24L II, 35L, 50L, & 85L II Unscientific AF Speed Comparison Videos

I put together a few videos comparing the AF speed of a few popular primes. These are pretty unscientific, so take them for what it's worth. Hopefully someone will find these helpful in their decision making.

**edited to add a few more videos

As you can see on the 5D's LCD, the meter was reading 1/125, f/2.2 @ ISO 1600. Please keep in mind that the light level I compared the AF speed in is relatviely low, and that in full sun you will likely see speed improvement. These comparison's are more to see how certain lenses compare to each other, instead of testing how fast they can possibly AF. The cameras were pointed to a white wall, center point focus used on both both cameras. Click the images below to bring up the videos.

1) 35L vs. 24L II AF Speed

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I wouldn't mind seeing the 100 and 135 L's thrown in as well.


I saw a videographer at an event this weekend with that same mic + a steadicam rig.....
Who makes that mic, and do you like it? (sorry to thread hijack)

Woot. *pets his 24Lii on the lens cap*

Wow, when people said the 85Lii was slow, I didn't realize it was MOLASSes slow.

I would put in a request to see the 85L II retested on a 1D(s) body if possible. It gets a decent boost in focusing speed from the Pro body.

plasticmotif wrote in post #10196466
I wouldn't mind seeing the 100 and 135 L's thrown in as well.

Added. Keep in mind that the light level I'm comparing them in is relatively low, and in full sun you're likely to get better results from both lenses.

plasticmotif wrote in post #10196466
Who makes that mic, and do you like it? (sorry to thread hijack)

It's a Rode Stereo Video Mic. I like it so far, though I haven't used it too extensively yet.

jwcdds wrote in post #10196865
Wow, when people said the 85Lii was slow, I didn't realize it was MOLASSes slow.

It's definitely slower than most main stream lenses, but it's really not as bad as it seems in use. When it has to do a full rack back and forth, it takes a while.

XsiBrian wrote in post #10197201
I would put in a request to see the 85L II retested on a 1D(s) body if possible. It gets a decent boost in focusing speed from the Pro body.

Someone else will have to do that for you, I don't use 1-series bodies.

You guys should see how fast the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8IS focuses..it's like lightning bolts!

It looks as if you used the focus limiter on the 100, but not on the 70-200 II...

On a side note, it looks like the faster primes have a pretty useless distance scale and focusing throw.

Hm. The 70-200/2.8II is a lot slower than I would've thought.

toxic wrote in post #10197338
It looks as if you used the focus limiter on the 100, but not on the 70-200 II...

Right, I did have the focus limiter on the 100 Macro--didn't really seem fair to test that lens doing a full rack from 1:1 to infinity.

timnosenzo wrote in post #10197369
Right, I did have the focus limiter on the 100 Macro--didn't really seem fair to test that lens doing a full rack from 1:1 to infinity.

True, but what about on the 70-200?

toxic wrote in post #10197391
True, but what about on the 70-200?

No, I didn't set the limiters on either 70-200 or the 135L.

jwcdds wrote in post #10196865
Woot. *pets his 24Lii on the lens cap*

Wow, when people said the 85Lii was slow, I didn't realize it was MOLASSes slow.

Note the distance traveled in the focus window when watching the videos. You will see that the 85L generally has a throw about 2x longer than the other lens tested. So yes, it will be slower, because the focus throw is longer. But the benefit of that longer throw is a more PRECISE focusing ability. With f/1.2 aperture, you need the ability to very precisely move the DOF, and having a short throw would make that extremely difficult. A longer throw is better in that situation

Great thread! Made me realize just how quick the 135L is (and how slow my 85 MkI is!). You're correct about the 85L. You do have to get used to it and pre focus.

thanks so much for posting. Really appreciate it. Man the 85L is a real slug.... i mean i know people said it was slow... but thats slow... and its loud! well atleast compared to rest of the lenses.

The 35L is impressive.

Any chance of 200L f2.8 compared to a 135L and/or a 35L video? Waiting for mine to arrive! I guess ill find out soon enough.