5d3 slow focusing in low light

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PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #1 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

So I know I'm not the only person to notice some hesitation in low light focusing with the 5d3. It's mainly reported by event photographers (I'm a wedding photographer). I tried the new 600 flash and that didn't help.

Well, I bought the new 24-70 II and I'm pleased to report that it's much better than it was with the V1 lens. Not perfect, but definitely better

My first dance shots were probably twice as quick to lock on.

Just thought I'd share that. If you're struggling with the 5d3 a bit, maybe hire the lens and see if it helps you?

Dec 23, 2012 at 10:35 PM

jaybird555
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p.1 #2 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

I also noticed hesitation with my 5D3 and the 24-105 lens in low light, and I'm wondering if a faster f2.8 or f2 lens will help.

Dec 23, 2012 at 11:24 PM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #3 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Well the v1 24-70 f2.8 wasn't great... The 35l is better and, as I mentioned, the v2 24-70 is good too.

Dec 23, 2012 at 11:42 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #4 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Phil, does the slow focusing occur in the AI or single shot mode? I noticed that my 5D Mark III and 24-70mm Mark II did hesitate more in the AI mode under low light and low contrast condition. I normally use that mode regardless whether the target is stationary or actually moving but if the lighting conditions get really low I have to switch to the single shot mode, which is still sure footed under the same conditions.

Dec 23, 2012 at 11:49 PM

deepbluejh
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p.1 #5 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

There are 100 different reasons why your AF might not be performing up to your expectations.

Everything from your AF point, subject, lighting, lens, technique, and lastly - camera body.

To assume that because your expectations are not being met that it is automatically the camera body's fault is a far cry indeed.

The 5DIII is not perfect, but far better than the 5DII with regards to focusing. I can still make the 5DIII hesitate and miss under certain situations, but it's far more tolerant than past bodies.

Dec 24, 2012 at 04:49 PM

ryan00013
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p.1 #6 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Consider too that there are also certain elements with the 5D3 and different lenses in regards to which "focus group" a lens falls into. I.e, Group A has 5 dual cross type AF points with the 24-70 mkII, whereas Group B only has the single center point as the dual cross type AF point for the 24-70 mkI. (pages 79-84 under "lenses and usable focus points" in the 5D III manual). Also note, that the dual cross point functionality only occurs at f/2.8 and wider. Basically, the AF system is designed to work harder when shooting at wider apertures. I wouldn't know any of this had I not been flipping through the manual the other day out of boredom.

However, if you are only using the center point to focus and recompose, then this is basically a moot point.

Dec 24, 2012 at 05:09 PM

M Lucca
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p.1 #7 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Just waiting for the 6d fanboys to pop by saying "the 6d has -3EV AF sensivity! Take that overpriced 5d3!"

Dec 24, 2012 at 05:19 PM

Bones74
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p.1 #8 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

I find the 5D3 hesitates in very low light but.... it locks on. I've done the same test at f/2.8 with the (fairly poor low light focusing) 1D4 and the 5D3 nails focus when the 1D4 is just confused and wants to go hide in the kit bag

I even got the 5D3 to focus in my living room at night under an up-lighting 60watt bulb with a 6 stop ND filter screwed on to 16-35 ii at f/2.8. Take that under-priced 6D

Merry Christmas

Dec 24, 2012 at 07:06 PM

scalesusa
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p.1 #9 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

set to one shot AF, center point or group, turn off spot, full press and it shoots right away. However, if you half press and wait for the AF light, the delay is far too long.

Dec 24, 2012 at 09:45 PM

joelconner
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p.1 #10 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

My 5D3 with the 600ex-RT attached is definitely slower focusing in very low light than my 5d2 was...it's not just you.

deepbluejh wrote:
To assume that because your expectations are not being met that it is automatically the camera body's fault is a far cry indeed.

That may be true, but in situations where the ONLY thing that is different in the equation is the camera body and the problem presents itself, it seem most likely that the body is to blame.

Dec 24, 2012 at 10:24 PM

Photobufff
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p.1 #11 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Why not just turn some lights on?

Dec 24, 2012 at 10:44 PM

lowa2
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p.1 #12 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Photobufff wrote:
Why not just turn some lights on?

It's a wedding.....

They are dark, and the photographer does not control the light.

Dec 25, 2012 at 01:32 AM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #13 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

deepbluejh wrote:
There are 100 different reasons why your AF might not be performing up to your expectations.

Everything from your AF point, subject, lighting, lens, technique, and lastly - camera body.

To assume that because your expectations are not being met that it is automatically the camera body's fault is a far cry indeed.

The 5DIII is not perfect, but far better than the 5DII with regards to focusing. I can still make the 5DIII hesitate and miss under certain situations, but it's far more tolerant than past bodies.
I wasn't saying anything bad about the camera. Don't take it so personally.

My 5d2 didn't have this issue using the same kit and conditions so I'd say the body is very likely at fault.

This is a fairly common situation with wedding photographers. It's been brought up a number of times.

Edited on Dec 25, 2012 at 05:55 AM · View previous versions

Dec 25, 2012 at 05:48 AM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #14 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

My own honest view is that, since I'm only every affected in the first dance and especially with the AF assist on, the camera wants pinpoint accuracy. Well with two people moving around that's hard to achieve, but the faster focussing of the v2 lens / more accurate lock means its likely to achieve focus faster.

Only a guess but I'd love the ability to say how exactly in focus the camera needs to be before it locks. That'd let me know if that was the problem.

Dec 25, 2012 at 05:53 AM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #15 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

scalesusa wrote:
set to one shot AF, center point or group, turn off spot, full press and it shoots right away. However, if you half press and wait for the AF light, the delay is far too long.

Ill have a go. I back button focus most of the time but I could try this. I do wonder if the AF assist is part of the problem. I tried it without once and it seemed much better but I've not tried it since.

Dec 25, 2012 at 05:57 AM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #16 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Ps this issue is pretty much only with the first dance although I've had the same general issue with moving subjects in low light. Static subjects are generally ok.

Dec 25, 2012 at 06:01 AM

mikegrados
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p.1 #17 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

The 6d has -3EV AF sensivity! Take that overpriced 5d3!

I've gotten my 5Dc to lock focus in some pretty dim situations, but part of the 'trick' is to find a significant amount of contrast for the point to go off of. The 6D, 5D3, and any AF camera for that matter, is going to struggle with a lack of contrast...some just need slightly less.

Dec 25, 2012 at 04:32 PM

kaigraphy
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p.1 #18 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

well this might help...

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=11681.0

YN 622; Is this the/a solution to 5D3 + AF beam = slower focus

Is this the solution?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yongnuo-YN-622C-Wireless-TTL-Flash-Trigger-Canon-2-Receivers-/251173637846?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4199993506709166129%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D5%26sd%3D120988902989%26
This trigger/transciever has its own AF beam, which is the same beefy robust pattern shown on the Yongnuo 565ex. At just $47.00 is this the solution to the 5D3's bad AF beam performance? Either buy 2 or 3 of these at $47 bucks each, or just buy one to use as a stand-alone AF beam for the 5D3??

BTW I did NOT come up with this; I took it from another of the threads on this subject. I am about to buy either a 5D3 or a 6D, and I would like to know what others think about this beefy AF beam as a possible solution/aid to AF on 5D3??

Dec 25, 2012 at 06:41 PM

Ralph Conway
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p.1 #19 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

mikegrados wrote:
The 6d has -3EV AF sensivity! Take that overpriced 5d3!

You where first, Mike!

Dec 25, 2012 at 07:01 PM

StillFingerz
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p.1 #20 · 5d3 slow focusing in low light

Ralph Conway wrote:
mikegrados wrote:
The 6d has -3EV AF sensivity! Take that overpriced 5d3!

You where first, Mike!

Dec 25, 2012 at 07:50 PM

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