Kathleen Harbin , Jul 29, 2010; 01:56 p.m.
I've had an Elan 7E for about 7 years and I'm very happy with it overall (I like very much that it is lightwieght and quiet, and it is very comfortable to hold, but I find the eye control focus fairly innacurate and I rarely use the camera's fancier features). However, I often shoot in low light and I find using manual focus in low light extremely difficult with this camera. I would very much prefer a focusing aid with a split screen, or at least a more clearly defined ring.
Recently, the latch on the film door broke. I assume that this isn't a terribly difficult thing to fix, but I don't know how to do it, how much it would cost to get someone else to do it, or whether there is someone who can do it competently in my area.
All of this has made me ask myself whether I should perhaps either (1) buy a used camera body with a focusing aid that works better for me or (2) have the film door repaired, and try to have the focusing screen replaced with one that has a more intuitive focusing aid at the same time or (3) try to find an adapter that will allow me to use my range of Canon lenses on my old Nikon F and FM bodies.
Does anyone have advice on how to proceed in this situation? I would appreciate any suggestions!
Puppy Face , Jul 29, 2010; 02:18 p.m.
As I recall the latch on the Elan 7 series is plastic (as is the hinge on the battery door), so you should hold the release button down while seating it to avoid undue wear on the latch. I owned 3 Elan 7 series but suffered no latch problems. However it is easily user replaceable and you can order a new latch from Canon parts. It's been a long time, but this was once a fairly common topic back in the day, so there are a few descriptions on latch replacement if you have google skills. Realize the minimum repair charge at most Canon Service centers is between $150 and 200, so an official fix far exceeds the value of the camera.
If you don't mind spending the big bucks you can have a CatEye or other aftermarket screen with split prism installed. Again, costs will probably exceed the value of the camera.
An adapter for EOS EF on Nikon is not practical. No way to control the aperture short of very expensive electronics.
I used a 420EX and ST-E2 on my Elan 7 as an AF aid and they worked great. You can set a CF to disable flash/enable AF assist.
Kathleen Harbin , Jul 29, 2010; 02:32 p.m.
Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, it is plastic; I wish I'd thought of holding the release down before!
Who makes aftermarket screens for this model? I thought that the KatzEye screens only worked for DSLRs. I figured that the Nikon adapter idea wouldn't work very well, and it could only be a temporary fix because my old Nikonshave such a limited feature set. So, it sounds like I should look for another Canon body or try to fix this one myself. Are there other film EOS cameras with better focusing aids?
James (Jim) Johnson 
, Jul 29, 2010; 03:07 p.m.
Kathleen, as Puppy Face suggested, the best is to get the film door from Canon and do the repair yourself.
As for the low light focusing. The AF assist works very well on the 7e. Annoying when not really needed, but I have obtained focus in almost total darkness with the flash attached. Either use the Custom Function with a flash or . . .
When you are trying to manual focus in low light . . .
Do you have the AF set to One Shot? And, the lens switch set to MF?
I know, . . . it's definately not like the "split screens" of days past!
I still have my Elan 7e.
Also, on the eye control . . . are you calibrating often?
Puppy Face , Jul 29, 2010; 03:29 p.m.
ECF worked really well for me, and the 2004 implementation in the ELan 7NE was heavenly. Wish my DSLRs had it. It's a lot faster and surefooted at selected AF points than the joystick thingie.
Kathleen Harbin , Jul 29, 2010; 04:57 p.m.
Thanks for your reply, Jim. I actually haven't used the AF assist on this camera; it works well on my DSLR, but when I'm shooting film I tend to want the control of manual focus. Yes, I do keep the AF on one shot and the lens on MF; I haven't had trouble getting the thing to focus, the problem is just that it goes much more slowly than it would if I had a better focusing aid. Of course, after seven years I've gotten faster, but I still don't like focusing this way.
As for the ECF, I calibrated it all the time for about a year and then gave up and disabled it. Was I doing something wrong? Or were the earlier models with ECF less accurate? This camera was, I think, manufactured in the mid to late 90s; I was the second owner and purchased it in 2003.
As I said, I've been pretty happy with the camera overall. But I'm a bit annoyed at it for breaking like this. It hasn't been treated too poorly or banged around. The plastic body is nice for weight, but not so nice for durability, I guess.
Doesn't the EOS 3 have interchangeable focusing screens? Is there a split screen available for it?
James (Jim) Johnson , Jul 29, 2010; 04:59 p.m.
I'm with ya on the ECF Puppy Face . . . wish my DSLR had it too!
Think an EOS 3De is on the horizion? Don't we wish!
Kathleen, That 7e IMO is worth fixing if you can do it yourself, it could make a good backup for the time being should you decide to upgrade or move to digital.
Just a thought . . .
James (Jim) Johnson , Jul 29, 2010; 06:59 p.m.
I'm not trying to talk you into the ECF, some folks loved it, some found it useless!
When you got the 7e from the previous owner, did you "clear" the previous owner's calibrations and start fresh? It may have helped. The ECF works and so to speak learns from usage and frequent calibrations.
Yes, the EOS 3 has interchangeable focusing screens including a couple of split screens, that are compatabile with all EF lenses. The Ec-B was the "New split screen" and the Ec-L "Cross split screen." In both cases "Lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 will cause the focusing screen's split portion to darken."
In reviewing the Elan 7e's manual, I find no mention of optional focusing screens.
I take it you do have the User's Manual for your 7e. Just asking.
You can use the AF Assist with the built in flash you know, and disable the flash through C.Fn-7 with it set at 3 (Built in/External flash: Emits AF Assist/No main flash)
The EOS 3 that you mention is a great camera if you're considering it as a replacement for the 7e. That's why my 7e has so little shutter actuations. Shortly after I bought the 7e new, I bought a used EOS 3. The 7e immediately became my backup.
But I would strongly suggest that you "handle" an EOS 3 before you buy . . . They are big, heavy and very noisy compared to the Elan 7e. Like the difference in a VW Bug to a Mack Truck!
Kathleen Harbin , Aug 26, 2010; 11:35 a.m.
This is a very late reply, but I wanted to thank you both for your advice and update the thread for anyone who finds it later.
I repaired the camera with ease. The part is sold on ebay for $10 including shipping and is easily located with a search for "canon elan latch". The part is the same for the II and the 7/7E. Repair instructions can be found here and good photos in this old thread. However, the instructions are for the Elan II. For the 7/7E, an additional screw must be removed. If you're looking at the camera body from the same angle as indicated in photo (1) of the instructions or the third photo down in the old thread, the screw is just to the left of the latch cover plate. Be very, very gentle when prying the body open for step 3; my camera was quite resistant and I had to be careful not to crack the body. Overall, the repair was very straightforward and required only one tool, a very tiny screwdriver. It took about 10 minutes.
Regarding the more fundamental issue of the focusing aid, I plan to save up for an EOS 3 body. I can then sell the 7E for a few bucks or use it as a backup body. For now, I'm very happy to have it back in service!
