AF assit slows camera AF again!!

[jaayres20]

A few years ago when I upgraded to the 5d3 and 600ex-rt flashes I was frustrated when I found that the AF assist beam caused the camera to slow when it acquired focus. I started a post about it and a few others had the same issue. Canon issued a firmware update and the problem was solved. You can look that the thread here:

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=10275.0

I received the 1dx2 in May and have shot several weddings and receptions with it so far. During each reception I have shot, I have been a little thrown off with the AF speed with the 600ex and AF assist enabled. It is just a hair slower. It is nothing like the previous issue I had with the 5d3 and the 600ex, but it is still an issue for me. I have tuned it on and off several times and every time it is off, the focus is instantaneous and when it is on it hesitates a little. It will find focus instantly, but it doesn't allow me to fully press the shutter release instantly, which bothers me. I end up having to wait that extra moment and I don't like it. I know I can further prioritize the release of the shutter over the focus, but then I run the chance of getting slightly out of focus shots. I am curious if anyone can confirm if they are having the same issues. Again, it is ever so slight, but it bothers me that it is an issue at all. The AF assist should make the AF faster, not slower.

 

[Memdroid]

I had the same issues with a loaner 1DX II. I also have this issue with the 5DS and 5DSR bodies. The AF assist is a lot less snappier than both my original 1DX and 5D3 cameras.

 

[YuengLinger]

Ha! I definitely remember this issue with the 5DIII and 600-ex-rt. It prompted my first tech support call to CPS. It was a dark Halloween party that was very frustrating.

The problem wasn't as bad with an older 580ex, and I speculated the AF assist grid projected by the flash was "tighter."

I remember the CPS tech who helped me wondered if the length of the 70-200mm might have been an issue, or if my hot shoe was bent a little.

But then the firmware update came out and things seemed much better.

(And I do also remember reading jaayres20's original thread on the issue, and feeling relieved somebody else understood.)

Would like to hear if this happens with the new 5DIV, naturally. That's a more likely purchase for me. Hope Canon gets it straight. If the lag is noticeable, it is annoying at best, missed moments more likely.

 

[zim]

I remember that issue too.

Question though: Is AF assist even necessary now?, ok it's just centre point but -3ev there's more light at wedding receptions than that surely?
(I'm not a pro and only taken snaps at a reception so I really don't know, in case someone takes offence :-\ )

 

[Memdroid]

Yeah, I did pressure my CPS rep as well back when the 1DX and 5D3 had this issue. It frustrated me tremendously that the lag was so prominent when pressing the shutter and the actually firing the flash. It just took too long. The firmware update back than was a gift from heaven, for a problem that should not be there in the first place. The snappy speed of the camera+flash was what makes it fun!

It appears the problem is back with the latest bodies, which kind of sucks. I hope the upcoming firmware for the 5DS bodies solves this problem, because last weekend on a wedding shoot I missed a couple of money shots because of this. Disabling the AF assist beam on the 1DX II proved to be a workaround, but that was not the case with the 5DS bodies that require a little more light when focusing in the dark.

 

[YuengLinger]

I remember that issue too.

Question though: Is AF assist even necessary now?, ok it's just centre point but -3ev there's more light at wedding receptions than that surely?
(I'm not a pro and only taken snaps at a reception so I really don't know, in case someone takes offence :-\ )

In dim light, without enough contrast "targets," maybe the light is flat too, a reliable AF assist beam is invaluable. We aren't restricted to the center AF point with the 5DIII + 600ex-rt AF assist. Works great, very fast after the "old" issue was resolved.

Different lenses need more or less light to AF. And you might be standing in a circle of ample light, turn around and see a great expression, a moment out beyond the edges of that light, and the AF assist nails focus.

Why do you think so many event photographers complain about the ST-E3-RT not having AF assist? There are times when there is enough light for no flash, but not enough to grab focus consistently.