Downside of staying in AI Servo mode?

I often want to shoot lots of photos of kids playing. Is there a downside to keeping my 5DM3 in AI Servo mode even when I am shooting photos of non moving subjects?

Thanks.

southwestform wrote in post #18134684
I often want to shoot lots of photos of kids playing. Is there a downside to keeping my 5DM3 in AI Servo mode even when I am shooting photos of non moving subjects?

Thanks.

For me it's the loss of the red indication and the beep. I think it doesn't do it in SERVO?

Most Canon cameras (the 1DX is a documented exception, and I would think models like the 1DX Mark II and 5D Mark IV are too) are less sensitive in low light when using Servo AF.
All models lack AF assist light in Servo AF.
The camera will usually take a photo in Servo AF mode, even if focusing was impossible. This will not happen, or can be selected not to happen, in One Shot AF.

No major ones that I'm aware of. I keep my 7d in Servo all the time; except when I'm shooting landscapes.

I leave my 7DII in AI Servo but have the AE Lock button reprogrammed to switch to One Shot. I just press both AF-ON and * to get One Shot.

Mine are AE Servo 95% of the time.

southwestform wrote in post #18134684
...even when I am shooting photos of non moving subjects?

Nit picking: Unless you're using a tripod, you're probably moving.
OTOH, I might use One-Shot if the f-stop was high enough to have good depth of focus.

Focus and re-compose when using Servo AF does of course require that you use back button focusing. You have to let go of the focusing button before you re-compose. Doing so implies that you don't get the ability to see where the AF points is in the picture, once it's taken. Not important to most people, but that's how it is, at least.

Lack of af assist from your flash?

southwestform wrote in post #18134684
I often want to shoot lots of photos of kids playing. Is there a downside to keeping my 5DM3 in AI Servo mode even when I am shooting photos of non moving subjects?

Thanks.

I do exactly this. My camera is in AI Servo 90%+. I have programmed the DOF Preview button to switch me to One Shot should I ever need it. It truly depends on what camera model you have though, this will not work with all cameras, Canon has improved AF performance and behavior with AI Servo through the different models. It also depends on what glass you have. Many 3rd party lenses will "jitter" on static subjects with AI Servo, they are not sure-footed. Many of Canon's USM lenses however will lock focus and not move.

So it ultimately depends on your camera model and glass, IMO. The 5D3 is a good body to do this with, but again feed it good glass (regarding AF mechansims).

cubatahavana wrote in post #18134692
For me it's the loss of the red indication and the beep. I think it doesn't do it in SERVO?

The red indication is important to me too.
But I always turn the beep off as soon as I get a new camera.

It would be a very long beep in Servo AF, as it keeps tracking for ever. Well, provided tracking doesn't fail, of course. Which is the only time it actually can give you a beep.

southwestform wrote in post #18134684
I often want to shoot lots of photos of kids playing. Is there a downside to keeping my 5DM3 in AI Servo mode even when I am shooting photos of non moving subjects?

Thanks.

Many keep their cameras in AI Servo most or even all the time. I tend to switch back and forth as the situation dictates.

1DX and 7D2 here.

I shoot in servo (I rarely bother to to change to single shot) - can't see any difference so I don't worry about it! Previous bodies had a tendency to "Hunt", in servo mode, on static subjects but these two don't.

I keep my cameras in Servo almost 100% of the time. With the L lenses I own, anyway, there's never been a problem. I have release priority set to Focus, always.