5Dm2 or 1Dm3: better lowlite AF?

bsaber wrote in post #7663913
I don't have a 1DIII but I have a 1DsII. And the 1DsII kills the 5D in terms of AF speed and accuracy. The 1DIII will only be better.

In a very dark reception hall, my 5d beats my 1dm2 easily. Obviously I am using flash, and it could be a factor of the AF assist not reaching far enough.

Anyway, I'll be looking for a used 1d3 within the next couple of months.

timbop wrote in post #7665980
In a very dark reception hall, my 5d beats my 1dm2 easily. Obviously I am using flash, and it could be a factor of the AF assist not reaching far enough.

Anyway, I'll be looking for a used 1d3 within the next couple of months.

Hm... my 1DsII beats the 5D every time low light without a flash's AF assist beam. In my experience at least. And from what I understand, the 1DsII and 1DII both have the same AF sensors.

hmmm. Last weekend my m2 had real trouble - to the point that a couple of times it wouldn't even lock on at all. That's why I started this poll in the first place.

OK, after going through the signatures of all the voters (many of you had no sig or your sig line doesn't list either), here is what the tally is as of this morning:

Of those voting for the 5d: 2 had both, 6 had only a 5d/5d2
Of those voting for the 1d3: 8 had both, 6 had only the 1d3, 4 had 5d's

So, 80% of those with both (what I was looking for) prefer the 1d3 for bad light.

I prefer FF and I don't need the frame rate so I bought the 5D Mk II. If the AF becomes an issue in low light, cheat; put a Speedlite on and disable the flash output in the camera. No more hunting. EVER!

timnosenzo wrote in post #7637533
Here's the trouble you'll have with this poll. There's not very many people who have extensive experience using both cameras in the setting you specify. So what most people will do is just vote with what they have, or what they think the best will be. Not terribly scientific.

Personally, I can't vote because I do not have much experience with a 1D MKIII in low light. However I do have a lot of experience with 5D's, and if you're happy with your 5D classic's AF, you should expect to be at least as happy with the 5D MKII's, as it's very much the same, but slightly better.

That is of course unless they have both, like I do. The AF with the 1D Mark III is unmatched when comparing to the 5D Mark II in any and every situation. The 5D Mark II image quality will beat the Mark III in just about every situation (even if it is just barely sometimes). If you are worried about AF, then the obvious choice is a 1D Mark III. Easy as that.

Everyone who goes to MF when the light gets really low and AF starts to hunt/miss raise their hand......

Sure...because all of us keep a speedlite in our wallets...

Kruzkal wrote in post #7670959
I prefer FF and I don't need the frame rate so I bought the 5D Mk II. If the AF becomes an issue in low light, cheat; put a Speedlite on and disable the flash output in the camera. No more hunting. EVER!

I've got a 1DMKIII and 5D MKI.
Assuming that the 5D MKII is similar (perhaps a touch better) to the MKI, my 1DMKIII blows it out of the water on non center AF points.

S.Horton wrote in post #7670986
Everyone who goes to MF when the light gets really low and AF starts to hunt/miss raise their hand......

Raising hand Although, it's so rare with the 1DsII.

Maybe we can assume that the newer camera (with better sensor) and more expensive it is (1DMK3). The better options they offer on the focus level and noise control in the dark.

nicksan wrote in post #7671525
Sure...because all of us keep a speedlite in our wallets...

Yes. Right next to the tripod and step ladder

The 5Ds center point is good in low light, the 1D IIs center point is as well with the outer points being poor. The 1D III would be the overall winner because its overall AF system is better in low light. I think all three are suitable for low light photography as long as you know your cameras weakness and strength and work around that.