5D f/4 AF vs 30D AF vs 40D

Ok, so I used to have a 40D with 24-70, and the AF was so good, that there wasn't a massive jump moving from the 40D to 1DMk2. I've since got rid of both, and now have a 30D with all f/4 lenses. One thing I've noticed is that the AF on the 30D is much more 'hesitant' than on the 40D, or 1DM2.

How does the AF on the 5D compare? It has the AF assist points, but it's the initial wait while the camera locks on I'm concerned with - how does it compare with f/4 lenses?

I used the 24-105L on my 5D and it was pin point accurate @ f/4. Produced very sharp and precise results. Seemed to work a lot better when comparing it against my 400D.
Sadly, not been able to compare to a 30D.

You should have tried out the combo when I came around. :P

I'm not concerned about the IQ when focus is achieved, but, there's a noticeable lag before it starts trying to focus when it's not bang on. I guess a way of describing it, is if on the 1D you have it set to ring of fire, it also has a slight lag, whereas selecting the centre point is immediate.

I've been manually selecting the focus point, and once it gets going it's fine.

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Hmmm....when im free one day, ill let you know and ill pop round, you can give it a try with my ex-lens.

My 5D hunts a bit more in low light than the 40D. I noticed this with the 135L (f/2) in this situation where I was shooting ISO3200. f/2, 1/100th sec (dark indeed). It would rack back and forth a bit - never saw that with the 40D.

forgive the purple beard - I cant seem to lose the color of the light on his white beard.

elysium wrote in post #6085379
Hmmm....when im free one day, ill let you know and ill pop round, you can give it a try with my ex-lens.

Thanks - that'd be really good. Otherwise I can meet you in town if it's more convenient.

Hehe, I quite like that purple beard! I'm not too fussed about really low light - but in relatively low light levels - like in the shot I posted above, it just waits for a fraction of a second before starting to focus. My concern was just that the 5D came out before the 30D, and so its AF system is getting a little old now.

elader wrote in post #6085384
My 5D hunts a bit more in low light than the 40D. I noticed this with the 135L (f/2) in this situation where I was shooting ISO3200. f/2, 1/100th sec (dark indeed). It would rack back and forth a bit - never saw that with the 40D.

forgive the purple beard - I cant seem to lose the color of the light on his white beard.

I've had my 40D about two weeks now. Previously I had a 30D, and yes, it's been my experience that the 40D does auto focus more quickly than the 30D did.

Lou

goatee wrote in post #6085307
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How does the AF on the 5D compare? It has the AF assist points, but it's the initial wait while the camera locks on I'm concerned with - how does it compare with f/4 lenses?

The center point of the 5D is accurate, but its noticably slower than the 40D. The 40D also seems to have more accurate outer AF points; I only trust the center point of the 5D. The 40D focus feels almost instant with USM lenses, with the 5D there is a lag. Its one of the things I hope that the 5D II improves upon.

Thanks for the feedback. Well, hopefully we'll find out soon enough .

I went from the 30D to the 5D. Focusing using centre point on the 30D is similar to focusing centre with the 5D. The difference is frame rate, but otherwise not huge difference between the 30 and 5. However I can't say anything about the 40D.

My 5D focused more accurately than the 40D, but the 40D focuses faster.

I received the 40D back from Canon last Thursday, and this was one of the things supposed to be fixed, so maybe AF accuracy has improved. I'll see.

Kind regards, Wim

wimg wrote in post #6086517
My 5D focused more accurately than the 40D, but the 40D focuses faster.

I received the 40D back from Canon last Thursday, and this was one of the things supposed to be fixed, so maybe AF accuracy has improved. I'll see.

Have you noticed any difference thus far since you got it back?

Speaking from experience, 30D AF is same as 5D.

Comparing F2.8 lens on 40D to F4 lens on 30D/5D, the differece will be large. If you put F2.8 lens on both, center AF point accuracy will be the same. 40D will be probably faster

goatee wrote in post #6085307
Ok, so I used to have a 40D with 24-70, and the AF was so good, that there wasn't a massive jump moving from the 40D to 1DMk2. I've since got rid of both, and now have a 30D with all f/4 lenses. One thing I've noticed is that the AF on the 30D is much more 'hesitant' than on the 40D, or 1DM2.

How does the AF on the 5D compare? It has the AF assist points, but it's the initial wait while the camera locks on I'm concerned with - how does it compare with f/4 lenses?

eelnoraa wrote in post #6087006
Speaking from experience, 30D AF is same as 5D.

My experience was completely different. Though i have the 20D for comparison. I could never trust the 20D at f/2. Not even the central. The 5D is MUCH more accurate then my 20D. Around 85-90% spot on at f/2 using the central. As for speed i can't tell much of a difference, it's never been a problem. One other thing I've noticed is that the 5D is much better in Servo too. Must be the 6 hidden assist points.