So, now that I’m getting ‘back into’ film photography, not that I ever really left, I need a new camera.
Why do I need a new camera? Because the first rule of photography is that whenever you decide to do something in photography, you have to buy some new kit. What can I do about it? It’s the law.
Ok, ok, it’s a fair cop. I don’t need any new equipment, I have a Pentax MX, EOS 50E, Rolleiflex TLR, Fujica GW690, Lubitel 144u and lots of other bits and bobs floating around.
But what I want right now is a camera I can carry everywhere, is relatively compact, doesn’t matter if it gets trashed and is small enough to fit into a messenger bag and doesn’t weigh me down.
It’s all for a new project I’m currently mulling over, something along the lines of a ‘picture a day’ but that’s by the wayside.
So, that brings me to the whole point of this post, the camera I’m choosing for this little adventure is:
The Canon EOS 500n (New EOS Kiss EOS Rebel G)
Now before we go too far, there are two cameras with very similar names, the 500 and the 500n. They are very almost identical, with just a few key differences, I guess to put it simply the 500 is a bit more set in stone, and the 500n is a bit more customisable.
On the 500n you can manually select your autofocus points, you get E-TTL flash, Auto Exposure Bracketing and it looks a little bit more streamlined too!
BUT, honestly I’m not going to really using any of those features, there is one very good reason you should get the 500n over the 500 and that is because the Canon EOS 500 has a known problem with a deteriorating shutter bumper.
Essentially over time the bumper slowly deteirorates and turns into a sticky gloop, which can, unfortunately, make its way down to the shutter blades, causing them to stick.
The newer 500n uses a better material for the job and doesn’t suffer with this issue.
Ok, so we’ve discussed the differences, how about the whys? Why of all the possible EOS cameras available am I going for the 500n?
Well, the reasons are:
- I have tons of Canon lenses, it makes sense to stick within the Canon eco system.
- It is very light indeed! It tops 350g without batteries*. You can carry that all day without noticing.
- They made a very tidy little vertical grip that allows you to use AA batteries. I have big paws, I need that extra grip!
- Nostalgia – I had one of these brand new and they’re nifty little cameras. I’d really like to have one again.
- They are CHEAP! £10-20 gets you a usable camera. The Battery pack will cost you more!
To me the Canon EOS 500n has always been a ‘sensible’ camera.
When pondering the various different options for my little project, the first thought was a little manual focus camera, like a Pentax ME super, something I can carry all day and just ‘whip out’ when needed.
Unfortunately autofocus is a given, if I want quick as well, because my eyes just aren’t what they used to be (you’ll understand one day), as I said I like the height a vertical grip gives and I wanted a few bells and whistles too.
Plus I wanted this little guy to be as cheap as possible. If it gets lost, broken, stolen, I just want to be… Meh. Not crying my heart out because the camera of my dreams is gone!
Many people would recommend the EOS 300v instead and honestly, it is a better camera, especially the autofocus system. But for Me personally, I find the 300v just a little too small. Even with the BP-200 battery pack attached. They’re also more expensive.
Obviously there is also the Canon EOS 1000f or 1000fn which is a cracking little camera, but unfortunately no grip. Or, mostly without a grip. Canon did the rather unusal GR-70 grip, which as you can see makes the camera very awkward to put down!
Not sure quite what you were thinking there Canon, interesting.
Anyway, as you can see I’ve combed my back memory of cameras and still keep coming back to the conclusion that the EOS 500n is the right choice for me!
With the grip, it feels right in my hands. It is whisper quiet, the mirror is beautifully damped and it does everything I need it to.
Obviously everyone has their own opinion and preference and of course none of them are wrong. The EOS 300v, 1000fn, 600, are all great cameras in their own right, but for me, partly for practical reasons and partly for nostalgia, it just has to be the EOS 500n.
I do have a 50mm f1.4, but I keep thinking about a 40mm f2.8 STM pancake lens. That’s a discussion for another day.
*So I googled “What weighs 350g” and was told that: a standard can of soup, a medium-sized adult human heart, a lightweight ceramic coffee mug. Now you and I both know that an EOS 500n weighs about the same as an adult human heart. Do with that what you will!
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