Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Its finally time to upgrade my 20D...and thats only because I'm going to need some more fps speed for boxing events. I will be up close and ring side.

Does anyone know how the 7D compares in autofocus speed/accuracy to the 1D MKII or 1DMKII N ?

I know that the 7D has dual digic 4 processors etc.etc. One I believe is dedicated to autofocus or something like that but I cant seem to find
a direct comparison for my answer.

So who has a 7D and MKII N that can give me the scoop?

I have experience with both, and own a 7D now.

AF tracking and speed is par with 1 series, from gut feeling. However the new AF Zone is sooo much easier to use and control.

Thanks for the replies guys. Just came back from playing with a friends 1D MKII N and will check out a 7D later this week before making decision.

Reading the reviews, I'd get the 7D over a 1DMrkIIN unless you don't like the crop factor and the autofocus is just as good if not slightly better than the 1DMrkIIN. Cleaner images at higher ISO being the biggest benefit going with the 7D.

I remember 'noidea' was playing with Ste's 7D in the parking lot last time with the auto focusing capability... I believed his reaction was "wow... this is so cool".

I don't know if this contributes anything

I had the 1d mk3 and sold it for my currrent 7D, to be honest beside losing the built, shutter sound, 10fps and the crop factor from the 1D mk3, I like everything on the 7D over the 1D3, video.. higher resolution screen, iso is as good as the 1d3, also the wireless ettl is one of the reason i got the 7D, i still haven't yet test the AF capability over the winter.. but I do like the extra reach from the 1.6 crop. for my still shots my 5d2 can take care of them..

Thanks for the additional opinions. I was kinda leaning towards the 7D but was worried that it might not be quick enough. Crop factor is not a issue nor the build quality..just the AF would be a deal breaker but I think I'm past worrying about it now.

There are so many more features that I can use/like on the new 7D and yes saying that it is "wow.." helps also.

Don't mean to thread jack, but it's not altogether unrelated. Which AF modes are 7D owners typically using? As great as the auto 19-point AF is, I find myself using point focus in the centre 99% of the time. Am I using this camera wrong?

-Spencer

I think you're just using it as a professional would, who doesn't need to do a lot of movement tracking around the edges (sports)

are u from TSC?

Haha.. yeah, same Spencer

Thanks! Focus and recompose seems to be the best way to get accurate AF.

i knew it! lol

i use to use that method last year, but someone told me it's not a good idea since DOF will shift while you recompose (especially using prime lens wide open), now i use the selectable AF point to focus on my subjects now lol

It's good that you do, I can't use it on my XSI since only the centre point is a cross type

I have the 1Dm2 and 7D, and the 1Dm2 is my backup to the 7D.

I've been shooting snow geese and cranes @ Bosque del Apache this last week, and while I'm mostly using the center AF point, I find the other points work well even for fast moving action where I don't want my subject dead center.

im not sure if u would rather trust the non-cross type point, or the DOF shift from recomposition.. even with my 5D2 i use all points for focusing..

maybe canon should just make one AF point in the center for cameras don't have outter cross typ AF points

They do make them now, it's up to you what to choose, I've never had any issues with re-composing using anything up to f/1.8, if you're not focusing very close, it's not a big deal non-cross type are unusable in low light anyway

Anyone notice slower frame rate under lower light conditions...even in manual mode?

It's to be expected, as the shutter speed drops you get limitations on the fps because the shutter is open too long. 1/250th is the realistic lower limit for full speed shooting on 5+fps camera.

I agree as the shutter speed drops like when your camera is in Program mode and the scene is now lower light. But I'm talking about in manual mode. The frame rate should not drop. Sorta like talking your camera and setting it at say 1/125 or faster at F2.8..put the lens cap on and set your camera to manual focus. Shutter set to high speed and your camera should be firing at its max fps or very close to it. Every Canon camera I've ever had does this.

OK.. here's what happened when i noticed this. I was panning across a room light beige reading was 1/15 at F3.5 and fired a short burst at a b/w picture stopped and then I panned past it reading went to 1/30 at F3.5 and I fired another burst..the fps picked up. In the automatic Program mode I would totally understand but not in manual mode where I dictate shutter speed
and aperture. Exposure lock helps but i shouldn't have to do this.

For the most part, I use the "Man. select.: AF point expansion" mode (Manually select an AF point and the adjacent AF points are made active).

Interesting. I noticed this the other day also.
Manual mode with 1/1000 shutter.... dark area + fps was slow... but bright area = fast fps that I was used to.
I thought something was broken...

This is a known issue with the 7D. You can set it to manual exposure, 1/1000 shutter, any aperture, any iso and if you have the lens cap on or you're in the dark, it _will_not_ fire any faster than 5fps regardless of whether you're in AF or MF mode.

The only way you can get 8fps in those conditions, is to use Live-view.

Of course, at those shutter speeds and light levels, nothing you shoot will actually have anything visible in them regardless of fps.

Thanks Kin for your input...good info.

So is the AF better or not?
MarkIII or 7D for AF?

I don't care about mp or video....

The major thing is AF n potentially the crop factor... but really the AF is the thing.