6D autofocus capabilites: let's bust some myths about it

[3kramd5]

ken rockwell says the 6d af is better than the 5diii which is too complicated. the 6d af doesn't get in the way, it just works baby!

After all, you can AF at LV-3 with the center point, then recompose on your tripod, and get a nice, steady image of an OOF subject. Can't possibly do that with a 5D.

 

[bdunbar79]

Additionally, he adds in that the 1Dx and 5D3 would have never AF'd in a particular situation that the 6D did. He also makes the accusation that we've never shot with the 6D so how can we comment?

1. The 1Dx and 5D3 would have easily AF'd in that case, so that point right there is simply objectively WRONG.
2. He hasn't shot with the 1Dx or 5D3, yet makes the above comment. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Is he for real? There's NO WAY any sane person could both make the arguments he's making and simultaneously believe in those arguments.

The AF system of the 1Dx is best = $6799
The AF system of the 5D3 is second best = $3399
The AF system of the 6D is the "least good" out of all 3 = $2000 ish

Hmm, surprising!

 

[3kramd5]

Additionally, he adds in that the 1Dx and 5D3 would have never AF'd in a particular situation that the 6D did. He also makes the accusation that we've never shot with the 6D so how can we comment?

1. The 1Dx and 5D3 would have easily AF'd in that case, so that point right there is simply objectively WRONG.
2. He hasn't shot with the 1Dx or 5D3, yet makes the above comment. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Is he for real? There's NO WAY any sane person could both make the arguments he's making and simultaneously believe in those arguments.

The AF system of the 1Dx is best = $6799
The AF system of the 5D3 is second best = $3399
The AF system of the 6D is the "least good" out of all 3 = $2000 ish

Hmm, surprising!

It's just silliness. The 6D is a nice, affordable 135 format DSLR. It has some nice features, but AF is hardly its selling point. -3LV autofocus, as has been pointed out, has some significant practicality issues.

 

[ashmadux]

Focus and crop...sounds like foolishness.

 

[bholliman]

That's very similar to my experience the 5DII, although the hit rate dropped noticeably when the subject was moving toward/away from the camera, or when trying to track moving subjects in lower light. For example, kids coming down a slide at an indoor 'bouncy house' (4-6 EV lighting), the 6D I had borrowed locked on initially at the top, but couldn't keep up with tracking. My 1D X tracks the whole way down, either following the kid with the center point, or using auto point selection and letting the system hand off focus from one AF point to the next.

Yeah, the 6D doesn't handle subjects moving towards or away well at all, especially towards, probably more noticeable due to the shallower DOF. Side to side is OK.

I'll have to rent a 1Dx sometime to see what it can do.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

[/quote]

Yeah, the 6D doesn't handle subjects moving towards or away well at all, especially towards, probably more noticeable due to the shallower DOF. Side to side is OK.

I'll have to rent a 1Dx sometime to see what it can do.
[/quote]

DON'T - you will end up buying one!!! ;D

 

[sanj]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

 

[3kramd5]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Exposure values were initially used to merely compare exposure settings, and settings independent of film speed. EV0 was defined as 1sec at f/1. In this context, it is assumed to be at 100ISO (ISO100, aka light value). EV0 light would require f/1 at 100 for 1 second or equivalent to properly expose. EV-3 is three stops darker, or f/1 at 100 for 8 seconds, or f/0.7 at 200 for 2 seconds, etc. In other words, it's dark.

 

[Marsu42]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Note that phase af always works with open aperture, i.e. your camera will need more LV with a slow f5.6 lens than with a fast f1.4 one to still be able to focus... one reason to get a f2.8 zoom even if you seldom actually take pictures @f2.8 and are ok to carry the bulk/weight + pay for it.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/ev.htm

 

[CarlTN]

Additionally, he adds in that the 1Dx and 5D3 would have never AF'd in a particular situation that the 6D did. He also makes the accusation that we've never shot with the 6D so how can we comment?

1. The 1Dx and 5D3 would have easily AF'd in that case, so that point right there is simply objectively WRONG.
2. He hasn't shot with the 1Dx or 5D3, yet makes the above comment. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Is he for real? There's NO WAY any sane person could both make the arguments he's making and simultaneously believe in those arguments.

The AF system of the 1Dx is best = $6799
The AF system of the 5D3 is second best = $3399
The AF system of the 6D is the "least good" out of all 3 = $2000 ish

Hmm, surprising!

Actually that's a lie, I have shot with both the 5D3 and 1DX. Not with this particular lens though. I'm not calling anybody black, but you're starting to look like you're just puking to me, so that's now your color.

Why the childish name calling, and the just plain making shi+ up as you go along? How old are you again?

 

[CarlTN]

Additionally, he adds in that the 1Dx and 5D3 would have never AF'd in a particular situation that the 6D did. He also makes the accusation that we've never shot with the 6D so how can we comment?

1. The 1Dx and 5D3 would have easily AF'd in that case, so that point right there is simply objectively WRONG.
2. He hasn't shot with the 1Dx or 5D3, yet makes the above comment. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Is he for real? There's NO WAY any sane person could both make the arguments he's making and simultaneously believe in those arguments.

The AF system of the 1Dx is best = $6799
The AF system of the 5D3 is second best = $3399
The AF system of the 6D is the "least good" out of all 3 = $2000 ish

Hmm, surprising!

It's just silliness. The 6D is a nice, affordable 135 format DSLR. It has some nice features, but AF is hardly its selling point. -3LV autofocus, as has been pointed out, has some significant practicality issues.

Who the hell ever said the 6D's autofocus was a "selling point"? Not me. I'm calling b/s though, and that's now your color.

 

[CarlTN]

Here's some shots of rare Swedish Red Ear'd Biggies Piggies taken with the centre point of a 6D with a 50mm f1.4 @1.4. Nails the focus plane near as damn it 8 times out of ten. Cropped and recomposed, so not 'focus and recompose'.

Biggies Piggies just won't keep still for a moment !

We have an almost 2-year-old toddler who can move about as quickly and randomly as these piggies, and the AF with my 6D and 50 f/1.4 and 85 1.8 does just fine under f/2.0 using the center point. Overall, my hit rate for moving kid shots is in the 75-80% range, and I'm happy with that. I know a 5D3 or 1Dx would do much better, but for my overall use (kids/landscapes/portraits/macro and a little high school golf and cross country) the 6D is a great camera.

Exactly. Four years, many people (myself included) were clamoring for a camera that unified the image quality of the 5DII with the autofocus of the 7D. Canon delivered, even better than expected, with the 5DIII – and charged a premium for it. But they also delivered the 6D, basically a very modest update to the 5DII (already an excellent camera, AF notwithstanding) with a functionally equivalent AF system, but at a lower price. That's a win-win.

Well summarized, I agree. If you want a camera with superior AF, buy a 1Dx or 5D3. The 6D has IQ in the same ballpark as the higher end cameras, but a limited AF system. That's why its $1K+ cheaper than the 5D3. Personally, I'm glad Canon gives us price and capability options.

Agree on all points, never said otherwise. Yet just because I dare to say the 6D autofocuses "decently", and because I attempted and ACHIEVED focus recompose at a distance of 4 INCHES IN THE DARK...the manchildren are throwing a tantrum again.

Happy Easter to you all, even to those who spew name calling, hatred and personal attacks. To the moderators, Happy Easter to you as well. If you don't celebrate it, I'm not too surprised... ;D

 

[sanj]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Note that phase af always works with open aperture, i.e. your camera will need more LV with a slow f5.6 lens than with a fast f1.4 one to still be able to focus... one reason to get a f2.8 zoom even if you seldom actually take pictures @f2.8 and are ok to carry the bulk/weight + pay for it.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/ev.htm

Thx. Understand a bit more...

 

[sanj]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Exposure values were initially used to merely compare exposure settings, and settings independent of film speed. EV0 was defined as 1sec at f/1. In this context, it is assumed to be at 100ISO (ISO100, aka light value). EV0 light would require f/1 at 100 for 1 second or equivalent to properly expose. EV-3 is three stops darker, or f/1 at 100 for 8 seconds, or f/0.7 at 200 for 2 seconds, etc. In other words, it's dark.

Thx much. So 6d center point would focus better in low light?

 

[J.R.]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Exposure values were initially used to merely compare exposure settings, and settings independent of film speed. EV0 was defined as 1sec at f/1. In this context, it is assumed to be at 100ISO (ISO100, aka light value). EV0 light would require f/1 at 100 for 1 second or equivalent to properly expose. EV-3 is three stops darker, or f/1 at 100 for 8 seconds, or f/0.7 at 200 for 2 seconds, etc. In other words, it's dark.

Thx much. So 6d center point would focus better in low light?

As per the theory, yes.

However, I find that EV3 is the extreme of low light and I'm not sure what can be shot handheld.

I'm sure AF at EV-3 is useful to some people, but as far as I'm concerned I don't shoot too often in extreme low light. When I do, I (a) use the tripod and AF is pretty much irrelevant; OR (b) use AF assist with a speedlite.

PS: I'm sure someone will come along denouncing me for not trying the AF at EV-3, but personally, I haven't found it too useful. I'm also yet to be faced with a situation where my 6D could achieve AF and the 5D3 could not.

 

[sanj]

Can someone please explain dumb me what does focus at "-3ev" actually mean? Thanking in advance.

Exposure values were initially used to merely compare exposure settings, and settings independent of film speed. EV0 was defined as 1sec at f/1. In this context, it is assumed to be at 100ISO (ISO100, aka light value). EV0 light would require f/1 at 100 for 1 second or equivalent to properly expose. EV-3 is three stops darker, or f/1 at 100 for 8 seconds, or f/0.7 at 200 for 2 seconds, etc. In other words, it's dark.

Thx much. So 6d center point would focus better in low light?

As per the theory, yes.

However, I find that EV3 is the extreme of low light and I'm not sure what can be shot handheld.

I'm sure AF at EV-3 is useful to some people, but as far as I'm concerned I don't shoot too often in extreme low light. When I do, I (a) use the tripod and AF is pretty much irrelevant; OR (b) use AF assist with a speedlite.

PS: I'm sure someone will come along denouncing me for not trying the AF at EV-3, but personally, I haven't found it too useful. I'm also yet to be faced with a situation where my 6D could achieve AF and the 5D3 could not.

Thank you. I am concluding then I am not missing out on anything.

 

[ATC]

Here's some shots of rare Swedish Red Ear'd Biggies Piggies taken with the centre point of a 6D with a 50mm f1.4 @1.4. Nails the focus plane near as damn it 8 times out of ten. Cropped and recomposed, so not 'focus and recompose'.

Biggies Piggies just won't keep still for a moment !

We have an almost 2-year-old toddler who can move about as quickly and randomly as these piggies, and the AF with my 6D and 50 f/1.4 and 85 1.8 does just fine under f/2.0 using the center point. Overall, my hit rate for moving kid shots is in the 75-80% range, and I'm happy with that. I know a 5D3 or 1Dx would do much better, but for my overall use (kids/landscapes/portraits/macro and a little high school golf and cross country) the 6D is a great camera.

Exactly. Four years, many people (myself included) were clamoring for a camera that unified the image quality of the 5DII with the autofocus of the 7D. Canon delivered, even better than expected, with the 5DIII – and charged a premium for it. But they also delivered the 6D, basically a very modest update to the 5DII (already an excellent camera, AF notwithstanding) with a functionally equivalent AF system, but at a lower price. That's a win-win.

Well summarized, I agree. If you want a camera with superior AF, buy a 1Dx or 5D3. The 6D has IQ in the same ballpark as the higher end cameras, but a limited AF system. That's why its $1K+ cheaper than the 5D3. Personally, I'm glad Canon gives us price and capability options.

Agree on all points, never said otherwise. Yet just because I dare to say the 6D autofocuses "decently", and because I attempted and ACHIEVED focus recompose at a distance of 4 INCHES IN THE DARK...the manchildren are throwing a tantrum again.

Happy Easter to you all, even to those who spew name calling, hatred and personal attacks. To the moderators, Happy Easter to you as well. If you don't celebrate it, I'm not too surprised... ;D

Thank you, I was beginning to question my decision to get a 6D. I'll keep it, as I am very happy with the performance for my uses!

 

[3kramd5]

Additionally, he adds in that the 1Dx and 5D3 would have never AF'd in a particular situation that the 6D did. He also makes the accusation that we've never shot with the 6D so how can we comment?

1. The 1Dx and 5D3 would have easily AF'd in that case, so that point right there is simply objectively WRONG.
2. He hasn't shot with the 1Dx or 5D3, yet makes the above comment. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Is he for real? There's NO WAY any sane person could both make the arguments he's making and simultaneously believe in those arguments.

The AF system of the 1Dx is best = $6799
The AF system of the 5D3 is second best = $3399
The AF system of the 6D is the "least good" out of all 3 = $2000 ish

Hmm, surprising!

It's just silliness. The 6D is a nice, affordable 135 format DSLR. It has some nice features, but AF is hardly its selling point. -3LV autofocus, as has been pointed out, has some significant practicality issues.

Who the hell ever said the 6D's autofocus was a "selling point"? Not me. I'm calling b/s though, and that's now your color.

Wow. Relax, Carl. It's a turn of phrase. I intended it as synonymous with "strong point."

I don't even know what you mean by the bit about color... ?

 

[BL]

Are there really two threads going on about this camera's AF pushing 20 pages now?

Why can't people just agree to disagree, and accept the fact the 6D is a great camera for what it is - an entry level FF body with great IQ but with simplified AF.

Sometimes one tool is better than another based on needs/wants.

To put things in perspective, my SLRs are playing backup to my EOS M at the moment

 

[candyman]

...........Why can't people just agree to disagree, and accept the fact the 6D is a great camera for what it is - an entry level FF body with great IQ but with simplified AF.
.................

+1
The 5D MKII is/was used many years - also by professionals - to produce stunning photos to generate money. The 6D is a better camera than the 5D MKII and surely will fullfil the same role. It is a very good camera that produces IQ on par with the 1DX and 5DMKIII