30D vs 5D II autofocus

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Archive 2009 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

mtnski
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p.1 #1 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

How does the autofocus of these two cameras compare?
I shoot 80% landscape, 10% each wildlife (no BIF) and sports.
I've been happy with the AF on my 30D but would not want to go backwards as that 20% when AF matters is important to me.

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:21 PM

mtnski
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p.1 #2 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

I should add that I tend only to use centre AF point when shooting moving subjects. Does the concern people express relating to the 5DII AF only relate to the fact that the other points are not cross type or is the centre also not as good as the 50D, 7D, etc?

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #3 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

mtnski wrote:
Does the concern people express relating to the 5DII AF only relate to the fact that the other points are not cross type

In my experience, yes.

Center point AF on the 5D Mark II is very competent for both One Shot AF and AI Servo AF when using AF point expansion. In my experience, the AF point expansion makes the 5-series cameras a bit better than the xxD models for focus tracking, as long as you can live with the slower framerate and the longer mirror blackout. Do a search here for recent threads on using the 5D Mark II for sports shooting, and you'll find some discussion on this.

The outer AF points either work or they don't. If they grab focus they are fine, but they will often hunt in low light.

Nov 18, 2009 at 01:17 PM

Dawei Ye
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p.1 #4 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

5D II autofocus sucks, but is better than the 30D. The 30D hunts even more on the centre point in low light

Nov 18, 2009 at 02:56 PM

mtnski
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p.1 #5 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

I guess I must suck as the 30D AF seems to meet my needs.

Nov 18, 2009 at 03:06 PM

yauyi
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p.1 #6 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

The Center AF point of my 5D2 is better than both 30D and 40D that I had.

Nov 18, 2009 at 03:32 PM

rhorta
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p.1 #7 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

The center AF on the 5D(2) is fine, don't worry.

Ruy

Nov 18, 2009 at 07:10 PM

Me_XMan
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p.1 #8 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

5DI or II is a must for 80% landscape IMO

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:14 PM

Gavin Sim
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p.1 #9 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

Hi
I have just been trying the 5D(2) in doors with low light, since I purchased it, it has been raining and I have been more than happy with the AF. My opinion is that the AF is relative for me coming from a 400D it is a LOT better and I am very happy. I guess if I was coming from a 1D series then I might say it sucks but that is not my experience.

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:16 PM

tchan748
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p.1 #10 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

i had the 30D for about 3 years before i switched to the 5Dmk2 last Dec. I have no problem with the center AF which i use extensively. As a matter of fact the 5Dmk2 center AF is much better than the 30D in low light.

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:18 PM

One_DaveT
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p.1 #11 · 30D vs 5D II autofocus

I haven't noticed a difference between AF on my 30D and 5D2. Both seem fine. I do shoot center point all of the time.

Nov 19, 2009 at 05:30 AM


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