5D Mk II - AutoFocus vs. 50D

JackM · Jun 3, 2010

PeterK70 said:
I'm not talking of AI-servo or any tracking. It's not useful for my type of shooting. I'm talking about manually setting of a focusing point and how to lock the focus. In my case 50D did that with any AF point I selected and very quickly, but 5D MK II never did even I selected the central AF point.

Never? Put your lens in AF mode next time.

baobob · Jun 3, 2010

Did you carefully micro adjust AF for each lens?

I found that high res sensors need a lot of care to get absolutely sharp results when I moved from 12 megapix to 21!

I also use a Sigma 2.8 24-70mm and I guess the constant 2.8 aperture helps a lot with AF more light more contrast and 6 assist AF points in AI servo instead of 4

Robert

Victor Engel · Jun 3, 2010

PeterK70 said:
I had a shoot at a sunset yesterday. We took photos of a model on a beach.

I used my 50D with Canon 85mm lense attached all of the time. At one time I didn't have enough space between me and the model so I switched to 5D Mk II because it's a FF camera without crop so I was able to come closer to my model.

What I noticed was that 5D Mk II was unable to focus even when I used the central AF point, but 50D focused without any problem using any AF point available. It looks like 50D has a far superior AF comparing to the 5D Mk II.

From your description, it sounds like the 5D Mk II is closer than the minimum focus distance of the lens and so couldn't lock focus. That the camera wouldn't let you shoot a picture is a good thing.

PeterK70 said:
Does anyone else has the same impression about that?

Having never used a 50D, I can't compare, but in my experience, the 5D II is very good using the center focus point.

--

UponQuai · Jun 6, 2010

5D mark II is a camera for landscape. Usually landscape is done with manual focus.

PeterK70 said:
I had a shoot at a sunset yesterday. We took photos of a model on a beach.

I used my 50D with Canon 85mm lense attached all of the time. At one time I didn't have enough space between me and the model so I switched to 5D Mk II because it's a FF camera without crop so I was able to come closer to my model.

What I noticed was that 5D Mk II was unable to focus even when I used the central AF point, but 50D focused without any problem using any AF point available. It looks like 50D has a far superior AF comparing to the 5D Mk II.

Does anyone else has the same impression about that?

I’m asking because I was thinking of buying the 5D but it looks like it would be better to wait for the next generation 5D.

carlk · Jun 6, 2010

50D feels snappier not because of fr but because of less shutter lag I assume.

pandalee said:
because of the different frame rate you feel the 50D faster or as you said snappier but in reality, the 5D2 AF is better not faster but more accurate and tracks better as well.

also, in extreme low light the 5D2 can AF without silly flash assistance but 50D cannot.

the 7D AF is a bit better in tracking or something moving erratic but in real low light , again , the 5D2 AF more surely.

that said , I am very impressed with the spot AF of the 7D.

so, I wont sell my 7D for now.

fast frame rate and fast AF acquistion time are very different , 2 very different things.

carlk · Jun 6, 2010

Or better yet use live view contrast AF for tripod landscape. On the other hand I agree with what another poster said there is no such thing as landscape camera, action camera....., at least for majority of users. That (landscape, non-action camera) is not an excuse to put a mediocre AF in a $2500 camera.

UponQuai said:
5D mark II is a camera for landscape. Usually landscape is done with manual focus.

PeterK70 said:

I had a shoot at a sunset yesterday. We took photos of a model on a beach.

I used my 50D with Canon 85mm lense attached all of the time. At one time I didn't have enough space between me and the model so I switched to 5D Mk II because it's a FF camera without crop so I was able to come closer to my model.

What I noticed was that 5D Mk II was unable to focus even when I used the central AF point, but 50D focused without any problem using any AF point available. It looks like 50D has a far superior AF comparing to the 5D Mk II.

Does anyone else has the same impression about that?

I’m asking because I was thinking of buying the 5D but it looks like it would be better to wait for the next generation 5D.

Click to expand...

SallPitot · Jun 9, 2010

PeterK70 said:
I had a shoot at a sunset yesterday. We took photos of a model on a beach.

I used my 50D with Canon 85mm lense attached all of the time. At one time I didn't have enough space between me and the model so I switched to 5D Mk II because it's a FF camera without crop so I was able to come closer to my model.

What I noticed was that 5D Mk II was unable to focus even when I used the central AF point, but 50D focused without any problem using any AF point available. It looks like 50D has a far superior AF comparing to the 5D Mk II.

Is it ?

papparazzi · Jun 9, 2010

filmluvr said:
neroangelo said:

I found the 40d AF was better than the 5d/5d2 and much better under low light.

Click to expand...

That hasn't been my experience, except for the ability of the 40D to lock in reduced light. What I've found is that the 40D locks faster, but it often misfocusses slightly. The 5D is slower to lock, but gets it right 100% of the time. Bear in mind that I'm referring only to the center focus point (all I ever use) and stationary subjects.

--
http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/

My exact experience..also! Although peripheral AF point on the 40D are much better, than the 5D...kind of silly canon didn't put a better central af on the 40D AKA 5D... oh well...

EDIT: on low light levels, the center af point on the 40D is better....the 5D gets worse...
--
Nature and Landscape Photographer
http://www.pbase.com/jdf
http://www.flickr.com/jdfeos

papparazzi · Jun 9, 2010

UponQuai said:
5D mark II is a camera for landscape. Usually landscape is done with manual focus.

PeterK70 said:

I had a shoot at a sunset yesterday. We took photos of a model on a beach.

I used my 50D with Canon 85mm lense attached all of the time. At one time I didn't have enough space between me and the model so I switched to 5D Mk II because it's a FF camera without crop so I was able to come closer to my model.

What I noticed was that 5D Mk II was unable to focus even when I used the central AF point, but 50D focused without any problem using any AF point available. It looks like 50D has a far superior AF comparing to the 5D Mk II.

Does anyone else has the same impression about that?

I’m asking because I was thinking of buying the 5D but it looks like it would be better to wait for the next generation 5D.

Click to expand...

Where is it written that it's a "landscape" camera?... That is because it's AF sucks and it's drive? My OP, since it simply sucks on anything that requires good AF, people have NO CHOICE than putting a label on it... and that sucks.
--
Nature and Landscape Photographer
http://www.pbase.com/jdf
http://www.flickr.com/jdfeos

papparazzi · Jun 9, 2010

BillCat said:
The 40D is much faster to lock focus in dim light than the 5D2 with center point only. With the outer points the 40D can work and I don't use the 5D2 outer points usually, as the 5D2 is really poor with the outer points. I was also disappointed with the Nikon D3 outer points and found those didn't work in dim light where a 40D locked quickly.

--
-Bill

I agree...but in good light? My experience is central point is better on 5D
--
Nature and Landscape Photographer
http://www.pbase.com/jdf
http://www.flickr.com/jdfeos

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5D Mk II - AutoFocus vs. 50D

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