Which Canon has the best AF?

Is 1D4 and 1Ds3 AF the same?

Is ID AF better than 7D?

I want to understand the top end of the range better. Please explain to me.

1D4 AF is different from the 1D3S. More manually selectable focus points, different (and I guess faster) software, better predictive focus, better tracking.... The list goes on

1D4 is better than 7D in virtually every respect. More focus points, more cross type focus points, can AF with f8 lenses, better tracking, more user configuration possible, etc, etc

The only advantage of the 7D is that you can select the "spot" focus option with any lens. On the 1D4 you need to have a super tele with AF stop buttons which you can then reconfigure to get the spot focus

So, I guess the best AF Canon make at the moment is on the 1D4 although some people have complained about poor locking ability in low light/low contrast situations

1D4 for anything other then low light, low light shooting = 1DIII.

Its interesting that the AF failures that people complained about in the 1dIII, make it probably the best low light focusing camera among canon/nikon current models.

If you only shoot with the centre AF, heck the 5D2 is good

If you tell us what you want to shoot, you will get better advice.

EOS_uk wrote in post #11866323
1D4 for anything other then low light, low light shooting = 1DIII.

Its interesting that the AF failures that people complained about in the 1dIII, make it probably the best low light focusing camera among canon/nikon current models.

If you only shoot with the centre AF, heck the 5D2 is good

If you tell us what you want to shoot, you will get better advice.

It is not a specific request I just want to understand as much as possible about AF across the range.

Is the AF on 1D3 and 1Ds3 the same?

Let me tell you this. Saying the 1DIII and good AF is an oxymoron

smorter wrote in post #11866469
Let me tell you this. Saying the 1DIII and good AF is an oxymoron

he he he, at least it works on non sunny days

Now the 5DII and outer AF points... maybe they work underwater... probably the only place I have not tried yet.

The 1D4 AF system has been modified from the 1D3 and 1DS3 bodies. All three work exceptionally well. I've not shot with the 1D4 but my 1D3 bodies are head and shoulders better than my previous 5D's.

EOS_uk wrote in post #11866323
1D4 for anything other then low light, low light shooting = 1DIII.

This...

nicksan wrote in post #11867314
This...

All depends on your definition of low light. I don't shoot no contrast targets in the dark so I don't have any low light issues with my 1DIV.

Is the 1d4 that bad in low light? Or is the 1d3 just exceptionally good? If I were to switch from my XSi to a 1d4 for low light AF, would I notice a drop in speed? Because I've always wondered whether it was actually bad, or it was just bad to people spoiled by GREAT AF.

HKGuns wrote in post #11868295
All depends on your definition of low light. I don't shoot no contrast targets in the dark so I don't have any low light issues with my 1DIV.

f2.8 1/160 ISO12800 low to medium contrast. Actually it probably doesn't have to be that low.

What's yours?

edmyloo wrote in post #11868324
Is the 1d4 that bad in low light? Or is the 1d3 just exceptionally good? If I were to switch from my XSi to a 1d4 for low light AF, would I notice a drop in speed? Because I've always wondered whether it was actually bad, or it was just bad to people spoiled by GREAT AF.

The combination of low light and low contrast is what gave the 1D4 I used to own problems. The 5DMKII (center AF point) was actually better and the 1DMKIII has no suck issues, period.

1D4 but the 7D is very good and more than adequate for most uses. If you can't get good results with the 7D, it is prolly user error, poor lenses, or you are taking shots of some really nuts action.

nicksan wrote in post #11868553
The 5DMKII (center AF point) was actually better and the 1DMKIII has no suck issues, period.

LOL--great Freudian slip.

^lol!