep the film camera so that when you need real wide angle shots that you can't get on the D60, use the film camera. For the rest, use the D60.

For example, you may have a 24mm lens that will become a 38.4 on the D60. To get close to 24mm on the D60 you'd have to plunk down $1400 for the 16-35, which would give you 25.6mm equivalent on the D60.
--
Walter K
 
Steve,

Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt.

No brainer.

Go for it!

The only thing you might miss from the Elan IIe (as you say, "eye control excluded") is the wide-angle ability. The 1.6 crop factor makes a 28mm lens behave like a 45, or a 300 into a 480. Great if you're into birds, not so good if you're a landscape or interiors guy.
SteveDude said:
I have an Elan IIe and am STRONGLY considering a D60. I'm SO not
happy with the film developers and printing these days, which means
I have to scan, fix, and print everything myself (VERY
timeconsuming). I borrowed a D30 recently and was extremely
impressed, and with the reviews I've read, the D60 is better in
many ways.

In any case, any care to comment on pros/cons with going digital
with the D60 vs. my Elan IIe? Anything the Elan does better than
the D60? (eye control excluded).

Thanks in advance.

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
Click to expand...
--
  • Woody -
Eqiupment: Lots.

Favorite Quote: 'Never let the quest for the Perfect become the enemy of the Excellent'
 
Walter,

The least expensive "cure" for 24mm is the Sigma 15-30, which runs around $500. If you only need to get back to a 28mm equivalent, then you might get by with a Tokina (et. al.) 19-35, which tests closer to 18mm on the wide end, and would give you about 29mm equivalent on a D30/60.
WalterK said:
SteveDude said:
Anything the Elan does better than
the D60? (eye control excluded).
Click to expand...
Yep! Keep the film camera so that when you need real wide angle
shots that you can't get on the D60, use the film camera. For the
rest, use the D60.

For example, you may have a 24mm lens that will become a 38.4 on
the D60. To get close to 24mm on the D60 you'd have to plunk down
$1400 for the 16-35, which would give you 25.6mm equivalent on the
D60.
--
Walter K
Click to expand...
--
  • Woody -
Eqiupment: Lots.

Favorite Quote: 'Never let the quest for the Perfect become the enemy of the Excellent'
 
I tried one the other day and it was actually quite amazed at how different it was to the D30/60/EOS10/100 etc. more actual controls on the camera and a smaller LCD, I loved the Eye control idea BTW, I bet it's essential on cameras with 48 focus points :). the D60 like the EOS10 feels many times heavier, the AF seems the same bar Eye control. locked on subjects much the same and you'll get used to the operation differences fast, there is no lock on the mode dial on the D60 as the on-off switch is on the back (I HATE the central dial lock on the EOS10, the 50s metal tab is far better).

I think they'll make an excellent combination though I'm still leaning more towards the EOS100 (original Elan) as a film body for slides as it operates more like the D60 does..

--
Olympus C2100UZI +B300, E10, Canon D60.

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
SteveDude,

I went from the IIe to the D60 and haven't regretted a thing. While you do give up the wide end to some degree, the freedom that comes with shooting digital more than makes up for it.

I have learned more shooting with the D60 in the last two months than I have in a long time with the Elan. Primarily because I can set up a still life and burn through a hundred images without worrying about additional processing, or the time delay to see results.

Go for it.

M

--
Be Good Humans.

http://www.theMirrorpool.com
http://www.digart209.org
http://www.mattfrederickdesign.com
 
I went from the Elan IIe to a D30 and then added the D60. I agree with all the previous posts. But I'd have to add the dreaded focus speed issue. Even using exclusively L glass, I still think the ElanIIe focuses faster in lowish light (and that's using the D60 with only the middle, more sensitive focus sensor). Not that this has slowed me down any...you just have to adapt how you shoot and become a little more conscious of choosing a good focus subject when using the D60 under such conditions.

As for the film vs digital issue, I haven't used my ElanIIe since getting my D30 (or the D60). Convenience and cost, not to mention control over the ultimate output definitely weigh in on the side of digital.

Kris K
 
I have 2 Elan IIe's and a D60 and D30.

Elan II focuses IMHO muhc better. It has the red focus assist light which works like a charm. Other then that, they seem to be on par.

-e
SteveDude said:
I have an Elan IIe and am STRONGLY considering a D60. I'm SO not
happy with the film developers and printing these days, which means
I have to scan, fix, and print everything myself (VERY
timeconsuming). I borrowed a D30 recently and was extremely
impressed, and with the reviews I've read, the D60 is better in
many ways.

In any case, any care to comment on pros/cons with going digital
with the D60 vs. my Elan IIe? Anything the Elan does better than
the D60? (eye control excluded).

Thanks in advance.

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
Click to expand...
--
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography
 
The Elan IIe seems to focus a little better in low light, other than that, they are very similar. Also, I would say the ElanIIe feels a little bit more solid, but that may be because I have never mounted my 70-200f/2.8 on it...

Paul
 
I agree with the previous posters about wide angle, etc. Have used an Elan II (no eye control) and just started using the D60. I found it very easy to pick up and use since many of the controls and functions are similar. And having used a Coolpix 990, I was familiar with the digital aspects (features, menus, etc) and was easily able to figure out the camera without resorting to their (terrible) manual.

Buy the D60. You will find it familiar and easy to use. I have not experienced the low light focusing problems others have complained of, perhaps I was used to using the Elan II.
 
I do not wish to stray off digital but as this thread started with film could someone tell me whether the Elan IIE is a better camera then the Elan 7? Thanks, Pops
Robert Batey said:
I agree with the previous posters about wide angle, etc. Have used
an Elan II (no eye control) and just started using the D60. I found
it very easy to pick up and use since many of the controls and
functions are similar. And having used a Coolpix 990, I was
familiar with the digital aspects (features, menus, etc) and was
easily able to figure out the camera without resorting to their
(terrible) manual.
Buy the D60. You will find it familiar and easy to use. I have not
experienced the low light focusing problems others have complained
of, perhaps I was used to using the Elan II.
Click to expand...
 
I do miss the eye-focus, and have added the St-E2 accessory to assist in low-light focussing.

The D60 yields images that are better than the Elan. If you had film and scanned it, then you're not getting images that are as clean as the D60 gives, IMO.

Also, I did get the 16-35mm lens so that I could shoot indoors without always scrunching into a corner to get the whole room or all of the people into the shot.

Absolutely no regrets, the D60 has revitalized my interest in photography, and the images are much, much better than I ever had with the Elan IIe and scanning prints or slides/negs.
 
I have a D30 and an IIe. I still use the film camera occasionally for wide shots and if I know that I will want a bunch of 4x6 prints. I am too lazy to print out 40 or 50 prints, I would rather let a lab do it. The IIe does do a better job at low light focus. Also remember that film is much more forgiving exposure wise. It is much easier to blow out highlights with digital cameras.

Regards,
Greg
 
If Elan = EOS100, ElanII = EOS50E and Elan7=EOS30

I'd say that the Elan-II is by SEEMS to be the cheapest built flimsiest of the three, it looks good and functional and the AF is quick but I was suprised when hefting one that it feels like a Rebel in the hands and is even Rebel coloured !! though there IS an EOS-55 which is black (Gawd knows what kind of Elan that is), the original Elan is nice and solid as is the 7 and both operate more like a D30/60 than the IIe..

I can't go on Photographic Qualities as I ran film through none of them, the II has 3-point focus like the D60 but has eye control and the 7 has 7 points if I remember rightly.. The Elan-7/EOS30 to me feels more like a D60 than the others..

I don't know if any of this helps, but If I was spending that kind of money, I'd go for a used EOS3

--
Olympus C2100UZI +B300, E10, Canon D60.

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
Thanks SO much for all the great feedback.

One question however: One thing about the d30 (I borrowed) is that there are only 2 magnifications for previewing images, and you use the wheel to move around the image. Not very intuitive - a digital olympus camera we have at work has a great zoom and pan feature for previewing images.

So the question is: Does the D60 have anything that helps me preview the images better than the D30? Is the screen better to help me see the sharpness or anything? Or is it about the same as the D30?

Back to the original question and everyones' answers... most of your thoughts are what I was expecting. Several mentioned that the ElanIIe is better for wide-angle with my lens because of the normal 1:1 ratio. This isn't a big problem for me, since I originally WANTED something like a 50-200 lens with my ElanIIis, and the 28-135 will give me approx 45-210mm equivalent. That's just about what I'd like for most of my shots. So that's actually a plus for the D60 I think. :)

I really appreciate the quick feedback from everyone.

This forum is great - I just found out about it last week and already am checking it daily.

I think the D60 is going to be my next major purchase - now I just have to find one. I have a family event in a couple of weeks - I wonder if it's possible to get one before that. Hmmmmm :)

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
 
Steve, most likely you have been shooting some pictures on the wide end of your 28-135. You will know how much you will miss the 28mm end after one day of shooting with a new D60. I bouight a 20-35 to make up for the magnification.

Paul
SteveDude said:
One question however: One thing about the d30 (I borrowed) is that
there are only 2 magnifications for previewing images, and you use
the wheel to move around the image. Not very intuitive - a digital
olympus camera we have at work has a great zoom and pan feature for
previewing images.

So the question is: Does the D60 have anything that helps me
preview the images better than the D30? Is the screen better to
help me see the sharpness or anything? Or is it about the same as
the D30?

Back to the original question and everyones' answers... most of
your thoughts are what I was expecting. Several mentioned that the
ElanIIe is better for wide-angle with my lens because of the normal
1:1 ratio. This isn't a big problem for me, since I originally
WANTED something like a 50-200 lens with my ElanIIis, and the
28-135 will give me approx 45-210mm equivalent. That's just about
what I'd like for most of my shots. So that's actually a plus for
the D60 I think. :)

I really appreciate the quick feedback from everyone.

This forum is great - I just found out about it last week and
already am checking it daily.

I think the D60 is going to be my next major purchase - now I just
have to find one. I have a family event in a couple of weeks - I
wonder if it's possible to get one before that. Hmmmmm :)

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Paul - you're probably right.

I was thinking more about the fact that the 28-135 will be my primary lens and that I often wanted a bit more than the 135. I'll probably get a nice wide-angle zoom to handle the other cases.
kd6lor said:
Paul
melor said:
One question however: One thing about the d30 (I borrowed) is that
there are only 2 magnifications for previewing images, and you use
the wheel to move around the image. Not very intuitive - a digital
olympus camera we have at work has a great zoom and pan feature for
previewing images.

So the question is: Does the D60 have anything that helps me
preview the images better than the D30? Is the screen better to
help me see the sharpness or anything? Or is it about the same as
the D30?

Back to the original question and everyones' answers... most of
your thoughts are what I was expecting. Several mentioned that the
ElanIIe is better for wide-angle with my lens because of the normal
1:1 ratio. This isn't a big problem for me, since I originally
WANTED something like a 50-200 lens with my ElanIIis, and the
28-135 will give me approx 45-210mm equivalent. That's just about
what I'd like for most of my shots. So that's actually a plus for
the D60 I think. :)

I really appreciate the quick feedback from everyone.

This forum is great - I just found out about it last week and
already am checking it daily.

I think the D60 is going to be my next major purchase - now I just
have to find one. I have a family event in a couple of weeks - I
wonder if it's possible to get one before that. Hmmmmm :)

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
 
Pops,

The Elan 7 is the successor to the Elan II. (There are "e" and non-"e" versions of both.) While the Elan 7 is a better camera in most ways, I like the thickness of the grip on the Elan II better. Also, and perhaps more important, and the Elan II uses a near-IR autofocus assist light, while the E uses a flicker-flash for focus assist. Dumbest "upgrade" function Canon ever came up with.
Pops said:
Robert Batey said:
I agree with the previous posters about wide angle, etc. Have used
an Elan II (no eye control) and just started using the D60. I found
it very easy to pick up and use since many of the controls and
functions are similar. And having used a Coolpix 990, I was
familiar with the digital aspects (features, menus, etc) and was
easily able to figure out the camera without resorting to their
(terrible) manual.
Buy the D60. You will find it familiar and easy to use. I have not
experienced the low light focusing problems others have complained
of, perhaps I was used to using the Elan II.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
  • Woody -
Eqiupment: Lots.

Favorite Quote: 'Never let the quest for the Perfect become the enemy of the Excellent'
 
Steve,

The D60 has exactly the same preview functions. Full frame, and 1/6th frame in 9 parts. Neither is high enough resolution to tell you more than if you totally blew the focus.

I Would LOVE to see a firmware mod that allows a zoom in as close to pixel-level as possible, though I would be satisfied if they could at least allow zooming to the detail of the embedded JPEG.
SteveDude said:
Thanks SO much for all the great feedback.

One question however: One thing about the d30 (I borrowed) is that
there are only 2 magnifications for previewing images, and you use
the wheel to move around the image. Not very intuitive - a digital
olympus camera we have at work has a great zoom and pan feature for
previewing images.

So the question is: Does the D60 have anything that helps me
preview the images better than the D30? Is the screen better to
help me see the sharpness or anything? Or is it about the same as
the D30?

Back to the original question and everyones' answers... most of
your thoughts are what I was expecting. Several mentioned that the
ElanIIe is better for wide-angle with my lens because of the normal
1:1 ratio. This isn't a big problem for me, since I originally
WANTED something like a 50-200 lens with my ElanIIis, and the
28-135 will give me approx 45-210mm equivalent. That's just about
what I'd like for most of my shots. So that's actually a plus for
the D60 I think. :)

I really appreciate the quick feedback from everyone.

This forum is great - I just found out about it last week and
already am checking it daily.

I think the D60 is going to be my next major purchase - now I just
have to find one. I have a family event in a couple of weeks - I
wonder if it's possible to get one before that. Hmmmmm :)

--
Canon ElanIIe, 28-135IS
Click to expand...
--
  • Woody -
Eqiupment: Lots.

Favorite Quote: 'Never let the quest for the Perfect become the enemy of the Excellent'
 
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