5dmk3 low light AF

My camera would be here in a week but got some question about AF in low light. Last night I was shooting with 5dc and 5dmk2 and having very hard time to focus on Model's face. Only lighting was back street lights. Was using strobes but modelling light doesn't work well when using VML. Maybe I look for changing lamps in my Einstein's but I am hoping the new camera would help.

5D3 is very different focus wise.
Even at low light you can focus, as most points are cross-type, and the middle ones are double cross, which helps.

But note that it really depends on the lens. Some lenses does not allow the utilization of the double-cross type.

At least the 5D2, only has one cross-type focus point in the middle. So any other point will not focus as good.

So far with the 24-105, and especially with the 70-200, I had not issues focusing in very low light situations.

most my lenses are good, 35L, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 70-200mm f2.8 IS. II and 300mm f2.8 is.

the 25 watt bulb for the einstein helps significantly when using the vml when you need to focus outdoors.

Low light af is much better in my experience.

bobbyz wrote in post #14687210
My camera would be here in a week but got some question about AF in low light. Last night I was shooting with 5dc and 5dmk2 and having very hard time to focus on Model's face. Only lighting was back street lights. Was using strobes but modelling light doesn't work well when using VML. Maybe I look for changing lamps in my Einstein's but I am hoping the new camera would help.

I run ONE modeling lamp per VLM all the time.
I run it FULL and not TRACK and it works just fine.
More than one modeling lamp per VLM and you get some kind of phase thing that makes the modeling lamps blink in an alternating fashion.

The people I know with the 5DIII say it's low light AF is outstanding, surpassing the 1D4.

Low light focusing will be better than the 5DC and 5D2. Look at the specs.

5D3
AF Working Range
EV -2 - 18

5D2
AF Working Range
EV -0.5-18

Kechar wrote in post #14688347
I run ONE modeling lamp per VLM all the time.
I run it FULL and not TRACK and it works just fine.
More than one modeling lamp per VLM and you get some kind of phase thing that makes the modeling lamps blink in an alternating fashion.

I had VML smelling bad and getting very hot when doing so. And I only run one light per VML.

c2thew wrote in post #14687690
the 25 watt bulb for the einstein helps significantly when using the vml when you need to focus outdoors.

Do you know which 25W will fit Einstein?

windpig wrote in post #14688585
The people I know with the 5DIII say it's low light AF is outstanding, surpassing the 1D4.

I would have to say it is. I just shot a wedding where at times it was fairly dark and the 5d mkiii locked quicker than the mkiv. The only complaint is with the af point being a black square in the 5d and not lighting up in ai servo mode. There are work arounds, but slightly annoying.