1d MkIIN - AF reaction speed

Ok, so the new2me mk2N is giving me frustration. I go to press the shutter, waiting on that AF to kick in...and it seems to pause. I count EASY - 1-mississi -> then she locks fast. It's like a delayed reaction to pushing the shutter. Compared to my 5d, she's about 1/2 as slow. Is this normal on everyone's 1d mkIIs?

Also, in the custom functions, the AI-servo tracking sensitivity...what is the best, all purpose setting you guys are using?

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I have that CF set to 1, to prevent the AF from locking onto backgrounds too quickly if my tracking of birds or whatever drifts.

Which lens is the AF delay with? That is definitely not normal -- mine is so fast it seems instantaneous if there is good contrast, slower if not, but NEVER "pausing" like you describe.

sheawyatt wrote in post #7655234
I have that CF set to 1, to prevent the AF from locking onto backgrounds too quickly if my tracking of birds or whatever drifts.

Which lens is the AF delay with? That is definitely not normal -- mine is so fast it seems instantaneous if there is good contrast, slower if not, but NEVER "pausing" like you describe.

+1....exactly the same.

I've been experimenting with it using my 35 and 70-200. Don't believe it is lens dependent. The delay is when I depress the shutter half way...wait...and then the AF motor starts. Once it does, it's instantaneous...just the pause between shutter depress and go-AF. Make sense?

...shutter lag, perhaps that is what I am trying to convey here

No, shutter lag isn't it... wrong definition. I hope you know what I am trying to ask.

Try using the verticle grip shutter button and see if it has the same delay. You may have a button problem top side.

Are you trying the focus in doors in not so good light? The 5D smokes the 1DIIn in focus acquisition in low light conditions. Try outside and you'll see a total different 1DIIn.

If you're tracking a moving object set it to AI servo, press half way to start tracking (it won't start unless you do) and press fully to shoot the frame. No DSLR I've owned can AF, meter, & shoot instantly once the button was pressed fully. The same applies if using the * button for focusing.

Thanks for the tips on the Cfn-20 guys, will try that. Hogloff, I think you nailed it, I have been using it in low light and using the flash AF assist, but once I used it in brighter conditions, the AF reaction speed improved dramatically. Mucho appreciated guys!

Set it to slow.

Goes against every fiber of my being to set something on this 1d to 'slow' but I have, and will give it a go. thanks again.

H20boy wrote in post #7660355
Goes against every fiber of my being to set something on this 1d to 'slow' but I have, and will give it a go. thanks again.

This setting has nothing to do with AF speed. It just tells the camera how long to wait before it refocusses (For instance if your subject is blocked by something in the foreground)

A 1D with a speedlight attached will take a while to focus in low light...
ISTR that Chuck Westfall commented on that once on the Rob Galbraith forums; could take up to a second or so.

It's an IS lens, isn't it? The IS unit takes up to .9 seconds to spin up, before you can even attempt to focus. I have sworn off IS for that reason. I already have enough trouble without adding that.

Yeah the 1D II isn't the hottest thing in low light.

At any rate, check out the Personal Functions. Specifically Pfn 14. It can turn off focus search, which means the lens won't hunt. It'll just sit still until it can definitely lock on.