5d Classic Focus Question

I'm intrigued by full-frame cameras and know that the AF on the 5D will be subpar compared to my 1DII. So, my question is if I plan on using as a spare and lightweight option when shooting my kids (2 & 4) it should be able to handle that chore, right?

Center point will be fine. I wouldn't trust the outer points.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16219679
Center point will be fine. I wouldn't trust the outer points.

This. Either focus with the center point and recompose, DOF permitting, or shoot wide and crop in post. That's how I shot my 5D with my 2 year old. I just upgraded to a 5DIII and my keeper rate has gone WAY up, especially in servo mode. The 5D's focusing does require some technique to compensate for its shortcomings.

I owned a 5D (the first one) from about 2008 until last year when I gave it to my daughter.

In good light, all nine focus points work OK. They are grouped so tightly to the center of the frame that there are few points available for off-center focus, but there you are.

In low light the off center points fall apart pretty fast. They hunt and miss. The center point continues to work pretty well even in low light.

The center point (with 6 helpers) is also very competent in tracking action in servo mode. The other 8 points are not especially good for servo focus.

As a little backstory, I owned and loved my 5D but often wished for a better focus system. I had high hopes for the 5D Mark II and I'll admit to being a little disillusioned when the focus was unchanged (and the Nikon D700 was launched with a waaaaaaaay better focus system at the same time).

My solution then was a 1D Mark III, which taught me what a good focus system could do. I've since used a 1D4 and 5D3, and I really do not think I could be happy with the focus system of the 5D/5D2 again. It is just way too compromised.