5D mkll AI Servo

Merlin5 · Aug 30, 2020

Hi guys, I've got five questions if you don't mind.

On my 5D mkll I've set up back button focus on my AF-ON button. For non moving subjects in one shot mode, I press once to focus and release.

When I'm in AI Servo mode and tracking a subject, am I meant to hold the back button down as I move the camera to keep it on my target? I'm hearing a clicking sound by holding it down which sounds like the focus mechanism fighting to make me let go, so maybe I shouldn't be holding it.

And when I start focusing with AI Servo, should I always first place the centre focal point on my target and then as the target moves, I can let any of the other focal points move onto it to keep it in focus?

And also in AI Servo, if I'm photographing a non moving subject, can I focus and release the back button same as in one shot mode?

I've never used AI Focus mode, is it good? Apparently it'll automatically switch me between non moving and moving targets.

Finally, I'm quoting someone from another thread where he said about the non updated focusing system of the 5D mkll,

'nine focus points, and still only the centre one was reliable.'

Does this mean that I can't rely on the AI Servo accurately keeping a moving target in sharp focus?

gavin · Aug 31, 2020

To start, the mkII AF was very mediocre even when it came out. (I used it for many years until I move the mk IV) The AI focus is suppose to focus and change to moving where as AI servo is for tracking moving subject. Use AI servo if you want to shoot moving subject.

Scott Larson · Aug 31, 2020

Merlin5 said:
When I'm in AI Servo mode and tracking a subject, am I meant to hold the back button down as I move the camera to keep it on my target? I'm hearing a clicking sound by holding it down which sounds like the focus mechanism fighting to make me let go, so maybe I shouldn't be holding it.

Yes, hold it down otherwise it will stop tracking your subject.

Merlin5 said:
And when I start focusing with AI Servo, should I always first place the centre focal point on my target and then as the target moves, I can let any of the other focal points move onto it to keep it in focus?

Your best bet is to keep the center focus point on your subject all the time since it's the best focus point

Merlin5 said:
And also in AI Servo, if I'm photographing a non moving subject, can I focus and release the back button same as in one shot mode?

Yes, although it will be somewhat less reliable than One-Shot focusing.

Merlin5 said:
I've never used AI Focus mode, is it good? Apparently it'll automatically switch me between non moving and moving targets.

I've been using AI-Servo for almost all focusing for almost twenty years even for static subjects.

The basic procedure for AI-Servo is put the center focus point on your subject, hold the back button, and pay close attention to what the focus is doing. If it loses your subject, release the button and hold it once the focus point is back on your subject.

Merlin5 · Aug 31, 2020

Scott Larson said:
Scott Larson said:

Your best bet is to keep the center focus point on your subject all the time since it's the best focus point

Click to expand...

Scott Larson said:
The basic procedure for AI-Servo is put the center focus point on your subject, hold the back button, and pay close attention to what the focus is doing. If it loses your subject, release the button and hold it once the focus point is back on your subject.

Thanks for answering all my questions, Scott.

You say keep the centre point on the subject, but I thought the idea was that the other focal points kept track? Or would I need something like a 7D to do that?

I find it difficult keeping the centre point on animals. I photographed a goat and though I got some good shots, he moved fast and erratically, faster than I could keep the focal point on it.

Scott Larson · Sep 1, 2020

Merlin5 said:
You say keep the centre point on the subject, but I thought the idea was that the other focal points kept track?

Well, they'll try but the center focus point is by far the most sensitive and reliable one in the 5D Mark II AF system. The others might work OK in good light but I've never had a situation where they helped much.

Merlin5 said:
I find it difficult keeping the centre point on animals. I photographed a goat and though I got some good shots, he moved fast and erratically, faster than I could keep the focal point on it.

Do your best to keep the center focus point on your subject and don't rely on the other focus points especially in low light. This is the bane of the 5D Mark II AF system which was not made for action photography.

hotdog321 · Sep 1, 2020

Merlin5 said:
Hi guys, I've got five questions if you don't mind.

On my 5D mkll I've set up back button focus on my AF-ON button. For non moving subjects in one shot mode, I press once to focus and release.

When I'm in AI Servo mode and tracking a subject, am I meant to hold the back button down as I move the camera to keep it on my target? I'm hearing a clicking sound by holding it down which sounds like the focus mechanism fighting to make me let go, so maybe I shouldn't be holding it.

And when I start focusing with AI Servo, should I always first place the centre focal point on my target and then as the target moves, I can let any of the other focal points move onto it to keep it in focus?

And also in AI Servo, if I'm photographing a non moving subject, can I focus and release the back button same as in one shot mode?

I've never used AI Focus mode, is it good? Apparently it'll automatically switch me between non moving and moving targets.

Finally, I'm quoting someone from another thread where he said about the non updated focusing system of the 5D mkll,

'nine focus points, and still only the centre one was reliable.'

Does this mean that I can't rely on the AI Servo accurately keeping a moving target in sharp focus?

AI Servo with a center point is about the best you can do on the 5D II. I used two for several years professionally. It's a wonderful still camera, but the focus is just awful for a subject in motion, even something as slow as someone casually walking along a sidewalk.

Merlin5 · Sep 1, 2020

Thanks Scott and hotdog. So you're both basically saying that the 5D mk2 is not good for tracking. If I buy a 7D with it's more advanced focus system and 19 focal points, will that be a lot better and can I then rely on good tracking from the surrounding focal points without keeping the centre focal point on the subject? I can pick up a used 7D pretty inexpensively. I know there's some people that say it's a great camera and others that say it's not.

hotdog321 · Sep 1, 2020

Merlin5 said:
Thanks Scott and hotdog. So you're both basically saying that the 5D mk2 is not good for tracking. If I buy a 7D with it's more advanced focus system and 19 focal points, will that be a lot better and can I then rely on good tracking from the surrounding focal points without keeping the centre focal point on the subject? I can pick up a used 7D pretty inexpensively. I know there's some people that say it's a great camera and others that say it's not.

I've no experience with the 7D, but the tracking almost has to be better than the 5D II. That said, the rich, juicy color of the 5D II make it pretty special for stills and landscape photographers.

Scott Larson · Sep 2, 2020

Merlin5 said:
Thanks Scott and hotdog. So you're both basically saying that the 5D mk2 is not good for tracking.

Yes. I was once in a desperate situation when my 1DX died just before a basketball game and the only other camera I had with me was that damned 5D Mark II. I was able to get enough acceptable photos to get paid, but the keeper percentage was only around 20%-25% and getting that required a tremendous amount of stress and concentration.

hotdog321 · Sep 3, 2020

Scott Larson said:
Merlin5 said:

Thanks Scott and hotdog. So you're both basically saying that the 5D mk2 is not good for tracking.

Click to expand...

Yes. I was once in a desperate situation when my 1DX died just before a basketball game and the only other camera I had with me was that damned 5D Mark II. I was able to get enough acceptable photos to get paid, but the keeper percentage was only around 20%-25% and getting that required a tremendous amount of stress and concentration.

A similar thing happened to me. I was shooting an assignment for the Houston Chronicle on birds in the Katy Prairie and the keeper rate was just horrible, forcing me to toss most of my pictures. I had similar frustrating results on other assignments when the subject was not completely motionless.

When I replaced my 5D II bodies with the then current 5D III bodies I was delighted with the difference. Note that I still say the 5D II produces spectacular images for motionless subjects, but they are simply not reliable even for the slowest action.

Scott Larson · Sep 3, 2020

hotdog321 said:
When I replaced my 5D II bodies with the then current 5D III bodies I was delighted with the difference. Note that I still say the 5D II produces spectacular images for motionless subjects, but they are simply not reliable even for the slowest action.

Nikon started putting high end AF systems into their cheaper cameras like the D700. Canon finally had to put a good AF system into a non 1D camera.

Toilet Roll · Sep 6, 2020

The 5d Mark ii has 6 hidden af points within the centre focus circle from what I’ve heard, and ai servo is your best option as I know ai focus isn’t reliable.

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