Customer Rating: 
Summary: Tough film SLR
Comment: I've owned this camera since it first came out in the early 1990's. It's traveled all over the world with me in the most hostile (hot or cold, wet or dry) environments. Even dropped it once. The lenses was killed, but the camera was none worse for the wear. I've captured thousands of great images with it. In fact, sometimes I pull it out of my old camera bag to reminisce about the wonderful memories it helped to capture. I simply love this piece of photographic engineering.
Although I've switched to digital, I kept my Elan II for the times when I feel like using film. Despite its advanced age (and my abuse), it still takes gorgeous photos. The light metering and AF systems never fail to nail the shot.
This review was meant to be more emotional than technical because something so perfectly functional can evoke strong feelings, even in a technocrat like me. If you want a film SLR, the Elan II is a fantastic value. Buy it if you can find it, because I'm not giving up mine.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Eye Control
Comment: This camera is hands-down the best 35mm camera for its time. The eye control feature allows you to pin point the subject no matter what the background. For entry-level use, there is a simple center focus that will allow even the least experienced user to take great pictures.As with all cameras, film matters. Use the lowest speed possible and try to match the film with the development process.
For baby shots, the red eye reduction works better than any previous camera I owned.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Great Camera to Grow With
Comment: I've had my Elan IIe for a year now. It has traveled all over the US providing me and my family with great pictures of our adventures. With other AF SLRs, I used to be happy if a roll of film delivered just one or two really good shots --now I get one great picture after another whenever the full autofocus is used. I have to admit, I am still learning all of the manual functions... but that is what's so terrific about this camera; its user can move into and out of manual and autofocus controls while learning how to operate the Elan IIe.
The personalized eye-focus option is perfect for families who like to take turns getting behind the camera. I have mine calibrated for use with contacts in or glasses on -and it takes great shots either way.
It is a tough camera that performs well in all kinds of inclement weather and conditions (try a rocking sailboat in the rain photographing breaching humpback whales from several hundred feet! --and still I got some great shots).
I agree with other reviewers, however, that the only real downside to this camera is the lack of focusing points in manual focus mode. I have learned to autofocus and then fine tune in manual --but that doesn't work very well for fast-moving subjects. Also, its autofocus is limiting for extreme close-up subjects. If the user doesn't have a good idea about manual settings (or the desire to even try them)-the sole use of autofocus will limit your picture taking.
This is a great camera for anyone who wants to jump to the next level and break away from the confines of a full-time auto controlled SLR.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Not perfect, but really, really good
Comment: I've owned a Canon EOS Elan IIe for over two years now. In general I've been pleased with it, but there's definitely room for improvement. Things I like: the body is lightweight, the controls are easy to use, and there are some great automatic settings that make it easy to take good shots in a variety of conditions (action shots, scenery, portraits, etc.). Also nothing has broken or malfunctioned, which is saying a lot because my camera has been through consistently rough treatment - it gets thrown in a backpack and knocked around quite a bit.The primary thing that gives me trouble is focusing. The auto-focus usually works OK - the view has three small boxes in it, and the camera senses which box you're looking at and automatically focuses on whatever is in that box. In most cases, that's great. But sometimes the auto-focus screws up. When I take a picture of my dog, for instance, it will focus on the tip of his nose instead of his eyes. So sometimes I override the auto-focus, but the manual focus is difficult to use because there's no split-circle indicator to show you when something is in perfect focus.
Other than that, I've been very pleased with the EOS, and I'd recommend it to someone who wants a powerful, easy-to-use camera that gives you a lot of flexibility.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great buy - Amazing Pictures
Comment: The Canon EOS Elan IIe offers something for everyone - from the expert to the beginner. It can be completely automatic, point-and-shoot, or you can make it completely manual or any combination in between. Canon has adjusted some of its dials from previous Elans to make it easier to make adjustments without looking at the top of the camera - very helpful when you're looking at a subject through the view. One thing that sets the Elan IIe from other camera is its eye control focus system. Three boxes are in the view finder. Look at any one of those boxes, the Elan flashes red, and the camera focuses on that spot. Look in between two of the boxes, and you focus the camera on whatever is between them. While this sounds very high-tech, its incredibly easy to use, works with glasses, and has pre-sets for up to three people since the the camera "learns" more about its user the more the person uses the system. I found this to be incredibly accurate and easy to use. It's useful when your framing a picture with the subject off center.
The camera takes amazing pictures...I mean amazing. It's a great camera for a family - the beginner can use the point and shoot mode, and the family photographer can use all the manual configurations. It can be as simple or complex as you'd like with all the functionality and flexinbility you'll need.
