S Dilworth wrote:
For the same reason that Canon includes sensors for both f/2.8 and f/5.6 lenses: the f/2.8 ones work better with faster lenses, due to the fundamental way phase-detection autofocus works.
Canon didn't eliminate f/8 support for fun.
As everyone keeps saying though, the implementation is as important as the theory. If there's one truth about phase-detection autofocus in the last ten years, it's that it has under-performed and disappointed on a very regular basis, whether with flexibility (D2X), accuracy (1D Mark III especially, but all cameras, really), acquisition speed (D3), tracking (1D series), low-light sensitivity (1D Mark IV), etc. The web is full of complaints about SLR autofocus performance, and only half of them are user error!...Show more →
Nikon have said they habe set out to improve acquisition speed, which should address that issue. Many say the Nikon has slower acquisition speed, but more stable AF after it's acquired the lock.
I didn't say Canon eliminated f/8 for fun, I know exactly why they eliminated it. But now the tables are turned, with Nikon's slow glass AF set-up looking far better than Canon's has ever been even if we ignore the 1D X.
daskibum wrote:
Na, I was making a troll post just to stir the pot. It didn't get people as riled up as expected. Good to see the brand loyalty thing isn't quite as bad as it use to be. Least till the things come out... then I am sure it will be back to 10 pages of "why my camera is superior" in both forums.
Nope. Wrong forum. Try Nikon section. They are easy to get stirred up.
fraga wrote:
Itīs true.
It's slower than a MIII, from personal experience.
Very stable after lock, though I never had any complaint regarding that with the MIII.
I think my mk III has excellent AF, better than my 1D II.
If I was handed a D4 tomorrow I wouldn't complain.
I'm sure 1D X vs D4 AF will show pluses and minuses in each system and both will be excellent.
D. Diggler wrote:
The D3S is slower to auto-focus lock in low light than the 5D classic!
I don't know about that (speed), since I only handled a 5D once and it was in good light.
But I assure you that in extreme low light, the D3s will lock focus where no other camera will.
Even with very slow lenses like a 28-300 3.5-5.6.
Trust me, it has to be seen to be believed.
I am quite curious about the 1Dx in this regard, since this is one area where canon claims major improvements.
p.10 #13 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
I couldn't remember the last time when I felt the need for AF at f/8. Just the idea that you can get AF at that aperture though, whether it is really necessary or not, was enough for some to go to the other side. And that's fine; to each his/her own.
p.10 #14 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
AGeoJO wrote:
I couldn't remember the last time when I felt the need for AF at f/8. Just the idea that you can get AF at that aperture though, whether it is really necessary or not, was enough for some to go to the other side. And that's fine; to each his/her own.
Being able to af at f/8 opens the possibility for lighter lenses for everyone and longer lenses too.
p.10 #15 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
I understand that fully but I am speaking from my personal experience and I know that that varies widely among photographers. Like I said, to each his/her own and don't let this hold you back. It is good that we are not limited to just a single brand .
p.10 #17 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
PetKal wrote:
I can remember using 1.4xTC on 800L twice last year.....not because I needed to, but it was more of a test.
To my way of looking at things, f/5.6 nominal aperture is slow enough and 800mm is plenty long.
+1
The field of view of the 800mm is so narrow that that the target is not immediately visible by just simply aiming the setup in the general direction. I know it sounds comical but it happened to me more than once . Chances are, if I go for the 1D X, it won't be my only camera body. Another crop body, whether it is an APS-C or APS-H will be there to function as a TC to get a little more reach, if necessary. At 1,200+mm, generally, that won't be a BIF setup, for me anyway. I still hope that Canon could still tweak the 1D X to allow AF at f/8 now that Nikon has done so but it doesn't bother me if they don't. Your mileage may vary though and I know it does.
p.10 #18 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
Just by visual impression of the in-camera jpg shot at 51,200 on the 1Dx at PMA, it looks pretty darn noisy (lots of color noise visible)...I didn't go up to the other settings, partly because I am not familiar enough with the 1D series to know where the controls are for expanding ISO.
p.10 #19 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
PetKal wrote:
I can remember using 1.4xTC on 800L twice last year.....not because I needed to, but it was more of a test.
To my way of looking at things, f/5.6 nominal aperture is slow enough and 800mm is plenty long.
Right, but if you're shooting ducks, geese and pigeons at a park you will likely never need to...even 800mm is overkill most of the time for such a task. Aside from that not everyone has an awesome significant other who can afford to buy such things and are forced into dealing with, for example, a 400/5.6 or 100-400 plus a 1.4x TC. Deprived, I say.
p.10 #20 · D4: $6,000, AF @ f/8 and ships February
PetKal wrote:
To my way of looking at things, f/5.6 nominal aperture is slow enough and 800mm is plenty long.
M Vers wrote:
Right, but if you're shooting ducks, geese and pigeons at a park you will likely never need to...even 800mm is overkill most of the time for such a task. Aside from that not everyone has an awesome significant other who can afford to buy such things and are forced into dealing with, for example, a 400/5.6 or 100-400 plus a 1.4x TC. Deprived, I say.
Matt, if you have a 400mm f/5.6 lens or a 100-400mm lens, is that not better to use any of those lenses with a crop body, let's say a 7D, to get the reach? Why get a 1D X at 4X-5X the price? It is way overkill, too .
It didn't get people as riled up as expected. Good to see the brand loyalty thing isn't quite as bad as it use to be. Least till the things come out... then I am sure it will be back to 10 pages of "why my camera is superior" in both forums. 
