I haven't suffered any focus issues with my 5DII. With a little intelligent use by the photog, it rarely misses. It is slower than my 7D, especially the outer points, but feels like a speed demon compared to my old cameras: EOS A2, Elan, Elan 7E, 10D & 20D. If you could make nice images with those earlier models, using the 5DII is like falling off a friggen log.
No probs here either, in over 10.000 pics. It is not the greatest AF in the world, particularly outer points and in low light, but, when I get a bad shot, it is my fault, not the camera's...:-)
As been noted before, where the 5D2 falls short is when trying to AF with the outer points in low light. It simply hunts where more capable cameras lock on in this scenario. Some photographers focus and recompose on the center point, but for concerts etc I don't have the luxury of asking my subjects to freeze while I compensate for the shortcomings of my equipment. And being one who regularly shoots low light events, concerts, festivals, and photojournalistic weddings etc, the 5D2 simply doesn't cut it in this regard. It is now at best a backup/2nd camera to my 1D3 for this type of work.
But in January I will be adding a 7D to serve this function (actually to serve as my 2nd camera to the upcoming 1D4) for low light event work. Then the 5D2 will sit properly where it belongs in my kit, as my landscape/travel/backpacking/studio camera (when I have the luxury of manual or "focus and recompose" focus). With superior resolution and inferior autofocus, this is obviously what the camera is intended for.
I only see issues with the outer points in low light. The center AF is very good, better in low light than the 1DMK2 was. I have not compared it to my 1dMK3.
In my type of shooting (street, nature, portraits, landscape ) I don't run into focusing problems very often.
No no, it's a legit post! I have been having some serious issues with mine (I shoot portraits, mostly babies and small, fast kids). First ALL points and all lenses were pretty much a crapshoot. The camera just focused where it pleased willy nilly. The viewfinder looked good, but what was actually recorded by the sensor was a different story. The micro-adjusts didn't do a thing.
I sent it in and it came back with the same issues, but this time the micro-adjusts worked. Now the center point is stunning, but the outer points are still a crapshoot, resulting in about 5% of the shots taken with them actually in focus. I thought I could just cope with using the center point only, but I love shooting really wide open and focus-recompose just doesn't work for that. So I can either get nothing in focus or I can chop off fingers because I had to put the kid's face in the center of the frame.
The same lenses using the same points on my 5D original are fine, it's the 5DII body. I've tried explaining to Canon repair what I mean (including images), but they either refuse to reply outright or refuse to acknowledge that there IS a problem.
I was asking who had the same issues so i could try to further explain to Canon what the problem really is.
sequiro wrote:
The same lenses using the same points on my 5D original are fine, it's the 5DII body. I've tried explaining to Canon repair what I mean (including images), but they either refuse to reply outright or refuse to acknowledge that there IS a problem.
I was asking who had the same issues so i could try to further explain to Canon what the problem really is.
I feel my 5DMK2 focuses better than my 5D did, so I think you might have a bum body. However, I fail to see how the viewfinder image and captured image would not match up unless you have something set wrong in the camera.
sequiro wrote:
Since the Cann 5dII's focus issues are pretty well known, who here has had that problem?
Gotta' say... something about the wording of this post has "troll" written all over it. Apologies if I'm wrong, but if it is "well-known" (it isn't) why would you need to ask people to tell you that they have this "problem?"
sequiro wrote:
No no, it's a legit post! I have been having some serious issues with mine (I shoot portraits, mostly babies and small, fast kids). First ALL points and all lenses were pretty much a crapshoot. The camera just focused where it pleased willy nilly. The viewfinder looked good, but what was actually recorded by the sensor was a different story. The micro-adjusts didn't do a thing.
I sent it in and it came back with the same issues, but this time the micro-adjusts worked. Now the center point is stunning, but the outer points are still a crapshoot, resulting in about 5% of the shots taken with them actually in focus. I thought I could just cope with using the center point only, but I love shooting really wide open and focus-recompose just doesn't work for that. So I can either get nothing in focus or I can chop off fingers because I had to put the kid's face in the center of the frame.
The same lenses using the same points on my 5D original are fine, it's the 5DII body. I've tried explaining to Canon repair what I mean (including images), but they either refuse to reply outright or refuse to acknowledge that there IS a problem.
I was asking who had the same issues so i could try to further explain to Canon what the problem really is....Show more →
Funny, before I got this far down the post I was thinking "are you trying to focus on a baby's cheek!?".
Auto focus is NOT dummy proof. There is a learning curve with all cameras and equipment so the photographer has to learn to use the equipment.
I assume you are using all focus points? Try using center point and recompose. Auto focus will not lock on to items of low contrast such as babies skin!
I used to do baby portraits at my old studio day in and day out with various canon and nikon film bodies, know where to place that focus point and there is no problem.
The problem here may be user based from the sound of it.
I am having problems with the focus, but i wouldnt call them problems I think its a weak focusing system, maybe canon didnt improve to keep the price tag low, but I am ready to pay an extra $500 for improved AF. my 30D focus much better and much more reliable with better keepers, but still after using 5DII I hate using my 30D again, the difference is huge when it comes to everything else. I tried shooting seagull which are usually not the fastest birds with 135L, I tried with both center point only and with all of them, the keepers are horrible almost 15% only. tried to shoot some night football with some what good lighting in the field, still same thing. with family kids same thing. I always keep the shutter very high, I never hesitate to use ISO 3200. now i am getting the 1D mark IV for moving stuff and 5D II for portrait and landscape.
mohamed alfari wrote:
I am having problems with the focus, but i wouldnt call them problems I think its a weak focusing system, maybe canon didnt improve to keep the price tag low, but I am ready to pay an extra $500 for improved AF. my 30D focus much better and much more reliable with better keepers, but still after using 5DII I hate using my 30D again, the difference is huge when it comes to everything else. I tried shooting seagull which are usually not the fastest birds with 135L, I tried with both center point only and with all of them, the keepers are horrible almost 15% only. tried to shoot some night football with some what good lighting in the field, still same thing. with family kids same thing. I always keep the shutter very high, I never hesitate to use ISO 3200. now i am getting the 1D mark IV for moving stuff and 5D II for portrait and landscape. ...Show more →
Either your subject has low contrast (white seagull against white sand or white sky?) or you are doing something wrong. The 30D is pretty poor in AF compared to a 5D or a 5DMK2. Take a look at the bird post above. This is a typical results.
Thank you very much for all of the swift replies, everyone! I'm fairly certain that it's not user error. I've been shooting canon dslr's for over 8 years now, shooting kids professionally for four (hell, I just wrote an article for Canon's digital learning center). I know that my 5D's outer focal points are more accurate than the 5DII's focal points, but I was mainly looking to see if it was across the board or if it was just this body. I just didn't want to send it in YET again with no end in sight. I need the outer points to focus on kid's faces, simple. The 5D did it, why can't the II?
sequiro wrote:
Thank you very much for all of the swift replies, everyone! I'm fairly certain that it's not user error. I've been shooting canon dslr's for over 8 years now, shooting kids professionally for four (hell, I just wrote an article for Canon's digital learning center). I know that my 5D's outer focal points are more accurate than the 5DII's focal points, but I was mainly looking to see if it was across the board or if it was just this body. I just didn't want to send it in YET again with no end in sight. I need the outer points to focus on kid's faces, simple. The 5D did it, why can't the II?...Show more →
I have owned 3 copies of the 5DMK2 and they all performed the same as yours. Poor performance using the outer focus points.
I know you can focus and recompose but why should you have to? You should be able to use the outer focus points otherwise whats the point in having them.
no focus issue either - just been shooting indoors decorating our christmas tree and it locked on fine in low light with outer points as well. A little hunting at times but a great improvement over my 400D
Jim Victory wrote:
I know you can focus and recompose but why should you have to? You should be able to use the outer focus points otherwise whats the point in having them.
Exactly. If the outer points don't work, then why include them? What did you end up doing with the other three 5d2's?
