1DMk2N Speed of Focusing

I have recently moved up from a 20D to a 1DMk2N. There is so much to learn! A lot of it is certainly intuitive - and I guess I need to spend some serious time RTFM!

However, there is one issue tonight that is bugging me. I always thought that a 1d's focusing would be lightning fast (as well as accurate) - but my 20D seems to beat it hands down.

I know it's not a scientific test, but simply sitting tonight, in a not-too-brightly-lit-room, with a 550ex mounted on top, pointing the camera around the room from item to item, at varying distances from the camera, the 20D emits its "lock-on" beep almost the instant I half-press the button. Yet the 1d just seems to be that bit behind it. I can just "feel" that its slower. Is there an obvious reason for this?

I know theres a massive amount to learn, but am I missing something with maybe one of the settings. It doesn't seem to matter whether I have it on 45 point, 11 point, 9 point, Centre point etc etc, it just seems that tad slower at focusing.

Everything else about the camera is a dream - total pleasure to use, but you know how it is - you spend a lot of money on a new toy, and want it to be right.

I know someone out there is going to jump to my aid. Don't hang back - speak up!

Thank you so much.

TJ

This is a good place to start:
http://polisphotograph​y.com …gesforweb/EOS_D​igital.pdf

TeeJay wrote in post #2272553
I have recently moved up from a 20D to a 1DMk2N. There is so much to learn! A lot of it is certainly intuitive - and I guess I need to spend some serious time RTFM!

However, there is one issue tonight that is bugging me. I always thought that a 1d's focusing would be lightning fast (as well as accurate) - but my 20D seems to beat it hands down.

I know it's not a scientific test, but simply sitting tonight, in a not-too-brightly-lit-room, with a 550ex mounted on top, pointing the camera around the room from item to item, at varying distances from the camera, the 20D emits its "lock-on" beep almost the instant I half-press the button. Yet the 1d just seems to be that bit behind it. I can just "feel" that its slower. Is there an obvious reason for this?

I know theres a massive amount to learn, but am I missing something with maybe one of the settings. It doesn't seem to matter whether I have it on 45 point, 11 point, 9 point, Centre point etc etc, it just seems that tad slower at focusing.

Everything else about the camera is a dream - total pleasure to use, but you know how it is - you spend a lot of money on a new toy, and want it to be right.

I know someone out there is going to jump to my aid. Don't hang back - speak up!

Thank you so much.

TJ

Do you have C.Fn-17 set to something other than 0?

Thanks for the link coreypolis, I do have a copy of that document, it's just me trying to understand how the camera might work, and which page might relate to what it's (or I) am doing wrong.

Incidently, I have One Shot AF set, so the AF assist is active on both cameras.

TJ

PacAce wrote in post #2272605
Do you have C.Fn-17 set to something other than 0?

Hang on, I'll have a look......

No, it is zero (Thats the Single AF point I mentioned above)

i think the 20d focus is better in low light than the 1d so that might be why this is happerning but dont be suprised if even in bright light there is not much diffrence between the focus speed of the 2 cameras there is very little diffrence imho having said that the 1d has lots going for it in othere ways but to me the 1dmk2 is not as good as people think it is - or should i say the focus is only a little better in speed to the 20d and 400d 2 camera's iv conpared it with.Not the N but the 1dmk2.
Rob

ping one 1 series owner its a lot faster dont know why you are having this problem are you using the same lense ?? also instead of wafting it around use a fixed target

Also, try it on AI servo. I have noticed that in some lighting situations, the One Shot mode tends to focus slower.

coreypolis wrote in post #2272708

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I'd start running, the 1 series owners are coming for you

It is actually better, I'm not sure why this individual is having this problem, but 99 times out of 100 the owner will say it is faster.

when i first got my 1dmk2 i thought it was a fair bit faster but were things equal out a bit is when you use top glass on say the 20d.
A 300f2.8 brings out the best from the 20d and also the 1dmk2 BUT it also closes the gap on focus speed between the camers well thats what iv found .
i use a 400d as well as my mk2 but i dont keep changing Lenses just to use the mk2, i Only do that if i need more than 3fps with a certain lens .
Rob

I got to play with a couple of 1 series cameras recently - the 1DSII and the 1DIIN - and i was staggered at how much faster AF was on both bodies, with lenses like the 70-200 f/2.8 IS and the 24-105 IS, over my 20D
It was almost like the camera could read my mind, focus was so fast.
Mine was hardly an objective test though - and I was rather overcome by having these wonderful bits of kit in my sweaty mitts... but I do remember being staggered at how fast they were.

Thanks for your help guys - maybe now isn't the time (10:20pm) for further extensive testing. I'll try again tomorrow, in daylight, and try the comparison again. I'll keep you posted.

TJ

I know that for me, with indoor sports, the 20D misfocused enough to make me frustrated, and the 1DN almost never does. see >>>this<<< thread.

Well, from my sports shooting with two bodies(1DMKII and 30D), i'm defintely wanting to shoot more with my 1DMKII. Why? Because the body responds better. And many of these events are night time games or indoor in the gym.

It takes time though to get used to the camera. But i will say if i had to pick one of the two to keep for a sports shoot, i'd hang on to the 1DMKII.

DavidEB wrote in post #2274343
I know that for me, with indoor sports, the 20D misfocused enough to make me frustrated, and the 1DN almost never does. see >>>this<<< thread.

Thanks David, I'll have a read

grego wrote in post #2274881
Well, from my sports shooting with two bodies(1DMKII and 30D), i'm defintely wanting to shoot more with my 1DMKII. Why? Because the body responds better. And many of these events are night time games or indoor in the gym.

It takes time though to get used to the camera. But i will say if i had to pick one of the two to keep for a sports shoot, i'd hang on to the 1DMKII.

Thanks grego, I guess it's like anything new (especially anything connected with photography) you want to get the best out of it straight out of the box! and the slightest thing that doesn't seem "just right" makes you stop and wonder whether spending all that money was the right choice (I'm CERTAIN it was!) - but I should know better that it just doesn't happen without some RTFM