5D3 and a 430EXII

[Louis]

Hello All,

Im hoping you can help, I had to shoot a conference for a very big client last week, and my set up was a 5D3 with my only flash a 430EXII my lens was a 24mm or a 70-200, anyway to my complete surprise the camera had a terrible time focusing, even with the assist beam firing, it would take on occasion more then 2-3 seconds to lock focus and then that meant sometimes it was too late, it was almost like having a different camera in my hand, the lighting was quite dull, as you can imagine a dim lit Hotel Lobby, but no way I thought would be a problem, I do not at all remember my 5D2 being as bad with the same flash,

I think I have read somewhere that the assist beam on these old flashes don't work so well with the new AF points on the 5D3 etc, I use middle point,

does anyone know about this, and had the same problem, the camera is a dream when left alone with decent light, but terrible when attached to a 430EXII,

sorry if there are other threads about this I may have missed,

Regards

Louis

 

[Louis]

I find it hard to believe not a single person has replied

 

[aktivemac]

I have the 5D3 and 430EXII, but haven't had any similar issues. This flash seems to work fine for me. Sorry I can't help with your issue.

Richard.

 

[crasher8]

I have that combo and all is well here

 

[Nishi Drew]

Even with the beam, so did you try without the assist beam as well I assume? If there's still a problem then it was either that dim or... i dunno, problem with your 5D3 AF

 

[gilmorephoto]

I noticed my 430EX meters differently and the resulting pics look warmer compared to those from use with T1i. But no problems with AF assist and low light focus. (Looks like I still don't have a reason to get 600EX). Darn.

 

[Louis]

Thanks all for your replies, The cameras fine, and is one of the new generations models, the focus is spot on normally, this conference wasn't so bad, as in light, but it would hang, Im wondering if the AF is too fast and has to wait for the as illuminator off the flash to make contact to the person, Im honestly not dreaming this up, and I am surprised no one has noticed this, one thing I did notice is that the main Illuminator wasn't as bright as I used to remember, maybe a combination of things, I have my 5d3 set up so the cross points illuminate when its dark only and when it achieves focus, I wonder if anything like that would cause a problem with the flashes illuminator? hmm