1DMk2N Speed of Focusing

The 20D would beat the 1D to a focus beep if the focus was actually almost in focus and the 1D was completely off. and Vice versa. It has probably been covered but 9 times out of 10 its the stupiditly obvious things.

I can't say for sure.. cuz I don't have a 1D yet, but isn't the AF speed dependant on the AF motor on the lens? I have a Tamron 75-300 that takes about 5 minutes(slight exagerration) to go from minimum distance to infinity and I doubt highly that would change going from one camera to another.

The lens makes a difference, but so does the camera. Your Tamron on a 1D IIn might only need 4 min. to reach infinity focus.

Only if they got a good copy.

The AF system on the 1D is far more complex and customizable to your specific shooting needs. No one setting (or set of many complex settings) is best for all applications. Until you have some idea how to tweek these things, you are not taking full advantage of the 1 series AF. It's once you get the beast dialed in for the specific requirements of your current shoot that the 1D starts to not on,y pull ahead fo the 20D, but in fact leave it in the dust (tracking birds in flight, focusing on smaller more specific areas like the eye as opposed to the entire subject, etc.. )

Take a look at the EOS sticky FAQ thread, look at the custom functions and AF setting we use on the 1D and try some. (and those SI settings are very good place to start .. especially for the intended subject matter)

Again, most of these settings for AF are not even available on the 20D, get to know your camera, in 6 months maybe you'll see.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #2278166
The AF system on the 1D is far more complex and customizable to your specific shooting needs. No one setting (or set of many complex settings) is best for all applications. Until you have some idea how to tweek these things, you are not taking full advantage of the 1 series AF. It's once you get the beast dialed in for the specific requirements of your current shoot that the 1D starts to not on,y pull ahead fo the 20D, but in fact leave it in the dust (tracking birds in flight, focusing on smaller more specific areas like the eye as opposed to the entire subject, etc.. )

Take a look at the EOS sticky FAQ thread, look at the custom functions and AF setting we use on the 1D and try some. (and those SI settings are very good place to start .. especially for the intended subject matter)

Again, most of these settings for AF are not even available on the 20D, get to know your camera, in 6 months maybe you'll see.

Thank you. You are so right. Maybe I jumped a little too soon (no on second thoughts - delete the "maybe") before giving my learning curve a chance!

Once again, to everyone - as always - thanks!

And finaly?.....

fstop11.net wrote in post #2276792
The 20D would beat the 1D to a focus beep if the focus was actually almost in focus and the 1D was completely off. and Vice versa. It has probably been covered but 9 times out of 10 its the stupiditly obvious things.

With both bodies I was comparing a near (maybe 4ft) to far (30ft) re-focusing, and back again.

forkball wrote in post #2276813
I can't say for sure.. cuz I don't have a 1D yet, but isn't the AF speed dependant on the AF motor on the lens? I have a Tamron 75-300 that takes about 5 minutes(slight exagerration) to go from minimum distance to infinity and I doubt highly that would change going from one camera to another.

I was using my 24-70 2.8L for the comparison. - albeit in fairly low light.

TJ