Request for Advice: 5D3 AF issues nightphotography

[pedro]

Hi,
My 5D3 is a great cam. Coming from the 30D I set its AF by suggestion of my brick and mortar dealer on the center AF point. In 90% of the cases it works great.
But compared to the 30Ds center AF point which was quite snappy even at very distant and dim light in moonless nights, the 5D3 AF is struggling a bit. Still being in my learning curve since August, what are the mistakes by my side while handling my gear.
AF on the moon: no problem.
AF on Jupiter: mostly no problem.
AF on some distant, dimmer light at full darkness...not always working.

Guess I've read about slight issues here, so thank you for any help
Cheers, Peter in Switzerland.

 

[J.R.]

Hi,
My 5D3 is a great cam. Coming from the 30D I set its AF by suggestion of my brick and mortar dealer on the center AF point. In 90% of the cases it works great.
But compared to the 30Ds center AF point which was quite snappy even at very distant and dim light in moonless nights, the 5D3 AF is struggling a bit. Still being in my learning curve since August, what are the mistakes by my side while handling my gear.
AF on the moon: no problem.
AF on Jupiter: mostly no problem.
AF on some distant, dimmer light at full darkness...not always working.

Guess I've read about slight issues here, so thank you for any help
Cheers, Peter in Switzerland.

+1

I have similar issues with the 5DIII in very low light situations. Can't say about the 30D but my 7D is also unable to focus in similar conditions.

Maybe we are expecting too much from the AF system.

 

[zim]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

 

[pedro]

If I am correct, yes. There was a strange big light ball in the nightsky I was able to focus at beneath a Septmeber sky last year. So, I asked at flickr. Well, most of the time I focus manually...So not a big issue under the nightsky.

 

[J.R.]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

It's easily visible as the brightest "star" in the sky. AF easily using live view

 

[pedro]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

It's easily visible as the brightest "star" in the sky. AF easily using live view

yes, it is. Even without LV.

 

[TexPhoto]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

It's easily visible as the brightest "star" in the sky. AF easily using live view

yes, it is. Even without LV.

Boys AF on Mars to get more candy bars.
Girls AF on Jupiter to get more...

 

[J.R.]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

It's easily visible as the brightest "star" in the sky. AF easily using live view

yes, it is. Even without LV.

I've never tried it with the phase detection basically for the reason that the camera is mounted on a tripod and its fairly easy with LV. I engage in Astrophotography only when I have ample time and BTW, Jupiter's not going anywhere in a hurry . One other reason I prefer LV is because I don't need to use MLU shooting in LV.

 

[pedro]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

It's easily visible as the brightest "star" in the sky. AF easily using live view

yes, it is. Even without LV.

Boys AF on Mars to get more candy bars.
Girls AF on Jupiter to get more...

;D

 

[rpt]

AF on Jupiter, seriously?

Oh yes, it does! I was focussing to infinity before shooting star trails and it works great!

 

[sanj]

Pedro.
Use a little flashlight, set the focus on infinity and CHILL.

 

[J.R.]

Pedro.
Use a little flashlight, set the focus on infinity and CHILL.

+1

I've done that a few times but prefer the LV. Probably coz I'm a control freak wanting stuff to be perfect before pressing the shutter button.

 

[sanj]

Yep live view is safer.

 

[sanj]

I so prefer lenses with 'hard stops' like my zeiss 35 and 15 for this.

 

[J.R.]

Would love to have zeiss glass. Does Canon have any lens with a hard stop? Also, is infrared photography possible on the current DSLRs without a permanent modification of the camera?

 

[sanj]

JR!! I do not know friend. These questions are far too technical for me... But if I get this info anywhere I will tell you. Wait I want to check something...

I just walked to the cupboard and checked. Yep, the 90 tilt shift has a hard stop. My 24 ts is out on rental so cant check but feel confident that it also has a hard stop. But f4 is not too good for stars...

 

[Jesse]

Was Jupiter closer than infinity????

 

[Jesse]

Canon's tilt-shift lenses have hard stops.

 

[J.R.]

Was Jupiter closer than infinity????

If it were we'd be in deep shit!

 

[zim]

What lens are you using? I'd have thought Jupiter would be nothing more than a fuzzy little ball with anything less than a 4" reflector?