5D II vs D700 AF

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Archive 2008 · 5D II vs D700 AF

roger coen
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p.1 #1 · 5D II vs D700 AF

Which is better (accuracy, speed)? Is the Nikon better/clearer focus?

Center point to point is either 'better'?

Edited on Dec 03, 2008 at 12:56 AM · View previous versions

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:44 AM

orangefirefish
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p.1 #2 · 5D II vs D700 AF

No comparison here. In peripheral points, the D700 is going to be more accurate in low light and also faster than the 5D II, which retains it's 3 year old AF system with only the center point. Also, the D700 has 3D tracking through 51 points which is a huge plus, while the 5DII will only track with a single point (or the 6 AF assist center points).

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:47 AM

scott f
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p.1 #3 · 5D II vs D700 AF

D700, no contest, especially if you go off center point.

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:50 AM

orangefirefish
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p.1 #4 · 5D II vs D700 AF

well, either of these cameras will get you accurate focus (I'll assume that the 5d2 has the same AF performance as the 5d), the problem is whether you can wait for the 5d2 to hunt in the dark, or lose track during AI-servo. In one shot, on a bright sunny day, you won't see a marked difference. It's when the going gets tough that the men are distinguished from the boys.

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:57 AM

chez
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p.1 #5 · 5D II vs D700 AF

The 5D has great low light focus using the center point only. Quick and accurate...more so than the 1DMKIIn. It falls short when you want to track focus in AI mode and when you want to use an off center focus point. If you can live with center only focussing, then the 5D will perform very well for you.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:09 AM

thedigitalbean
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p.1 #6 · 5D II vs D700 AF

D700 AF working range is -1 to 19 ev, the 5D2 is -0.5 to 18 ev. So based on that even for One Shot center point only AF the D700 will probably focus faster and more accurately in low light.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:17 AM

LZ7J
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p.1 #7 · 5D II vs D700 AF

I've shot these 2 cameras side by side. For AF performance, hands down the D700 is better. IQ goes to the 5D mk2. If you need a good compromise, get the 1D mk3.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:29 AM

scott f
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p.1 #8 · 5D II vs D700 AF

Easier description......if it moves, the D700 wins easy, if not , then the 5D will still get an in focus image.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:36 AM

orangefirefish
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p.1 #9 · 5D II vs D700 AF

LZ7J wrote:
I've shot these 2 cameras side by side. For AF performance, hands down the D700 is better. IQ goes to the 5D mk2. If you need a good compromise, get the 1D mk3.
I'm not sure that a mark III is a compromise between the D700 and 5d2....
the mark III has great AF, no doubt, but the overall IQ is neither as good as the 5d2 nor the D700 (same as D3 IQ). The D700 has the D3 AF, which is very, very good, though a wee bit short of the 1d3.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:51 AM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #10 · 5D II vs D700 AF

All of the D700 and D3 points are in a column in the middle of the array, however. The Mk. III's are the only bodies with x-type sensors on the periphery.

That said, I'd take the D700 AF (and the 5DII IQ, body, etc)

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:59 AM

orangefirefish
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p.1 #11 · 5D II vs D700 AF

The D700's IQ is no slouch, and the build quality is first rate!

Dec 03, 2008 at 02:00 AM

Nick Nishizaka
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p.1 #12 · 5D II vs D700 AF

Agreed, and that's about the only turn-off for me with regards to the D3/D700.
But considering the AF on the 5D MKI and MKII, I think the D700 wins no contest.

RyanFlynn wrote:
All of the D700 and D3 points are in a column in the middle of the array, however. The Mk. III's are the only bodies with x-type sensors on the periphery.

That said, I'd take the D700 AF (and the 5DII IQ, body, etc)

Dec 03, 2008 at 02:21 AM

LZ7J
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p.1 #13 · 5D II vs D700 AF

orangefirefish wrote:
LZ7J wrote:
I've shot these 2 cameras side by side. For AF performance, hands down the D700 is better. IQ goes to the 5D mk2. If you need a good compromise, get the 1D mk3.
I'm not sure that a mark III is a compromise between the D700 and 5d2....
the mark III has great AF, no doubt, but the overall IQ is neither as good as the 5d2 nor the D700 (same as D3 IQ). The D700 has the D3 AF, which is very, very good, though a wee bit short of the 1d3.

I'm a little biased as I own a 1D3

But yes, I agree with you that the D700's af performance, IQ, FF, etc. makes it a great camera. If only the D700/D3 accepted EF lenses...

Dec 03, 2008 at 02:22 AM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #14 · 5D II vs D700 AF

Nick Nishizaka wrote:
Agreed, and that's about the only turn-off for me with regards to the D3/D700.
But considering the AF on the 5D MKI and MKII, I think the D700 wins no contest.

word. I'm a big fan of the D700/D3's. but the 5DII IQ looks great, and I can't give up my primes.

Orangefire ... i never said the D700 was a slouch

I think it rocks. it's not as comfy in my hands as the 5D, or as the D3, though.

Dec 03, 2008 at 02:26 AM

Jonesy
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p.1 #15 · 5D II vs D700 AF

so if you could have only 1 camera body would you choose the MKIII or the 5D MKII?

Dec 03, 2008 at 05:40 AM

garyvot
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p.1 #16 · 5D II vs D700 AF

I got to handle the 5DII today and shoot some low light test images in both RAW and sRAW formats. Most of the "clunkiness" I perceived in the 5D has been exorcised, and the files are simply amazing. I think this camera will kick some serious bottom.

The D700 is no doubt the better sports camera (if you get the grip/D3 battery) and the AF is better spec'd. Truth is I've never had a problem with the AF on the 5D though I recognize its limitations. Every camera has tradeoffs.

Dec 03, 2008 at 05:52 AM

stiksandstones
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p.1 #17 · 5D II vs D700 AF

From Ron Purdy-A fashion shooter on his new 5d2:

AF is superb so far. Even with the 85mm 1.2 wide open, every image is sharp – indoors, outdoors, and with moving subjects. This is a stunt which even my 1Ds3 has a hard time pulling off. And the AF is working very accurately in the near dark.

Dec 03, 2008 at 06:32 AM

Edgar Maguyon
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p.1 #18 · 5D II vs D700 AF

Im a Canon head (5d user), and i'll admit that even after using a 1dsII, that the d300/700 AF is on par and maybe better than the 1dsII.

Dec 03, 2008 at 06:40 AM

miccullen
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p.1 #19 · 5D II vs D700 AF

stiksandstones wrote:
From Ron Purdy-A fashion shooter on his new 5d2:

AF is superb so far. Even with the 85mm 1.2 wide open, every image is sharp – indoors, outdoors, and with moving subjects. This is a stunt which even my 1Ds3 has a hard time pulling off. And the AF is working very accurately in the near dark.

But the next paragraph is far more interesting: "The outer AF points are working very well at 1.2 too."

http://www.afashionshooter.com/

Dec 03, 2008 at 07:39 AM

nikt
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p.1 #20 · 5D II vs D700 AF

The 1DmkIIn is my favourite of the Canons. Very quick acquisition, focus accuracy and and tracking. The 5D was ok at initial focus, just sometimes a bit hit and miss.

The D700 is excellent, but not the fastest I've ever used in 'initial acquisition'. That goes to the Olympus E3 (with the right glass). It just goes to show me that both Nikon and Canon can... and will, improve further in the particular area.

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:07 PM

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