New to this....

[JamesV]

Hello,
I have read the messages from past to the current ones and I was looking for a 35mm SLR. I seen a few that stated that Cannon and Nikon are better for begginers and for the resale value. The ones that I'm looking at are the Elan and the N80, what is the difference between the Elan 7E, 7N, and 7NE. I looking for a camera for portraits and sports. I know that the lens that comes with the kit aren't that good but at the beggining it should be fine cause my other question was, which lens should I get if I just buy the body w/o the lens?

Thanks,

[Outdoorsman]

The difference. The Elan series of Canons are pretty similar. The "E" designation stands for "Eye control." This means the body is equipped with eye-control AF. The 7N is simply the "N"ew version of the Elan 7. I own a 7N. It's only slightly different. It has some metal skin on it, where the predecessors did not. It has a supposedly improved AF capability, which is clamed to be the fastest is its class and also as fast as the EOS-1 top-of-the line cameras. It's also supposed to be quieter than the Elan 7.
The AF is pretty fast, especially with a USM lens. And the camera is pretty quiet, though not silent. I bought the body only and picked up the Canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 USM II for about $200. They're a good combo. You will, in my opinion, automatically have to buy the battery pack/vertical grip BP-300. It allows you to use AA-size batteries instead of those stupid CR123 or CR666 or whatever those odd sizes are. Makes for easier traveling and easier on the wallet.
I did not get the "E" model, beacuse I don't need eye-controlled AF and I didn't want to spend the extra cash. Some people love it, and others hate it. It's a matter, apparently, of the sensors being more or less able to read the inherently unique shape of your particular eyeball. If they can't then you end up having to recalibrate the thing pretty often. I find the AF point selection keys to be just fine for picking the right AF point.
For sports, the speed of the 7N's AF (if it's really as fast as they say) will do great for sports, but only when a fast USM lens is attached. I hate servo AF on my Sigma non-HSM lens. It doesn't really work that well. For portraits, it's really not a matter of camera. It's more a matter of lens and film. A good lens combined with good film will give you great results in any camera.
Hope this helps.

[JamesV]

Thanks Penny,

For that matter I'm going to go out and look and see how the both of them feel and see what fits best.

Thanks again for the help.

[JamesV]

Thanks Outdoorsman,

When deciding on which one to get I'll keep that in mind and like you if I do go with the Cannon I'll just get the 7N.

Thanks on the lens choice also, I'll have to look in to that.

Thanks again.

[Chunk]

Hello,
I have read the messages from past to the current ones and I was looking for a 35mm SLR. I seen a few that stated that Cannon and Nikon are better for begginers and for the resale value. The ones that I'm looking at are the Elan and the N80, what is the difference between the Elan 7E, 7N, and 7NE. I looking for a camera for portraits and sports. I know that the lens that comes with the kit aren't that good but at the beggining it should be fine cause my other question was, which lens should I get if I just buy the body w/o the lens?

Thanks,

I don't know anything about either specific camera that you mention. And important part of any camera purchase is actually handling the camera and operating the controls that you'll be using while taking photos. Very often one brand will have a much better feel for an individual than the other.

[Clemmie]

I don't know anything about either specific camera that you mention. And important part of any camera purchase is actually handling the camera and operating the controls that you'll be using while taking photos. Very often one brand will have a much better feel for an individual than the other.

I will certainly agree with that - provided one is in an area which still has a real camera store.

Lacking one in my area for several years now, I've had to order my last few 'online - and on faith'. Fortunately, Minolta's ergonomics are pretty good, so my choices have all been winners.