Lack of red lighted AF points 5d4; big deal?

[ScottyP]

One detail/gripe I heard mentioned about 5d3 (and 1dx) was the individual AF points don't light up red so it can be tricky to place a particular point over a subject or an eye, etc, in dim light. I see they addressed that in the 1dx2 but not in the 5d4.

Who has had 5d3 or 5d4 cameras and another camera that does have red AF points and can comment on how irritating or not irritating the in practice is the lack thereof?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Its one of the issues with my 5D MK III, and in low light theater work, its a pain.

The lights do light up just a focus is achieved, its just that its tough in near dark to put a focus spot on a particular subject because you cannot see them. Area focus works, but may not select what you want. Its made more difficult in low light because lenses are wide open and dof is at a minimum leaving no room for error.

The 1D MK IV was the last Canon model with nicely lighted focus points. The 1DX mk I & II are just OK. This is one area where a Nikon pro body is a improvement, but we have to look at overall performance for the buck.

 

[Mikehit]

The 1D MK IV was the last Canon model with nicely lighted focus points. The 1DX mk I & II are just OK. This is one area where a Nikon pro body is a improvement, but we have to look at overall performance for the buck.

The 7D2 has them

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Scotty.
I don't know how the 1D cameras do it but the 7DII has the focus points flash red (at least that is what mine do, it may be a setting I selected rather than on continually! ???) I find this a vast improvement over the original 7D, definitely helps with placing the focus points in poor light, the original 7D is a capable camera but is much harder to place the AF points.
I don't know if this helps you at all.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[Sharlin]

The 1D MK IV was the last Canon model with nicely lighted focus points. The 1DX mk I & II are just OK. This is one area where a Nikon pro body is a improvement, but we have to look at overall performance for the buck.

The 7D2 has them

No, the 7D2, like the 5D4, the 80D, etc. has a different system that just illuminates the whole viewfinder LCD from the side with leds. It cannot illuminate individual AF points like the 1DX2 can.

 

[Kit Lens Jockey]

I hate the way the AF illumination functions on the 5D Mk3 and Mk4. I much prefer how it is on my 6D. I just don't understand why it can't work the same way on the 5D!!!

With the 6D, you get one red flash of the AF point when AF initially starts, and one flash when it achieves focus the 5D only flashes when it achieves focus, not when you first push the button. Why can't they just make the 5D flash when you initially push the button, like the 6D? I understand the display technology in the 5D is viewfinder is different, but obviously they still have the means to illuminate the viewfinder points in red, because they do when focus locks on, so why on earth aren't they just consistent with how that works between cameras?

As far as being a big deal or not, I've learned to live with it. In low light, I've learned to hit the AF point select button so that all of the AF points light up, and at least that way I can locate the one I'm using on my subject. In low light, doing that without having the point lit up is impossible!

 

[Sharlin]

Hi Scotty.
I don't know how the 1D cameras do it but the 7DII has the focus points flash red (at least that is what mine do, it may be a setting I selected rather than on continually! ???)

Yep. The AF point display can be set to continuously blink, but only in AI Servo mode.

 

[YuengLinger]

Mine light up fine in AI Servo. Not sure what I'm missing. Seems better than the 5DIII in low light.

 

[ScottyP]

I guess there's always the 6d2 to consider. That can't be more than 12 months off can it?Really I am only looking for a bit more sophosticated AF. Would also like a higher flash sync speed plus any high ISO IQ they can wring out of it. Don't need super weatherproofing or 30+ MP for what I do.

 

[Mikehit]

No, the 7D2, like the 5D4, the 80D, etc. has a different system that just illuminates the whole viewfinder LCD from the side with leds. It cannot illuminate individual AF points like the 1DX2 can.

True. But given that the desire was to be able to see the AF points so you can place them on the subject, it is the same purpose, especially as the AF point also flashes just as it does in good light. if that is a cheaper way to implement it then there is even less reason to put it into other models.

 

[BobG]

Hi Scotty,
I'm not sure I understand the issue. I only have an old 40D but when I can't see the focus point in the viewfinder I just press the 'select focus point' button and the currently selected point is illuminated. Position it over the target and press the shutter button to cancel/shoot

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Hi Scotty,
I'm not sure I understand the issue. I only have an old 40D but when I can't see the focus point in the viewfinder I just press the 'select focus point' button and the currently selected point is illuminated. Position it over the target and press the shutter button to cancel/shoot

Have you tried to keep pressing that button with moving targets, dancers moving and leaping all the while pushing the AF button too? I do not use AI Servo, just one shot. I also have almost no feeling in my fingers. I've glued a large button on top of the shutter release so I can feel it.

With a 1D MK IV you can light the selected AF point continuously, making it a pleasure to use rather than a button pushing chore.

 

[GlynH]

If I'm reading and understanding this correctly then this is something that my original 5D had but was dropped in just about every camera after that. My 7D and 5D3 have those terrible black boxes.

It is the one thing that has put me off the 5D MKIV and is a problem due to the transmissive LCD screen I believe.

Nice to have all that info plastered across it but at the expense of the individually illuminated red focus points.

Seems they have reactivated that feature in the 1DX II which is why the larger body is on my shortlist.

Just a pity they couldn't have done the same for the MKIV as it was released after the DX2.

So in answer to your question it's a big deal for me!

-=Glyn=-

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If I'm reading and understanding this correctly then this is something that my original 5D had but was dropped in just about every camera after that. My 7D and 5D3 have those terrible black boxes.

It is the one thing that has put me off the 5D MKIV and is a problem due to the transmissive LCD screen I believe.

Nice to have all that info plastered across it but at the expense of the individually illuminated red focus points.

Seems they have reactivated that feature in the 1DX II which is why the larger body is on my shortlist.

Just a pity they couldn't have done the same for the MKIV as it was released after the DX2.

So in answer to your question it's a big deal for me!

-=Glyn=-

No, its not reactivated in the 1DX II. It uses the flashing led lit from the side while in AI servo just like the 1DX and 7D MK II, and 5D MK IV. The 1D MK IV and earlier had the selected point lit in red continuously (If you set the options). You could easily follow movement in low light keeping that point on the subject and open the shutter at the exact moment you wanted. They can have their transmissive screen back as far as I'm concerned.

Canon has not figured out how to bring back the old system. Its a pain to try to follow a subject in low light, and costs me lost shots.

 

[R1-7D]

If I'm reading and understanding this correctly then this is something that my original 5D had but was dropped in just about every camera after that. My 7D and 5D3 have those terrible black boxes.

It is the one thing that has put me off the 5D MKIV and is a problem due to the transmissive LCD screen I believe.

Nice to have all that info plastered across it but at the expense of the individually illuminated red focus points.

Seems they have reactivated that feature in the 1DX II which is why the larger body is on my shortlist.

Just a pity they couldn't have done the same for the MKIV as it was released after the DX2.

So in answer to your question it's a big deal for me!

-=Glyn=-

No, its not reactivated in the 1DX II. It uses the flashing led lit from the side while in AI servo just like the 1DX and 7D MK II, and 5D MK IV. The 1D MK IV and earlier had the selected point lit in red continuously (If you set the options). You could easily follow movement in low light keeping that point on the subject and open the shutter at the exact moment you wanted. They can have their transmissive screen back as far as I'm concerned.

Canon has not figured out how to bring back the old system. Its a pain to try to follow a subject in low light, and costs me lost shots.

Just a quick correction: the 1DX Mark II does have permanent red focus points, both in single shot focus and servo. They've fixed the issue somehow in the Mark II compared to the original 1DX, which does flash red.

I don't why they didn't do the same thing with the 5D Mark IV.

 

[Jack Douglas]

I had the 1D4 and loved the illuminated points so much that that was an influence on me choosing the 1DX2 over the 5D4. How important it really is, is a personal thing.

Jack

 

[R1-7D]

With the 1DX and 5D3 I hit the af switcher button to illuminate all the points in a dimly lit situation when shooting stills. That helps me 'aim' the camera, so to speak.

The 1DX thankfully has the flashing red AF points in servo mode. It's not perfect, but it's certainly better than not having it, like on the 5D3.

The 1DX Mark II is a huge improvement with its always red AF points. It seems strange to me that Canon opted not to include red points in the 5D4.

 

[bluenoser1993]

It never use to bother me, until recently. My son joined a volleyball ball team and I'm using servo more than before. Compounding things is the uniform, 100% black. I can't see if the focus is on the player I want and the camera can't see a darn thing to focus on anyway. Really struggling for keepers when following the action, the only decent shots are coming from prefocussed shots and waiting for the play to come to my spot. That's still pretty hit and miss at f/2.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

It never use to bother me, until recently. My son joined a volleyball ball team and I'm using servo more than before. Compounding things is the uniform, 100% black. I can't see if the focus is on the player I want and the camera can't see a darn thing to focus on anyway. Really struggling for keepers when following the action, the only decent shots are coming from prefocussed shots and waiting for the play to come to my spot. That's still pretty hit and miss at f/2.

The camera requires detail to AF, if you have spot turned on, and the target is solid balck, its going to struggle. Use a larger area that more than covers the solid black.

 

[pwp]

No, its not reactivated in the 1DX II. It uses the flashing led lit from the side while in AI servo just like the 1DX and 7D MK II, and 5D MK IV. The 1D MK IV and earlier had the selected point lit in red continuously (If you set the options). You could easily follow movement in low light keeping that point on the subject and open the shutter at the exact moment you wanted. They can have their transmissive screen back as far as I'm concerned.

Canon has not figured out how to bring back the old system. Its a pain to try to follow a subject in low light, and costs me lost shots.

This lack of function has driven me nuts since the 5DIII and subsequently with my 5DIV. It also has cost me a lot of missed shots as I search in vain for the currently selected focus point. It's an epic fail.

The constantly red illuminated current AF point in my 1D MkIV was one of the reasons I didn't retire it sooner. Even Canon I ever owned going back to a film EOS 1n right through to the 1D MkIV had the illuminated AF points. I'd also trade any minor benefits of the transmissive screen in a heartbeat to get this great productivity function back.

-pw