1D bodies focus faster true or false?

[Flake]

Various reports used to tell that the 1D series bodies would focus the same lens faster than other lesser bodies. Firstly is it true? secondly if it is how did they manage this seeing as the drive is electric, more power? Or is it possibly the more advanced focus system?

Of course if the latter is the case it leads to the inevitable 5D MkIII question as to whether this camera with the 1D focus will focus a lens just as quick?

 

[Admin US West]

The lens has far more impact on the autofocus speed than the body. In low light, the AF sensor of the higher end bodies may be better and able to find focus faster with less hunting, so a 1 Series will be faster under the right conditions.

That said, the 1D series cameras use 11 -12 volts rather than 7.4, so they could easily be sending a higher voltage to the lens motor.

There is also focus accuracy, and greater precision of the AF sensor will improve accuracy as well. The 1D X claims to improve AF accuracy thru greater precision of the sensor.

 

[smithy]

My film body, the EOS 1V (with similar 45 point AF system to the 1D bodies) definitely *feels* like it autofocuses about twice as fast as my EOS 40D using the same lenses, if that helps at all.

 

[Maui5150]

This is more with the sensor than the lens. Especially in low light, the sensor needs to distinguish between not a great deal of contrast.