f8 Autofocus?

[4jphotography]

Okay, so maybe I'm slow, and to be honest I don't use autofocus that often, but a friend and I were thinking about the "lack of f8 autofocus" on our cameras and tried it – only it seemed to function fine? We were using a 1ds3 and a 5d2.

 

[eeek]

No, it means putting a lens with a aperture of f/8 on the camera. For example, a 600 4.0 with a 2x. That won't auto focus at f/8.

 

[awinphoto]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

 

[4jphotography]

Got it. Thanks!

 

[Cali_PH]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

Only those two cameras? I could be wrong, but I thought I read it affects almost all of Canon's except one of the 1D's, or something like that?

 

[Loswr]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

Only those two cameras? I could be wrong, but I thought I read it affects almost all of Canon's except one of the 1D's, or something like that?

Correct - the only cameras that (officially) support AF at f/8 are the previous 1-series bodies (and the EOS-3 film SLR), and then only with the center point with a single-orientation line sensor. The 1D X represents a departure from the prior 1-series standard.

 

[awinphoto]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

Only those two cameras? I could be wrong, but I thought I read it affects almost all of Canon's except one of the 1D's, or something like that?

Correct - the only cameras that (officially) support AF at f/8 are the previous 1-series bodies (and the EOS-3 film SLR), and then only with the center point with a single-orientation line sensor. The 1D X represents a departure from the prior 1-series standard.

I stand corrected on that... i dont shoot with teleconverters for it to be a problem for me, so it really hasn't been anything i experimented enough to find out, but with all the heat the 5d3 and 1dx was getting regarding the issue, it seemed logical that both were a departure from the norm...

 

[stilscream]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

That was only a rumor, if you listened to the presentation posted recently since the best focus points are no longer in the center, max aperature f8 focusing will not be possible on 1dx or 5dmk iii

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I used the f/8 a lot on my 1D MK III, but using a 7D gives about the same increase in focal length as a 1.4X TC on my 1D3.

I'm thinking I might just sell them, but haven't decided. I may try them with my 5D MK III stacked so that I turn a f/2.8 into a f/8 and see what happens.

 

[awinphoto]

This only an issue with the new 5d mark 3 and the 1dx however there is a rumor that a firmware is in the works to fix that. Only affects f4 and 5.6 with teleconverters that reduces the lens effective light.

That was only a rumor, if you listened to the presentation posted recently since the best focus points are no longer in the center, max aperature f8 focusing will not be possible on 1dx or 5dmk iii

Understandably, however the presenter in the latest 1dx video (assuming thats the one your mentioning) is once again a mouthpiece, much like chucky w and most of the reps at tradeshows, where this rumor came from. Its all to be taken with a grain of salt, and given the center points are double cross sensitive, i'm sure assuming there is no technical/physical reason the camera cant AF at F8, which has been possible in previous 1d cameras, I dont see why a future firmware couldn't be implemented to do so if not but in 1 point. I dont know, personally, why it cant or what's stopping it, but I do know Canon listens to it's customers so if it's a problem or you want it fixed... start contacting them asap.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Understandably, however the presenter in the latest 1dx video (assuming thats the one your mentioning) is once again a mouthpiece, much like chucky w and most of the reps at tradeshows, where this rumor came from. Its all to be taken with a grain of salt, and given the center points are double cross sensitive, i'm sure assuming there is no technical/physical reason the camera cant AF at F8, which has been possible in previous 1d cameras, I dont see why a future firmware couldn't be implemented to do so if not but in 1 point. I dont know, personally, why it cant or what's stopping it, but I do know Canon listens to it's customers so if it's a problem or you want it fixed... start contacting them asap.

I think some big guns have let Canon know what they think of the lack of F/8 AF. Neuro has pointed out that it is inherent in the design of the center point, and will require a physically different AF sensor. If they do that, it likely will not be in the first 1D X cameras delivered.

If those big name wildlife photographers have no influence, we don't stand much chance, except to change brands.

If its merely firmware, one could presumably tape the pins and it would work. I don't expect that.