03-26-2011, 10:52 PM
Hi Yakim,
[quote name='Yakim' timestamp='1301131857' post='7101']
Are you referring to the outer AF points as well?[/quote]
Yes.
Strange. I owned a 40D and 5D simultaneously, and they were about equally good IME. The 7D is likely to be better, as it has a much more advanced AF system.
The only thing that is the same is the number and type of AF points, and their placement.
This is not entirely correct, and doesn't correspond to my own testing and experience either.
Essentially, from the 50D and 5D mk II onwards, Canon introduced the use of several spectrum bands (well, two actually) for AF, rather than just one as they used in the older systems. Canon alluded to this in one of their technical papers, and this does make a tremendous difference in accuracy, especially under more difficult and mixed lighting conditions. F.e., closeups under 50 Hz fluorescent lights were a hit and miss affair with 40D and 5D, not anymore with 50D and 5D II from my experience. Furthermore, the AF algorithms were improved as well. I don't have a single problem with the 5D II, or the 50D I played with for a while, whereas the 40D and 5D did miss on occasion, even under good daylight conditions (and the 40D more so than the 5D).
Whenever I miss with the 5D II I do know it is user error, not camera error - I do analyze why I miss focus if and when I do. The problem is that the camera doesn't do what the human eye does, one has to take that into account. Use a good contrast transition for focusing, and it gets it right all the time. Just don't expect it to be a speed demon, that's all.
Even so, AF with the 5D II is faster than I can achieve manually anyway.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
[quote name='Yakim' timestamp='1301131857' post='7101']
Are you referring to the outer AF points as well?[/quote]
Yes.
Quote:Undoubtedly, but after extensively using the outer AF points of the 40D and 7D the performance of those of the 5D were simply pathetic.
Strange. I owned a 40D and 5D simultaneously, and they were about equally good IME. The 7D is likely to be better, as it has a much more advanced AF system.
Quote:I thought it was only the processor. In [url="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-dslr-digital-camera-review.aspx"]TDP[/url] Bryan states that "The AF system in the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the same as that in the 5D (which I also found to be accurate) but now with a DIGIC IV processor driving it".
The only thing that is the same is the number and type of AF points, and their placement.
Quote:Also, In DPR's what's new pages [url="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5dmarkii/page3.asp"]here[/url] and [url="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5dmarkii/page4.asp"]here[/url] the only AF changes mentioned are the ones related to LV, which of course was not present in the 5D Mk I.
This is not entirely correct, and doesn't correspond to my own testing and experience either.
Essentially, from the 50D and 5D mk II onwards, Canon introduced the use of several spectrum bands (well, two actually) for AF, rather than just one as they used in the older systems. Canon alluded to this in one of their technical papers, and this does make a tremendous difference in accuracy, especially under more difficult and mixed lighting conditions. F.e., closeups under 50 Hz fluorescent lights were a hit and miss affair with 40D and 5D, not anymore with 50D and 5D II from my experience. Furthermore, the AF algorithms were improved as well. I don't have a single problem with the 5D II, or the 50D I played with for a while, whereas the 40D and 5D did miss on occasion, even under good daylight conditions (and the 40D more so than the 5D).
Whenever I miss with the 5D II I do know it is user error, not camera error - I do analyze why I miss focus if and when I do. The problem is that the camera doesn't do what the human eye does, one has to take that into account. Use a good contrast transition for focusing, and it gets it right all the time. Just don't expect it to be a speed demon, that's all.
Even so, AF with the 5D II is faster than I can achieve manually anyway.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
