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Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

Started Nov 26, 2016 | User reviews
perry rhodan
perry rhodan Senior Member • Posts: 1,964
Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af
5

After 24 hours, only a quick first view.

The M3 is nicely crafted and a dream ergonomically. Nice menustructure. Ergo nice, for a MILC that is. Nice sensor but AF NOT ok.. With the dedicated M lenses works very nice. The best EFs lens for this M3 (that I have) is the 18 135 usm nano. The AF is mediocre. Flash is a tiny bit worse compared to the DSLR versions like the 100D. Tilting the inboard works great. The nissins (i40 and i60) need some -/- FEC dialled in. But otherwise wireless flash works like a dream.

Will update my quick view anytime soon.

Now after some hours of use I find the AF speed and accuracy NOT acceptable. PERIOD.

I'm returning this one.

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Here for the forums.

Canon EOS M3
24 megapixels • 3 screen • APS-C sensor
Announced: Feb 6, 2015
perry rhodan's score
3.0
Average community score
3.7
bad for good for
Kids / pets
mediocre
Action / sports
awful
Landscapes / scenery
great
Portraits
great
Low light (without flash)
okay
Flash photography (social)
mediocre
Studio / still life
good
= community average
Canon EOS M3 Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D)
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rickysuper
rickysuper Regular Member • Posts: 103
Re: Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

I upgraded to M5 from M3 because of the focusing speed. The speed of M5 now was acceptable. I know it still behind Sony and Olympus but I don't want to change whole my lens or using adapter for the other brands.

 rickysuper's gear list:rickysuper's gear list
Kodak DX3500 Canon EOS 50D Canon EOS M5 Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Tokina AT-X Pro 12-24mm f/4 (IF) DX +9 more
plantdoc Veteran Member • Posts: 4,339
Re: Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

Just bought an M3 with adapter, EVF, and 18-55mm lens to replace a G15. My primary use will be for non action pics, such as travel and similar. For action, I have a 70D. Will AF with STM lenses be adequate? How about EF and EFs lenses. No so much concerned about speed as they were OK on my SL1 but AF accuracy. Found that some IQ issues I was experiencing were really AF issues front/back focus which was eliminated with live view. The 70D has AF micro adjust which I now consider a necessity for an optical finder and very fast live view for everything but action. However, the 70D is not what I want to carry around for some travel. Thanks

Greg

perry rhodan
OP perry rhodan Senior Member • Posts: 1,964
Re: Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

plantdoc wrote:

Just bought an M3 with adapter, EVF, and 18-55mm lens to replace a G15. My primary use will be for non action pics, such as travel and similar. For action, I have a 70D. Will AF with STM lenses be adequate? How about EF and EFs lenses. No so much concerned about speed as they were OK on my SL1 but AF accuracy. Found that some IQ issues I was experiencing were really AF issues front/back focus which was eliminated with live view. The 70D has AF micro adjust which I now consider a necessity for an optical finder and very fast live view for everything but action. However, the 70D is not what I want to carry around for some travel. Thanks

Greg

Strangely my efs 18 135 usm nano with the adapter was not even the slowest on the m3. The 15 45 was awfully slow and had zero resolution around the 45mm setting. Tried the m5 extensively in store today. Not impressed with the AF 😣😣 at all. The fill flash in and outboard with the nissins and the ex canon m5 was mediocre. Even my 3 years old 100D was miles better. Stacking to the DSLRs for now. None of my Dslr and lenses (have 5 canon originals) needs afm on the 80D. On the 100D they are all outstanding too. Spot On!

BTW the fill-flash on the 100D and 80D is Superb!

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Andy01 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,188
Re: Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

Personally I have not had too much of a problem with AF on my M3, bit I don't use it for action shots (I use my 70D for that). It focuses quite quickly with the 18-55mm EF-M, 11-22mm EF-M and 24-105mm f4 L + adapter. I am talking about single shot focus, not tracking.

The 100-400mm L + adapter is a different story, with slow focus and hunting.

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Canon 70D, 24-105mm f4 L, 100-400mm L
Canon M3, EF-M 11-22mm, EF-M 18-55mm

 Andy01's gear list:Andy01's gear list
Canon EOS M5 Canon 6D Mark II Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF 35mm F2 IS USM +5 more
MinAZ
MinAZ Veteran Member • Posts: 5,712
Re: Changed my first opinion... nice sensor, sssslow af

plantdoc wrote:

Just bought an M3 with adapter, EVF, and 18-55mm lens to replace a G15. My primary use will be for non action pics, such as travel and similar. For action, I have a 70D. Will AF with STM lenses be adequate? How about EF and EFs lenses. No so much concerned about speed as they were OK on my SL1 but AF accuracy. Found that some IQ issues I was experiencing were really AF issues front/back focus which was eliminated with live view. The 70D has AF micro adjust which I now consider a necessity for an optical finder and very fast live view for everything but action. However, the 70D is not what I want to carry around for some travel. Thanks

Greg

IIRC, mirrorless cameras don't suffer from front/back focus because they use contrast-detect to confirm focus (they may still use phase-detect for initial acquisition). But that doesn't mean it won't quickly and accurately focus on the wrong thing.

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