How bad is the 5D classic AF really?

Right I've read a lot of complaints where people have bemoaned the AF system on the 5D classic. At the moment I'm shooting with a 40D and a 400D, at a recent wedding I became thoroughly annoyed with the 400D when it completely refused to focus in the relatively low light while the 40D carried on as if nothing had changed. So it's time to replace the 400D as a second body, I'd ideally like an FF body and my budget puts me in 5D classic territory.

Now is the 5D AF comparable to my 40D or will I find myself in a similar situation in lower light levels as with the 400D where I'll end up just putting it away for failing me? I read threads and can't help wondering if the 5D bashing is people who have used a 1D series and their view is tainted by that or if it is bad even against the XXD series bodies.

Making this more complicated is the price drops of the 1DsMKii which is getting nearer my price territory (I'd need to sell some stuff), but promises amazing AF and from what I can tell similar (or better) IQ than the 5D classic. Problem is at the moment I can get myself a 5D classic, 28 1.8 and 85 1.8 for the cost of the 1DsII, but will I find myself regretting it over the AF?

The complaints revolve ONLY around the outer points. In dim lighting, I don't trust them at all.

There's nothing wrong with the speed or accuracy of the center point.

I'm in a very similar position and will be curious to see what responses you get. People have been successfully using the 5D for all sorts of photographic needs, yet it has such a reputation that you'd think Canon didn't even include an AF system in it!

toxic wrote in post #10658613
The complaints revolve ONLY around the outer points. In dim lighting, I don't trust them at all.

There's nothing wrong with the speed or accuracy of the center point.

That's good to know as I was shopping for one recently

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #10658625
People have been successfully using the 5D for all sorts of photographic needs, yet it has such a reputation that you'd think Canon didn't even include an AF system in it!

This is what has prompted me to ask as I keep debating back and forth in my head and don't want to make a bad buy.

I use the outer points on the 5DC all the time in decent light. In lower light it might hunt a bit but is very accurate.

It's every bit as good as XXD series cameras. It's a little slow, maybe a little poor in low light, but overall it does a decent job. I just recently upgraded to a 1 series and yes the 1 series has faster more accurate auto focus, but then the 1 series is pretty spendy unless you buy older.

SwitchBlade wrote in post #10658594
Rat a recent wedding I became thoroughly annoyed with the 400D when it completely refused to focus

The 5D was the primary wedding photographer body for years. Is the AF as good as a newer 1 series? No. Does it get the job done? Yes.

the 5D's center point is better than the 40D's center point.
the 40D's outer points are "better" than the 5D's outer points in that they do work better in low light most of the time, but they will also hunt more in low light, the 5D's outer points know they suck and don't even try...

Cheers guys I feel somewhat reassured now and will go for the 5D. The opportunity to invest in more glass will always be good.

I had a 40D and hated it compared to the 5Dc.

The 5D has outer points?

blueM wrote in post #10660962
The 5D has outer points?

yup they have a label that says "Break In Case of Fire"

I couldn't get the 5D center point to track my kids on a swing in AI servo mode. It was very frustrating. Pulled out the 7D and it went without a hitch. So there are some limitations...

Granted a kid swinging at you (meaning they are moving toward you pretty quickly) is a pretty problematic situation for even those cameras with faster AF. It seems that is the kind of AF tests we end up seeing when the MKIII came out etc, so maybe this is an extreme case where the 5Dc shouldn't be expected to keep up, I don't know.

I had to time my shot at the apex of the swing, then it would work pretty well, but not during the midswing action.

SwitchBlade wrote in post #10658594
Right I've read a lot of complaints where people have bemoaned the AF system on the 5D classic.

At the time it was released, the 5D's AF was as good as or better than any AF Canon had put in any DSLR other than the 1 series.

Soooo?

Now it's the 1 Series, 7D, and most recent XXD bodies are pretty much equal to if not identical to what was put in the 5D.

Sooo?