1DX - Ai Servo Issue - Low light focus failure! Final Update 05/09/12

[paolotaverna]

Indeed this post is excellent!  Although I am an ex Nikon D4 shooter and a little disapointed with 1Dx performance in low light..I had a lot of expectation!  I switched to Canon for tones and for f1.2 lenses...but it really comes short in low light focus and Dynamic range (with the D4 I could have shot 2 stops under(i'd do this to get better shutter speed) and still get great quality when adjusting exposure)...not feasible with 1Dx...


Focus really is harsh in Low light...TRIED LOTS of settings Servo / one shot...etc but really light years from D4...I guess I'll get used to it.

[xtralight]

Odd.  I routinely shoot in low light sports, no slower than 1/800s with a pair of 1D X's and have had no AF problems that I've noticed.  ISO typically up to 10,000.  I shoot only in AI Servo mode.

For my part, I was shooting at ISO 12800, f/2.8 and 1/160s. Target has very low contrast. My D800E locked more times than my 1Dx...

[bdunbar79]

The differences I've noticed between D4 and 1DX is the high ISO noise reduction and printing capabilities.  The other issue is that I cannot compare which camera locked focus more times, because I have never had my 1DX not lock focus.  If you are in such poor lighting that you need to set your shutter that low, aperture that wide, and ISO that high, then who really cares?  Why would you even shoot in that situation and expect anything more?  No camera in the world will AF very well, so you cannot say it's just the 1DX.  The D4 misses just as much.  Even in the darkest sports venues, I can easily shoot at 1/640s, f/2.8, and ISO 6400 on a 1DX, and not underexpose.  The beautful thing is that if I do EC, I can raise the ISO to 10,000, apply 50% NR, and print a beautiful 8 x 10.  If I have to go darker than that, I won't shoot or I'll use a flash.

When you say your D800E locked more times than your 1DX, did you have both at the same time alternating each camera?  Was anyone in this thread shooting with both at the same time at the same event, one in each hand? 

Why in every other thread "the camera doesn't matter" unless it's a Nikon vs. Canon issue, when there's a problem, suddenly it's the camera again?  Oh you guys keep me so entertained on this site.  Keep it up!  Meanwhile I'm going to keep shooting with my 1DX's.

[paolotaverna]

Bdunbar79,

when you say "The differences I've noticed between D4 and 1DX is the high ISO noise reduction and printing capabilities."

which one do you like better?

[xtralight]

The differences I've noticed between D4 and 1DX is the high ISO noise reduction and printing capabilities.  The other issue is that I cannot compare which camera locked focus more times, because I have never had my 1DX not lock focus.  If you are in such poor lighting that you need to set your shutter that low, aperture that wide, and ISO that high, then who really cares?  Why would you even shoot in that situation and expect anything more?  No camera in the world will AF very well, so you cannot say it's just the 1DX.  The D4 misses just as much.  Even in the darkest sports venues, I can easily shoot at 1/640s, f/2.8, and ISO 6400 on a 1DX, and not underexpose.  The beautful thing is that if I do EC, I can raise the ISO to 10,000, apply 50% NR, and print a beautiful 8 x 10.  If I have to go darker than that, I won't shoot or I'll use a flash.

When you say your D800E locked more times than your 1DX, did you have both at the same time alternating each camera?  Was anyone in this thread shooting with both at the same time at the same event, one in each hand? 

Why in every other thread "the camera doesn't matter" unless it's a Nikon vs. Canon issue, when there's a problem, suddenly it's the camera again?  Oh you guys keep me so entertained on this site.  Keep it up!  Meanwhile I'm going to keep shooting with my 1DX's.

I care about shooting in very low light. That is why I invest in a 1DX. I wanted the top of Canon. I do not need you to care about my type of photography. My post is about sharing to others, especially to the OP, that I have the same problem as him. I cannot use a flash, I wanted the natural lightning.

Yes, I had both cameras with the same type of lens: my 1DX(latest firmware) with the new Canon 24-70 F2.8 MkII and my D800E with a Nikon 24-70G f2.8. They were used at the same moment, with the same subject.

Look, if the 1DX delivers for you, I glad that it does. For me, I just hope that I won't have to shoot to often in very, very low light.