Reading mode: Light Dark

AF issues using adapted EF lenses / AF Shootout vs 6D2

Go to last post
A

analogue

Well-known member
Messages
238
Reaction score
146
Location
Paris, FR
I've had EOS R for about a week now and am experiencing quite drastic AF performance issues using EF glass via the adapter compared to native on DSLR (5DIII).

This I'm sure is mainly due to EOS R's phase only Dual Pixel AF vs the dedicated AF sensor module on Canon DSLRs.

Performance seems to vary depending on the lens, STM are naturally snappier, but on big heavy USM L glass, focusing can be slow, loud (the motors seem to struggle) hunt & sometimes totally confused.

I'm very surprised there isn't much talk about this, all the reviews also seem to praise EOS R's AF. But maybe they were mainly using the new optomised RF lenses..?

Anyways, AF mode you are in also affects performance: Single point AF is ok, Continuous however is really hit & miss.

Also EOS R DPAF seems to struggle on low-contrast subjects (grey, white, black). It gets worst depending on light situation.

Overall I hear this is fairly usual AF issues using FF glass via adapters on mirrorless systems.

I guess I just expected much better performance.

Curious if others have been noticing this?

Here is a YT video that compares EOS R AF to 6D2 using adapted EF lenses:


The hit rate speaks for itself and confirms my findings.
 
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
 
Last edited:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

Keep in mind, things get better/worst depending on how much you stress the AF.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
 
Last edited:
analogue said:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
Click to expand...
So just to clarify, do you get the green box confirmation on single AF and the camera is not properly focused? If yes, what lens does that?
 
Last edited:
Daedalus2000 said:
analogue said:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
Click to expand...
So just to clarify, do you get the green box confirmation on single AF and the camera is not properly focused? If yes, what lens does that?
Click to expand...
Sorry yeah green box in single AF does good as far as accuracy, time to lock on varies from reasonably quick, to laggy, to painfully slow.

And then sometimes (usually low contrast subjects) it just never gets to green box.

I occasionally also get red box (AF fail?!).

AI servo is where things really start to fall apart though.
 
Last edited:
analogue said:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

Keep in mind, things get better/worst depending on how much you stress the AF.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
Click to expand...
This is a bit odd since when I use my 6D2 in live view I find it more accurate than regular AF. Slower but more accurate
 
analogue said:
Daedalus2000 said:
analogue said:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
Click to expand...
So just to clarify, do you get the green box confirmation on single AF and the camera is not properly focused? If yes, what lens does that?
Click to expand...
Sorry yeah green box in single AF does good as far as accuracy, time to lock on varies from reasonably quick, to laggy, to painfully slow.

And then sometimes (usually low contrast subjects) it just never gets to green box.

I occasionally also get red box (AF fail?!).

AI servo is where things really start to fall apart.
Click to expand...
I see thanks for your reply. I have tested a few lenses I have, and I see slowness with the 85 1.2, but when I get the green box, all is good. I think for servo you need to get a blue box for confirmation. Sorry I do not have a lot of experience with DSLRs so I cannot compare.
 
henrikbengtsson said:
analogue said:
henrikbengtsson said:
In the comments section he is answering a question from a viewer asking about how the test was executed. The percentage is based on how many times the AF was confirmed on the first attempt.

I guess my question is... do you also experience inconsistency? I.e out of focus in the final image even though AF was confirmed and green? Because that is REALLY a big issue I would say. At least for me personally as I normally have the time to let the AF do its job.

Having that said, it's a bit dissapointing if the AF with EF lenses are much slower compared to DSLR bodies.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to report I'm experiencing inconsistencies, lag, hunting, missfocus etc..

The AF is definitely not on par with DSLRs for EF lenses.

Keep in mind, things get better/worst depending on how much you stress the AF.

It's no mystery, phase only dual pixel can't rival with off sensor hybrid AF modules.

What you are basically getting on EOS R is an enhanced Live View AF system.
Click to expand...
This is a bit odd since when I use my 6D2 in live view I find it more accurate than regular AF. Slower but more accurate
Click to expand...
it's mostly lock on time that is the issue vs accuracy but that becomes an even bigger problem in continuous where the lag is just going to make you miss shots.

the motor focusing sounds is also lot louder for some strange reason.

again overall sub-performance vs DSLR imo.
 
Last edited:
Sony's PDAF also struggles in low light/low contracts situations comparing to DSLR. I have a7III and 5DII - tested both with native lenses and noticed the difference with low contrast / low light. My solution with sony is to switch to single AF where contract detect AF, slower but does the job.

I'm not an expert in AF systems, but I would say all mirrorless / sensor based AF struggles a bit in low contracts scenario.
 
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
 
Ed Rizk said:
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
Click to expand...
 
Ed Rizk said:
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
Click to expand...
Interesting although sounds a little goofy to start framing shots with an angle to nail focus!
 
henrikbengtsson said:
Ed Rizk said:
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
Click to expand...
Is there a source for this claim? Would love to read about that
Click to expand...
There is, but I read so many articles that I don't remember which is which.

I think it is in the DPR review.
 
analogue said:
Ed Rizk said:
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
Click to expand...
Interesting although sounds a little goofy to start framing shots with an angle to nail focus!
Click to expand...
This could be a big problem, if I weren't me.

Except for action, I've always used the center point and either recomposed or shot wide and cropped. And I don't shoot much action. So no big deal for me, now that I know it.

For people, it won't affect the eye or face, so no big deal there.

I remember having to tilt the old EOS 620 to get it to focus, then leveling it to shoot. It wasn't very often, since most things have vertical lines to focus on.

This must be why the camera defaults to a wide focus area. I like a small focus area or a single point.
 
analogue said:
Ed Rizk said:
I was fooling around with the camera and found that it would focus amazingly well sometimes and not at all others.

I remembered reading that all 5000+ focus points are horizontal. Since there are not vertical or cross type AF points, the camera will not focus on a perfectly horizontal line. In good light with good contrast, a slight angle will do for focusing on a vertical line. In low light with low contrast, you may need a 45 degree angle of more to get the camera to focus on a horizontal line. On a vertical line, the camera focuses instantly and perfectly even in low light with low contrast.

Shades of the old EOS 620.
Click to expand...
Interesting although sounds a little goofy to start framing shots with an angle to nail focus!
Click to expand...
Instead of focus recompose, now we have to focus retilt! 😀
 
DPR just published their AF verdict for the Nikon. And not a good one, so yeah. There might be issues with mirrorless that at least I wasn’t aware of...
 
Omg.. and reviewers are all super happy about AF? Worlds best autofocus is dual pixel? Rly?
 
DeeNikon said:
  1. DeeNikon wrote:
Omg.. and reviewers are all super happy about AF? Worlds best autofocus is dual pixel? Rly?
Click to expand...
It’s nothing new. I have the same problem with my Sony A7III. Even worse on the Sony actually because the Sony focuses stopped down for many lenses. So when it’s dimly lit, the AF struggles. And don’t get me started on Studio photography.
 
Last edited:
henrikbengtsson said:
robert614 said:
boldcolors said:
  1. DeeNikon wrote:
Omg.. and reviewers are all super happy about AF? Worlds best autofocus is dual pixel? Rly?
Click to expand...
And don’t get me started on Studio photography.
Click to expand...
Modeling light is not enough?
Click to expand...
Depends. If the strobe is close to the person, yes, it helps quite a bit.

But if it’s a group and the strobe is farther away. And I’m at f8, the AF will struggle.

That’s a quirk of the Sony I don’t like.

I’m happy the Canon focuses wide open.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top