Focus comparison between 1d3 and 5d2, question

Bear with me, I'm on my phone while cooking supper. I was shooting stationary subjects with both the 5d2 and 1d3 with a flash, ISO 100, same aperture and shutter speed. The 5d2 was sharp whereas the 1d3 was not. Am I expecting too much from the 1d3. I always heard how bad the 5d2 was at AF where the 1d cameras were smoking. What gives? I'll get pics up after I eat.

If you're using center-point, single-shot, they will have identical focus. The issue with 5D focus stems from the outer points and the fairly slow AF lock speed, not the center point in good light.

Are you sure it's a focus issue? Different cameras require different post processing. When I got a 40D, I thought it was horribly soft, but it just needs a good kick in the tail in the sharpening department.

There is the chance that your focus is off slightly with the 1D3 and that you might need to do a little microadjusting.

The 1D3 should be far more capable overall at focus than the 5D, but it can be a bit of a challenge to get used to. You should also verify that it falls in a serial number range after the focus fix.

^ What he said. The different cameras need different post processing.
I may just be technique.

It is in the affected serials, but I have the paper from canon where the repair was done. I'll get comparative photos up in a minute.

Here's a couple quick shots. Kids got me busy tonight.

first with mkiii

Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

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Both look good to me.

Here's some SOOC. Just sharpened standard by LR and by Export for Screen sharpening. Ideas? Thoughts? thanks!

Exposure 0.003 sec (1/300)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 1000
Exposure Bias -1/3 EV
Flash On, Fired
Focus on Door handles

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lawdog2k wrote in post #13762843
Here's a couple quick shots. Kids got me busy tonight.

first with mkiii

Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

1dmkiii-1 by ronnieyeates2, on Flickr

Then with 5dmkii

Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

5dmkii-2 by ronnieyeates2, on Flickr


You can click and go to my flickr to see full-size…. I don't wanna get in trouble for humongous pictures. So, with these quick shots, is the 1diii going to be that much softer than the 5dmkii? am i just expecting more than I should… I'm going to shoot more pictures when I have better light and don't have to depend on a flash. But, I was thinking these things were beast when it came to focus.

Am I needing to customize the functions a bit to get what I am expecting? I shot those with center point, one shot, with ETTL, focusing just on the left edge of the badge.

Not the same photo. You were closer with the 1DMkIII, so your depth of field is going to be narrower. I see that it's tack sharp at points. Can you show us a screen capture of where the focus point is striking?

lawdog2k wrote in post #13763077
Here's some SOOC. Just sharpened standard by LR and by Export for Screen sharpening. Ideas? Thoughts? thanks!

Exposure 0.003 sec (1/300)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 1000
Exposure Bias -1/3 EV
Flash On, Fired
Focus on Door handles

Exposure 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture f/2.0
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 2000
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
focus on his right eye (camera left)


Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 2000
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
focus to right of badge


Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 2000
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
focus on left eye (camera right)

Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
focus on her face

I didn't re-post the images to save bandwidth, but they all look great to me.

One more question.....

Have you done a micro focus adjust with that same lens on both cameras?
When you try that shot with the hat again, mount your camera on a tripod, and make sure your subject doesn't move.
Take your shot, then change cameras on the tripod and re-shoot. Let's compare those two images.

Also take both shots with manual focusing in Live View (on a tripod) using x10 magnification to make sure it is the AF and not the camera/sensor.

For the record the 50 1.4 wide open isn't known for being exceedingly sharp. Pick a different lens or stop down to F2 for a better comparison.

Killjoy wrote in post #13763259
Not the same photo. You were closer with the 1DMkIII, so your depth of field is going to be narrower. I see that it's tack sharp at points. Can you show us a screen capture of where the focus point is striking?

The cameras were right about the same distance from the hat. Hat didnt move, cameras at darn near same spot on desk. There is a difference in frame between the two.

I'll have to figure out a way to mount the 1d3 because all I have are ball heads with rrs clamps. I didn't want to buy a 180 l plate before I decided to keep he camera.

I've done no microadjustments on either camera.

I'll take 1d to car show this weekend and shoot with 24-70 or 24-105 and see what I get.

Thanks for the input. I'll do some more tinkering.

If there is a problem, it is probably user error. My 1dmarkIII is my main body for shooting fast moving cycling races. The speed and accuracy the body can pickup the subjects while moving fast and at close range will scare the crap out of you. This is one thing I will not subject my 5dmarkII to. It is just inhuman...

it could very well be a lens/body combination "issue". I use quotes because it does focus well.
a little microadjust could be all you need.