5D MkII Center Focus Point

[Siv]

I very rarely move the focus point on my camera away from the center point. I understand the 5DII's center focus point is a cross type - is it as good as using a 7D's center point only? Since the 5DII's focus system is the same as the original 5D, it's 5 years old so I don't expect it to be as good as the latest but is it good enough?

I don't have problems when there is plenty of light or when I'm taking product type photos. Where I suffer is photos of the kids where they move around so quickly that getting a quick and accurate focus lock is a challenge.

[ldelacruz]

What is your experience level? How old are your kids? Can you post a few examples with the EXIF intacked so we can see your settings and offer a few suggestions. I think it is most likely user error and not the camera but without pics and EXIF we can't be sure.

[jkderby]

Are you using "one shot"?

[Siv]

Originally Posted by ldelacruz

Can you post a few examples with the EXIF intacked so we can see your settings and offer a few suggestions.

Well here's the thing - I don't have any shots because the focus wouldn't lock in low light using One Shot. Using AI Servo, the camera just hunts so any shot I take is just a lottery since it never locks. I'm using minimum f/2.8 lenses so I know they are not to blame.

Edit to add: Well I can't really show you pictures that I don't have so here are some that I took just now. I'm pointing the camera at my screen and shooting - each time, the focus locked in One Shot but the pic was totally out of focus. The last shot had me manual focus close to desired and then let the camera finish. The shots have been cropped but flickr should have all the EXIF data.






So is a 5DII going to behave the same way or am I just expecting too much?

[ldelacruz]

Try something else besides your computer screen. I am not sure an auto focus is going to like a monitor to focus on. Also, there has to be light and contrast so the camera can autofocus.

[ronocnikral]

of the components in a focusing system, the user is the least reliable.

*removed comments*

[Siv]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

of the components in a focusing system, the user is the least reliable.

*removed comments*

Ron, I'm not sure what I have done to offend you but my asking naive questions should not elicit such an irate response - after all, we all had to start somewhere. I guess I need to go elsewhere if I want advice/help.

[texpic]

I have a 7D and a 5D Mark II. Use both for sports (5D in very poor lighting, lighting that sucks .. also use 5Dii when I'm shooting my 400mm 2.8 in a tight space and the 1.6 is too much).

To make a long story short, there are lots of user errors with the 5D and hardly any with the 7D. I just shot for 3 hours this morning at an indoor sports event with the 5Dii, good light, needed the 400mm. Also used the 7D on the 70-200.

Don't get me wrong, I can hit most of the shots with the 5D ... there are some shots missed because of the auto focus not responding the way the 7D would.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

of the components in a focusing system, the user is the least reliable.

*removed comments*?

The second part of you comment is absolutely unnecessary. Remember the rules.

2. Personal attacks on fellow members will NOT be tolerated.

3. Be considerate & professional at all times to other members on the forum.

Originally Posted by Siv

Ron, I'm not sure what I have done to offend you but my asking naive questions should not elicit such an irate response - after all, we all had to start somewhere. I guess I need to go elsewhere if I want advice/help.

Siv,

I apologize on Ron's behalf. We do not allow or tolerate that type of behavior. You are absolutely correct. We ALL started out as beginners.

[SCone]

May just be the action is too quick to gain focus? Lower light takes longer to "find" the object.

[texpic]

The 5Dii has a harder time under any lighting condition than the 7D. Being an owner of both here are my observations:

- the 5Dii's image quality is significanly better than the 7D

- the 5dii is slow and clunky, in sports you may miss the shot because of the camera.

When I shoot the 5D in sports it just requires being more careful, maybe trying to time and/or anticipate the action better. With the 7D, when you know "it" is going to happen, fire a burst of 3 shots and you have it. The "skillful" will chime in, "learn to time better." Put me down as a non-skillful, I'm going to fire 2 or 3 frames to make sure I get the shot (I know, all those extra frames cause global warming, LOL).

[texpic]

SCone, not sure the 5Dii has any harder/easier time hitting focus in the dark than in the light. Even in best conditions the 5D has a hard time (relatively speaking).

I may sound anti-5D, I'm not. I love the pics it takes. Just makes me work harder and I'm lazy.

[texpic]

YIKES ... looked at the first 300 pics I shot with the 5Dii this morning. Not many focus issues, a couple.

The 5Dii takes amazing photos, although I had the 400mm 2.8 slapped on it.

I think the 5D feels like there are more focus issues than there may be. Shot a lot of pics so more to look at, later.

ps ... I actually was using one of the side focus points on top of it, now there are some nerves!

[ukneeq]

I have loved my 5D Mark II. I haven't had really any issues with focusing. I have shot outdoor soccer in the day and night. I have mainly used the center point for focusing as well. Most shots are pretty sharp. Of course I have missed some shots pretty much just because of my error. I have also taken pics at night without much problem. The only times I have encountered problem is when there has been like 0 light. But of course any camera would have difficulty in those situations. If you are having a lot of problems focusing it might just be your particular camera. Have you taken it in to be looked at?

[texpic]

The camera is fine, no need to send it to Canon. My 7D has spoiled me on its speed.

I was shooting the 5Dii in the dark last nighrt at ISO 12800 with a 400mm 2.8. It takes great pics, hardly any noise in the dark at 12800. Shooting action shots at 1/100th shutter. Nuts stuff, can't believe that camera.

ukneeq you mention "user error" ... I notice that phrase a lot in 5D threads. Bottom line, the 5D is clunky and slow when compared to the 7D. The 7D can't take the pic the 5D does though.

If I had to get "the shot," I'm not grabbing my 5D, 7D all the way.