Canon Elan 7 vs. Nikon n80

Hello, I'm looking into purchasing a new camera and need some
suggestions. I think I've narrowed it down to 1 of these 2 cameras.
The Canon Elan 7 or the Nikon n80. I am just a beginner, but want
something I can grow with. Both of these cameras come highly
recomennded to me. Does anyone have any input or suggestions on either
of these cameras, or a good place to purchase a camera and equipment
from?

Oh and one last question. Is there a major difference between the Elan
7 and the 7e series. There seems to be a signifigant price gap.

Thanks for your help.
Bob

 

The only difference between the 7 and 7E is the latter has "Eve Control
Focus," thus the "E" designation. Essentially, the camera will focus on
whatever you are looking at in the viewfinder, a neat parlor trick, but,
IMVHO, not essential for excellent images. But the price difference isn't
too significant, $55US at B&H.

 

Both are excellent cameras and you couldn't go wrong with either. You really
should try both out and pick the one that feels better to your hand --
unless you have a specific need for some feature one has that the other does
not.
My wife has an Elan 7e and I like the feel, and the silence (quietest SLR
on the market) better than my more expensive EOS 3.

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You should consider lenses and pricing: Canon in general is significantly
less expensive than Nikon. In the long run it's the lenses that tend to lock
you into one manufacturer or the other. I am locked to Nikon but I am not
sure I would do it if I wanted to start over.

 

I have never used the Elan 7, but I own the N80 and I can tell you it is as
good as advertised. It really has everything a hobbyist or amateur could
want. I especially like these 3 things pretty unique to this model

(1) Grid-lines in the viewfinder to aid in composition (can be switched off)
(2) Uses traditional cable release rather than propreitary release
(3) Has spotmeter

I will admit one thing about Nikons I don't like, and I never saw this until
I owned them--the front command wheel to me is not as convenient as the way
Canons and Minoltas do them. It's part of the grip, whereas the Canons &
Minoltas park it level with the shutte release--far easier to use
one-handed, I find, than Nikon's way. Nikon's way requires you to twirl the
thumbwheel with the same index finger that you're holding onto the grip
with.

 

having owned both each has features that the other one doesnt have.

elan:

mirror up
remote shutter release


f80

grid screen
spotmeter
lighted LCD


if you are really into flash control then nikon f80 would be a better bet as
you can switch
flash modes faster than the elan.


k.

 

Ah...but with the Canon changing flash modes is as easy as selecting a
different shooting mode. Besides, the E-TTL flash is so good, there is
hardly ever a need to change modes...

And, I might add, the Nikon does not allow for leaving the film leader out.