5D Mk2 - who has one? (focussing)
Discussion
After using my 5D Mk2 at the weekend to shoot pictures at a country park, I'm starting to get pissed off with the autofocus (or lack thereof.)
More often than not I have to keep nudging the shutter button to get a decent lock. It's like it focusses to get it almost right but then just blinks away without 'finishing' and allowing me to take a shot, so I have to press and press to operate the autofocus again and again to gradually achieve focus lock.
Therefore, I'm wondering if mine has a problem or if all 5Ds are this useless.
A subject like... umm... a sign with large letters, black on white, should be one of the easiest subjects for a camera to focus, yet I have found my camera is hit and miss on even that. Many subjects like people, flowers and such like are also a problem where my 1n (film) would lock straight away. Car reg plates were a favourite of mine on the 1n, achieving a good solid focus right away but even these the 5D doesn't appear to lock properly on, or it's not quite sharp when it does.
I have turned on the custom function for the autofocus assist.
Of course, it's not every time that I have a problem and many shots are ok, but I can't help thinking something's not quite right when I have so much trouble achieving a lock on theoretically good subjects.
More often than not I have to keep nudging the shutter button to get a decent lock. It's like it focusses to get it almost right but then just blinks away without 'finishing' and allowing me to take a shot, so I have to press and press to operate the autofocus again and again to gradually achieve focus lock.
Therefore, I'm wondering if mine has a problem or if all 5Ds are this useless.
A subject like... umm... a sign with large letters, black on white, should be one of the easiest subjects for a camera to focus, yet I have found my camera is hit and miss on even that. Many subjects like people, flowers and such like are also a problem where my 1n (film) would lock straight away. Car reg plates were a favourite of mine on the 1n, achieving a good solid focus right away but even these the 5D doesn't appear to lock properly on, or it's not quite sharp when it does.
I have turned on the custom function for the autofocus assist.
Of course, it's not every time that I have a problem and many shots are ok, but I can't help thinking something's not quite right when I have so much trouble achieving a lock on theoretically good subjects.
What glass are you shooting with? I know Canons AF isn't quite up there with Nikons system but yours sounds like it has a problem if you're not shooting with a £100 ebay Sigma 18-400 type lens 
For what it's worth I went a played with a 5D MKII a few weeks ago and found the AF to be a little frustrating and I was using the amazing 85 1.2! But I was pushing it to the limit, it was pin sharp on normal subjects.
For what it's worth I went a played with a 5D MKII a few weeks ago and found the AF to be a little frustrating and I was using the amazing 85 1.2! But I was pushing it to the limit, it was pin sharp on normal subjects.
jon- said:
What glass are you shooting with? I know Canons AF isn't quite up there with Nikons system but yours sounds like it has a problem if you're not shooting with a £100 ebay Sigma 18-400 type lens
For what it's worth I went a played with a 5D MKII a few weeks ago and found the AF to be a little frustrating and I was using the amazing 85 1.2! But I was pushing it to the limit, it was pin sharp on normal subjects.
I am using the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM, the Tokina 20-35mm ATX PRO f/2.8, the Tokina 28-70mm ATX PRO f/2.8 and the Tokina 300 ATX PRO f/2.8 lenses. Not cheap stuff novice lenses, and worked absolutely perfectly with the 1n. There seems perfectly good communication between the camera and lens, so I think I can rule that out.For what it's worth I went a played with a 5D MKII a few weeks ago and found the AF to be a little frustrating and I was using the amazing 85 1.2! But I was pushing it to the limit, it was pin sharp on normal subjects.
Now, the 1n is more than 10 years old so I would have assumed that autofocussing systems, even on the semi-pro 5D series, would be as good, if not better, than something that was new in the 90s.
All the shots I have struggled with have been in good light - some moving subjects but most fairly static.
chris.mapey said:
Are you using a static focus point, or letting the camera choose one?
If latter, change to the former - problems will vanish
Have no idea how to do it on a Canon, as I shoot Nikon, but that would be my first point to check.
HTH
I usually shoot with just the central AF point active as I find it too hit and miss on what is in focus any other way. If that's what you mean...If latter, change to the former
- problems will vanish Have no idea how to do it on a Canon, as I shoot Nikon, but that would be my first point to check.
HTH
jon- said:
Are you friendly with the local camera shop and can you replicate the problem? I would personally try and either borrow some Canon glass or test another body to isolate the problem. You're right in thinking the AF routines have been somewhat upgraded since the 1n 
Well I bought the body in my local Jessops so I could take it back and discuss the problem, perhaps try other lenses.If anyone with a 5D Mk2 is going to be at the Sunday Service on Sunday in Salisbury, we could maybe meet up?
firstly firmware update if not done or you will get no support
nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
stigmundfreud said:
firstly firmware update if not done or you will get no support
nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have done the firmware update. As far as I can see, the fine tuning relates to making sure the AF is perfectly set up when it has a lock (i.e. is sharp), rather than my problem which seems to the AF system not being able to lock on.nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have tried single and full AF points on AI Servo, AI focus and One Shot and the problem is the same - many times it can't find a lock, even if the subject is well lit and contrasty. It almost gets there, flashes the light at me but just can't quite make the final step to lock. Very frustrating when the subject appears in focus but I'm not allowed to shoot.
After using my 1n, it just feels like something's not right.
Cheers.
ssray said:
Ring sigma and check compatability,canon will change stuff just to mess up sigma etc
Ray
Although I don't doubt that Canon would try to design out competitors, I mostly use my Tokina 28-70 and the problem appears the same on all the lenses, which suggests that it is to do with the camera rather than with the lenses.Ray
As I intimate above, it's like the AF system is failing.
But I would be interested to know how a Canon lens may fare, so I will wander into Jessops at some point.
V8S said:
many times it can't find a lock, even if the subject is well lit and contrasty. It almost gets there, flashes the light at me but just can't quite make the final step to lock. Very frustrating when the subject appears in focus but I'm not allowed to shoot.
Good description. That's exactly what I found with the Nikon D700 and a big reason why I stayed with the D200. Put simply, it works. I distinctly remember the time when the D700 wouldn't lock focus - I switiched to the D200 and got the shot.V8S said:
stigmundfreud said:
firstly firmware update if not done or you will get no support
nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have done the firmware update. As far as I can see, the fine tuning relates to making sure the AF is perfectly set up when it has a lock (i.e. is sharp), rather than my problem which seems to the AF system not being able to lock on.nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have tried single and full AF points on AI Servo, AI focus and One Shot and the problem is the same - many times it can't find a lock, even if the subject is well lit and contrasty. It almost gets there, flashes the light at me but just can't quite make the final step to lock. Very frustrating when the subject appears in focus but I'm not allowed to shoot.
After using my 1n, it just feels like something's not right.
Cheers.
stigmundfreud said:
V8S said:
stigmundfreud said:
firstly firmware update if not done or you will get no support
nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have done the firmware update. As far as I can see, the fine tuning relates to making sure the AF is perfectly set up when it has a lock (i.e. is sharp), rather than my problem which seems to the AF system not being able to lock on.nextly, no problems at all with AF, you can fine tune the AF though if you read the manual. Also it is possible that your lenses are the issue but I would switch out of AI Servo/Auto, switch to full AF points and try that.
I have tried single and full AF points on AI Servo, AI focus and One Shot and the problem is the same - many times it can't find a lock, even if the subject is well lit and contrasty. It almost gets there, flashes the light at me but just can't quite make the final step to lock. Very frustrating when the subject appears in focus but I'm not allowed to shoot.
After using my 1n, it just feels like something's not right.
Cheers.
The cn fo the helper af points will only work in AI servo, wont help any other time.
mkII's AF is the same as the old 5D, it has its detractors (for speed and no of points) but honesty (apart from realy low light) hasnt ever been reputed to miss the focus.
AF micro adjust wont help it acheive focus lock.
Only when I'm too close to the subject and inside the minimum focus distance for whichever lens is fitted. Focusing is otherwise fine for static shots. I haven't installed any firmware updates yet & do not use focus custom functions. My lenses are all Canon except for one Sigma fisheye.
I was going to suggest tweeking the AF microadjustment to see if that helps, but I see other posters dismiss this.
Pete
I was going to suggest tweeking the AF microadjustment to see if that helps, but I see other posters dismiss this.
Pete
Edited by Pete Baraka on Wednesday 5th August 22:05
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