I will place my cards firmly on the table and say that a Canon EOS 300 is not a camera that I had ever considered actively adding to my modest collection of vintage cameras. Then an acquaintance contacted me to say that they had one that they wanted to dispose of along with a few accessories and so I decided to do a little research on their behalf as I had no idea of the value of this equipment.
The EOS 300 (also known as the EOS Kiss III in Japan and EOS Rebel 2000 in North America) is a consumer grade single lens reflex camera produced by Canon between April 1999 and September 2002 as part of their EOS system. The first thing that I noticed in respect of the camera and kit lens (an EF mount 28-80mm/f3.5 – 5.6 zoom lens) was that there were quite a number being offered for sale at a variety of prices ranging from ‘bargain basement’ to ‘absolute chancers’. Further research showed that this camera, which appeared at a time when digital cameras were beginning to gain a foothold, was no under-achiever. Many who have reviewed this camera have spoken very highly of it with just a few reservations in some cases.
Suffice to say, I now own a Canon EOS 300 along with an additional Sigma 70-300mm/f4-f5.6 lens plus accessories!
Specifications
- Introduced: 1999
- Image size: 24 x 35mm
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Focus: autofocus, 7 points w/ AF assist and manual option.
- Metering element: Silicon photocell
- Metering mode: Center weighted ave, 35-zone evaluative, partial 9%.5
- Film speed: 6 to 6400 ISO Auto DX or manual
- Exposure: ±2 EV (½ steps)
- Exposure modes: Program AE, shutter priority, aperture priority, depth-of-field AE, and full auto.
- AE bracketing: ±2 EV(½ steps)
- Shutter Speeds: 1/2000 to 30s with bulb.
- Film transport: Auto with prewind, Auto end of roll rewind, mid roll rewind.
- Film advance: Single, continuous auto (1.5 fps)
- Flash: Built-in, GN 12, TTL, 3 zone. 1/90 sec. sync.
- other: Depth-of-field preview, multiple exposure
- Power: Two CR2 lithium batteries with four segment power level, CR2025 for date back.
- Dimensions: 140 x 90 x 58.5 mm
- Weight: 355 g. (11.8 oz.) body only.
Initial Impressions
Put simply, despite being heavily reliant upon some form of plastic (polycarbonate?) in its construction, this is a very well specified camera compared to many produced in the previous decade. This camera is quite light and not large compared to similar offerings for the period. It is comfortable to use and can be as complicated or as simple to use as you choose. It relies upon two CR2 Lithium batteries to operate. I have read comments that they could possibly cost more than a secondhand EOS 300. As at the time of writing, these will cost around €10 for the two and so, this is a (slight) exaggeration!
The lens mount is plastic but seems to handle the two lenses that I have very well. (The Canon 28-80mm/f3.5 – f5.6 and a Sigma 100mm -300mm F4.5-6.7 DL lenses). I am unlikely to attempt mounting anything heavier but if If I happened to stumble upon 28mm, 50mm or 135mm prime lenses at giveaway prices, I could be tempted as it is quite a pleasant camera to use.
The viewfinder is bright with a fixed laser-matte screen. The focusing points are displayed and below the viewfinder there are a variety of indicators including shutter speed, aperture, flash ready indicator, red eye reduction icon and others. See the following diagram.
The Control Dial
The heart of the camera’s controls are situated on a control dial which is divided into four basic groups. These are described as:
- Basic or programmed image zone. This provides fully automated picture taking to suit the subject type. Viz. Portrait; Landscape; Close-Up; Sports; or Night scene.
- Creative zone. This provides the following settings: P (Program); Tv (Shutter priority); Av (Aperture priority); M (Manual exposure) and A-DEP (Depth-of-field).
- ISO (Manual IO setting).
- There is no on/off button as would be found on a DSLR camera. Instead, the camera has a red L setting.
In addition, there is a rectangle symbol that when selected provides full auto operation. This differs from the Program setting in that it does not allow any of the cameras features to be set by the user. See below.
Film Loading and Unloading
I am not sure whether the film loading system employed with this camera is unique but I must confess that it is the first time I have encountered it. The camera must first be switched to any of the shooting modes before opening the back. Thhe cassette is installed on the left side and the leader is stretched across to the orange mark making sure that the sprocket holes are engaged before closing the back. The camera will then automatically wind the entire length of film onto the take-up spool. Every time a shot is taken, the frame is rewound into the cassette.
The camera will automatically set the ISO if the film cassette is DX coded. In the event that the cassette is not DX coded, the ISO can be manually set. It is important to note that infrared film cannot be used with this camera.
When the film’s last frame has been exposed, it will automatically rewind into the canister. When complete, it will make a shutter release sound and an icon will blink on the LCD panel situated on the top of the camera. The film can then be removed. I must confess that this process initially confused me. (Easily done!) The film rewound almost instantaneously and I thought that the process had failed. I prepared to take the camera to my darkroom to investigate. Then I realised that as the film had rewound every frame as it was exposed. there was little more than the leader to rewind! Doh!
Final Thoughts
I started this article by saying that the Canon EOS 300 was not a camera that I had ever considered actively adding to my camera collection. It won’t have film camera nerds drooling BUT it is a highly competent performer and anyone wishing to dip their toes into the world of film photography for the first time, would do well to consider the Canon EOS 300. Not only is this camera well-specified for the modest outlay, but there are so many EF mount lenses available on auction sites at modest cost that expanding its capabilities shouldn’t break the bank. Indeed, a working EOS 300 with kit lends could probably be purchased for little more than four or five cassettes of black and white film!
I have only touched upon the capabilities of this camera. To get much more detail I recommend downloading the manual from Mike Butkus’ excellent site here.
Sample shots
The following were shot on Fomapan 100. developed in Spur HRX.
(All images open in a new page).
