Canon EOS-3 vs EOS-1V

[littleduno]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and hope I can get some help with a dilema I've been going over. I currently have a Canon Elan IIE which I have been very happy with. I only started taking photos four years ago and it usually consists of family and sports. I just graduated from college, and with the money many friends and family gave me I had been thinking about buying another lense. My lenses are not the greatest - just those that came with my Elan IIe (a Tamron 28-80 and a 80-210). Not the greatest by any means but they have been wonderful to learn on. Yet, rather than buy leneses I'm thinking about upgrading the camera while I have the money.

So I've come down to these two cameras, the Caon EOS-3 and the Canon EOS-1V. As I said, i am still new to photography though I very much enjoy it. Does anyone have any recomendations? I'm far from a proffesional but at the same time this is a camera I would like to keep for the long haul. I realize my lenses need to be upgraded but I would like to start with the camera for now. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

[dsl712]

If it were me with that kind of money, I may consider a digital SLR. Canon 10D can use all Canon EF lenses.

But if you are considering a film body, EOS 3 will be more than enough. The 1V is awesome but the added weight and size is really for professional shooters who need the extra durability. Plus, the 1V is not a camera you can carry around and not get noticed.

Even with the EOS 3, I don't use half the functions on the camera. Plus you can buy a new lens with the money you save.

From now until July 31, Canon is having a rebate program. $75.00 cash back on EOS 3 and on many of their nice lenses. You may want to take a look.

Dennis

[Mig]

I agree with Dennis.

I'm just a hobbyist and have never found the EOS 3 to be lacking - it's a great camera. You may also want to seriously look at the digitals though. I bought the EOS 3 two years ago thinking that I didn't really want to get into digital. Well, last month I ended up buying a 10D and I absolutely love it. If you don't need to sell the Elan to help pay for the new body you may want to consider buying a digital and keeping the Elan for a backup and for those times when you just get the urge to use film.

Are you looking for specific features that the Elan doesn't have or do you just think you need a better camera?

Danielle

[littleduno]

I do want a step up from my Elan IIE, but I am not ready to make the digital switch yet. I like using film - and others have encouraged me to go digital but I prefer film. There are not specific features that I am looking for, just a better overall camera that will last me a while.

But more and more people are telling me to go digital so maybe I'll check it out more. Sometimes I wonder if anyone uses film anymore. Thanks for the suggestions, they really are a great help.

[Mig]

Yeah, I completely understand. I still love film, but I'm really loving the convenience of digital. I probably wouldn't have gone digital though if I couldn't do both.

Danielle

[straightarm]

In general, the quality of the image will be determined by the photographer's skill, the the lens used, any accessories, eg filters or flash and lastly by the body.

Unless there are specific shortcomings with your elan, there is no need to buy another body.

Simon

[kamboura]

Totaly agree with Simon. I know of nothing wrong with the Elan II, I would keep it until it dies. If you are not interested in buying expensive lenses. Start considering some faster lenses. A used F1.4, or F1.8 standard lens (I got one for $150). Buy some filters and experiment with those. Or a not so expensive digital camera with manual controls (e.g. Canon A80), and play with it, along with your film camera.
Or, you can do what I did, and buy a used Canon A2 (film SLR), which is the previous model from the 3, except it cost about the 3rd of the price, but has an amazing 5 fps shooting capability for sports without motor drive.
Anyway... just my opinion... I am trying to give you a couple of ideas other than buying the digital SLR, or another camera. My personal choice, would be with the digital SLR, the 10D is one incredible piece of equipment.

[Sebastian]

The lens is the single most important piece of the equipment taking the photo. Not counting the photographer, of course. The Elan II is vry capable, the smart thing would be to add good lenses to the mix. You are already familar with the 80-210 range, I suggest the 70-200 f/2.8.

[littleduno]

I have a an update/question in my search.

I was finally able to try a Canon 10D out yesterday and was really surprised with how much I liked it. My question is a simple one, which is why I feel awkward even asking but I know nothing about digital. Once the photos are downloaded on to the computer, how do you go about getting the ones you want off and then to be developed? I still want prints, but I'm not sure which forms are best (disk, cd, etc..), to get them to a photo lab. Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

And while I'm now considering the 10D as opposed to a better film camera, I have to ask - will film eventually be obselete? I still enjoy using it - but is there a certain amount of time left for it?

[Michael Fanelli]

First, I would spend the money to upgrade the lenses. Doing that makes so much more difference than getting a new body. What feature is missing from your current SLR that you really truly must have?

Otherwise, I have an EOS-3 from my film days. I used very few of the upgraded features. The eye control is clever but I never used it. The averaging spot meter is clever but, unless you have an extremely bad lighting situation with slide film, it is useless. Lots of fancy flash control but I am not an advanced heavy-flash-use guy. It goes on and on. Great camera but overkill for most amateurs.

As for digital, take a serious look. But, if you buy the good lenses with this extra money and keep your film body, you'll get better images regardless of either format in the future. Lenses are where the investment is.