7D MkII vs 80D

BigAl007 wrote in post #18330602
DPAF, Dual Pixel AF is a system that is only functional during Live View, and uses the main sensor for focusing. It is unrelated to the Phase Detect system that uses sensors placed in the floor of the mirror box. As I understand it when in LV mode the camera is able to use the extra AF pixels built into the sensor to perform Contrast Detect AF, even while the camera is recording video. As a system that is essentially performing CDAF it's limits are pretty much the same as far as aperture etc. goes, in that the limit is at the point where there is no longer sufficient contrast to perform measurement.

On checking the 5DIV spec's on the Canon UK website, it has information for the PDAF system relating to the working brightness range: -3 to 18 EV @ ISO 100, and the number of points, their orientation and details of accuracy and working f stop. Interestingly the PDAF system has no real details of its useable ranges.

What is important to remember is that as far as the maximum apertures for the PDAF system are concerned is that they are hard switched by the camera's firmware, so unless you do something like using a non reporting converter it is impossible to test the PDAF system at narrower apertures.

Alan

Basically: "what TeamSpeed said". DPAF is phase AF (my earlier comments will make more sense in that context).

Bassat wrote in post #18330621
I'm not sure this applies to what you guys are discussing, but... I just set my 80D to video. While it was recording I set the aperture to f/25 @ 18mm, and f/36 @ 55mm. It still focuses just fine. I don't see a difference in AF speed. Well, DPAF is naturally slow. But it was working. That is DPAF, isn't it? I verified that the lens is stopping down, if you were wondering.

That's an excellent question. DPAF on the 80D is impressively fast. Maybe the camera is currently configured to use contrast AF?

sploo wrote in post #18331136
That's an excellent question. DPAF on the 80D is impressively fast. Maybe the camera is currently configured to use contrast AF?

Got me. I just use it.

Bassat wrote in post #18331260
Got me. I just use it.

I've not played with DPAF or video on either the 80D or 5D4 much at all, but I do recall having some AF issues in liveview on the 5D4 when I first got it, and it turned out to be because I'd managed to change a (liveview) focusing setting to something inappropriate.

Your point about video with a small aperture is a good one though; if DPAF has an f-stop limit (like phase AF through the viewfinder) then it does mean you could AF then shoot a stopped down still, but find that AF didn't work when shooting video. It's not something I'm going to get chance to test for a few days, but it's certainly got me wondering.

Then too....based on the rumor mill the 6D Mark II may be an option shortly.

I'd imagine Canon would use dual pixel technology for the new 6d mk2. I'd be quite certain that Canon will still only have one memory card slot just to be there typical jerk move to detune.

I shoot a mix of BIF, landscape, nature, macro and abstract. Every time I have myself convinced that I'm going to get the 7DII because it would be better for my BIF shots, I run into a situation like yesterday when shooting a waterfall where the flippy tilty screen on my 60D was invaluable and I couldn't have gotten some of the shots without it. Now I'm leaning towards the 80D again.

shane_c wrote in post #18348224
I shoot a mix of BIF, landscape, nature, macro and abstract. Every time I have myself convinced that I'm going to get the 7DII because it would be better for my BIF shots, I run into a situation like yesterday when shooting a waterfall where the flippy tilty screen on my 60D was invaluable and I couldn't have gotten some of the shots without it. Now I'm leaning towards the 80D again.

For everything in your list (but BIF) I'd argue the 80D might be a better choice, due to its greatly superior low ISO DR. For fps, AF, and high iso, the 7D2 would be the winner. Unless of course if you were doing BIF with a 100-400II and a 1.4x TC; in which case the 80D's better f/8 AF would be compelling.

My understanding is that the 7D2 would be better for my 400mm 5.6 with 1.4x because it would allow f8 focusing at centre point plus the helpers. The 80D only allows centre point with this combo.

Either camera though would be better for BIF
than my 60D with it's total of 9 focus points and poor AI Servo.

shane_c wrote in post #18348462
My understanding is that the 7D2 would be better for my 400mm 5.6 with 1.4x because it would allow f8 focusing at centre point plus the helpers. The 80D only allows centre point with this combo.

That would appear to be correct; page 2 on http://www.learn.usa.c​anon.com …16/eos-80D/af_at_f8.shtml

sploo wrote in post #18348420
. . . the 80D's better f/8 AF would be compelling.

shane_c wrote in post #18348462
My understanding is that the 7D2 would be better for my 400mm 5.6 with 1.4x because it would allow f8 focusing at centre point plus the helpers. The 80D only allows centre point with this combo.

Now I am really confused about which camera is better at f8 autofocusing.

.

Just for giggles, I mounted my 100-400Lc/1.4X II on the 80D. Yes it does AF at f/8, with the center point only. Works OK, I guess, for OneShot. I didn't even try AI-Servo. Technically f/8 works. LiveView Manual focus would be more reliable, and perhaps faster.

EDIT:
I was outdoors in bright sunshine.

Bassat wrote in post #18348979
Just for giggles, I mounted my 100-400Lc/1.4X II on the 80D. Yes it does AF at f/8, with the center point only. Works OK, I guess, for OneShot. I didn't even try AI-Servo. Technically f/8 works. LiveView Manual focus would be more reliable, and perhaps faster.

EDIT:
I was outdoors in bright sunshine.

I would think LV with that combination would be a bit cumbersome to manage? Would be interesting to try though!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18349018
I would think LV with that combination would be a bit cumbersome to manage? Would be interesting to try though!

Maybe its just me, but I almost NEED a tripod with 400mm + 1.4X + crop body. Very unstable.

I went around yesterday morning for about 30 minutes with the 150-600, that was fun (not really). I was standing next to some trees to hide from the birds so that they would land near me. Basically you just support the lens, the body is along for the ride.