1Ds3 Changes on Canon USA Website

[Justin]

Yup. Run into this problem often with my 35 1.4 wide open.

Not sure what you are shooting, but if it isn't fast action, you can always focus and recompose.

Sure you can, if you've got plenty of depth of field to play with.  If you put a fast prime like the 85L on the 5DII, shoot wide open, and use the center AF point for focus/recompose, it works fine as long as you make sure that every subject you shoot is concave with a radius that matches the arc along which you recompose.  Algebraic translation for the less geometrically-inclined: fast lens + focus/recompose = out-of-focus subject.

[kubelik]

yeah, I agree as well; focus recompose can be problematic even with slow subject matter, depending on your DOF.

I think the idea that you need fast, multi-selectable AF points only when you're shooting action is a damaging one, because the more people that espouse it, the more justification Canon has for not putting top-quality AF into what should be top-tier cameras.

if you're out shooting weddings, which is exactly the niche that the 5DII has found itself in, it's rare that you have a wedding that involves "fast action".  but, there'll be plenty of times in any wedding when the 5DII's central focus point (forget the outer ones) can't keep up in low light.  and again, that's exactly the environment you will be shooting in.  I love my 5DII, but I have to be honest, in low light it is slooow.  even with a f/1.4 lens strapped to it.

is it possible to do great photography with the 5DII?  absolutely.  is it still a great camera even this close to the end of its life cycle?  absolutely.

can it be (and should it be) vastly improved with a high quality AF system that makes it an even better tool for all photographers?  absolutely yes, and to not ask for it is selling all of us short.

[Film]

A single off center point. The center one is fine, but leads to bad framing or broken by design metering, timing issues and the plane of focus topics.

...With the 5D MkII, the resolution is more than enough to use the center focus point and crop...

OMG! Sometimes I really believe that invention of DIGITAL slr was a big mistake...

[Film]

OMG! Sometimes I really believe that invention of DIGITAL slr was a big mistake...

You telling me there was no such thing as cropping before digital?

I don't advocate cropping that much. But for action, if you are not manually focusing with precision, using the center focus point and then cropping the composition is going to give you the best results.

No, I'm telling that before digital most of the photographers were putting a lot of effort in making pictures and the fact that you needed to put more effort in that than now kept others away from photography.

[Lawliet]

Not sure what you are shooting, but if it isn't fast action, you can always focus and recompose.

Focus&recompose not only shift DOF, but also makes light and flash metering invalid.
That "advise" is the source for most of the complaints about Canons unreliable metering. Nice job breaking it.

Even with action, how do you know which off center point to use? I would think you might miss the shot trying to select the correct focus point. /quote]

Know what you're shooting, action is seldom random. Inertia is a harsh mistress!
The diamond and the joystick are a perfect match, the ring of fire is quite fast too.

With the 5D MkII, the resolution is more than enough to use the center focus point and crop.

My clients don't share that opinion.  For personal projects I resort to stitching to get the resolution the final print demands. I don't think cropping is a good substitute for basic skills.

[Grendel]

Focus&recompose not only shift DOF, but also makes light and flash metering invalid.

I have moved the AF-ON functionality to the rear AF button on my cameras. Hitting the 1st shutter stage then will only meter. --> hit AF to focus, recompose if necessary, use the shutter to meter & shoot. For MF lenses w/ focus confirmation I usually move it back, easier to focus the lens while holding the shutter than the AF button.

[Lawliet]

Thanks for demonstrating my point.
Metering is now biased towards the area of the center point instead of the intended focus of attention.  May Lady Luck smile upon you...

[Grendel]

My cameras also have an AE/FE Lock button right next to the AF button in addition to the half shutter press that will lock exposure. And different metering modes. What else do you need ?

[Lawliet]

The capability to meter the composition of the actual shot, preferable at the time I take the picture.
As well as not to fall victim to the focus shifts associated with recomposition.