Tracking AF - 5D MkIV vs 7D MkII

[pwp]

I've never really put Automatic AF point selection mode with all 65 AF points active to the test on a job, but gave it a try this week while shooting very active teenagers for a glossy private school prospectus. The 5D MkIII is obviously a non-starter. With Servo AF it's pretty good if you keep the AF point or cluster on the subject. But the 7D MkII with 70-200 f/2.8IIis managed surprisingly well using the Automatic AF point selection mode with all 65 AF points active, and I'm sure will get better as my technique refines. You just get different, far more dynamic and interesting shots. I've read in reviews that the 1DX MkII is outrageously good in this mode, it hardly misses a shot once it's locked onto a moving subject.

I'm really seeing the potential of this mode, and have been trying to find out where the 5D MkIV ranks against the 1DX MkII and 7D MkII. One 5D MkIV reviewer who touched on the subject of Servo AF comparisons was the sometimes unreliable Ken Rockwell who ranked the 5D MkIV servo tracking AF with the 5DsR...meaning adequate but not that fast. That doesn't sound right.

I'd get a 1DX MkII for it's unrivaled AF credentials, but the silent shutter in the 5DIII and 7DII has opened creative doors to an unanticipated extent. particularly with corporate, education and theatre clients. The otherwise perfect 1DX II shutter is just loud, even in alleged "silent" mode. If the 5D MkIV performed equally or beyond the 7D MkII in servo tracking AF mode, I'd get one straight away.

Anyone with direct experience here? Thanks in advance...

-pw

 

[YuengLinger]

Excellent, valid question, which, I'm afraid will be greeted with defeatist claims that AF systems cannot be objectively compared. At least that's what I've heard in reviews. Surely Canon and Nikon test their systems and tweak accordingly.

I think a great topic might be establishing some tests that can be implemented without great expense, AND produce reliable results. Brainstorming--and sharing insights, if any camera developer insiders dare, regarding how camera manufacturers do their testing.

 

[tron]

Since my 5D3 with 100-400 II tracked seagulls just fine I assume that 5D4 will be fine. This is a non scientific observation of course but it is hard to believe it will not be good/fast.

To add some humour (or humor!): I am certain that 5D4's tracking capabilities will exceed its .... low light non-banding capabilities ;D (More on the topic when my replacement 5D4 arrives )

 

[pwp]

Dustin Abbots new review suggests that tracking AF is very responsive, but it would be great to hear feedback from action shooters using the 5D MkIV.

I probably should have been clearer in my original post, it's the EOS iTR AF - Intelligent Tracking and Recognition Auto Focus function I'm getting my head around.

-pw

 

[Josh Denver]

In my experience and pretty much everyone I know who shoots both, the 7DII has the same 1DX AF performance. Both feel and get the exact same results in the field (when everything is right and set up).

I have no idea if the 1DXII makes a new noticeable difference.

The best AF system I've ever shot was on the Nikon D4s, ridiculous how it sticks to objects and hunts them like a lion and a slow prey! It's a bit better than the 7DII/1Dx in that specific scenario/use.

I am commenting to tell you that the 7DII is pretty much as good as it gets in terms of speed of shutter and AF. Don't expect to momentarily practically feel better servo AF by jumping to any other camera.

 

[AlanF]

Since my 5D3 with 100-400 II tracked seagals just fine ..............

Steven Seagal is a pretty big guy and doesn't move that fast - mainly fast hands and pretty motionless in his martial art movies.

 

[Larsskv]

In my experience and pretty much everyone I know who shoots both, the 7DII has the same 1DX AF performance. Both feel and get the exact same results in the field (when everything is right and set up).

I have no idea if the 1DXII makes a new noticeable difference.

The best AF system I've ever shot was on the Nikon D4s, ridiculous how it sticks to objects and hunts them like a lion and a slow prey! It's a bit better than the 7DII/1Dx in that specific scenario/use.

I am commenting to tell you that the 7DII is pretty much as good as it gets in terms of speed of shutter and AF. Don't expect to momentarily practically feel better servo AF by jumping to any other camera.

I have compared the EOS ITR AF tracking on the 5Ds, 7DII and 1DX when shooting flying birds. The 1DX was the best of the bunch, as expected. The 5Ds was better than the 7DII, percentage wise, but the 7DII with it's superior fps produced more keepers than the 5Ds.

The new AF and especially the ITR-AF in the 1DX II (and the 5DIV) is supposed to be significantly improved, over the 1DX.

 

[tron]

Since my 5D3 with 100-400 II tracked seagulls just fine ..............

Steven Seagal is a pretty big guy and doesn't move that fast - mainly fast hands and pretty motionless in his martial art movies.

Sorry for the mistake. English is not my native language. I have a right to make a mistake every now and then I guess...

 

[tron]

I've never really put Automatic AF point selection mode with all 65 AF points active to the test on a job, but gave it a try this week while shooting very active teenagers for a glossy private school prospectus. The 5D MkIII is obviously a non-starter. With Servo AF it's pretty good if you keep the AF point or cluster on the subject. But the 7D MkII with 70-200 f/2.8IIis managed surprisingly well using the Automatic AF point selection mode with all 65 AF points active, and I'm sure will get better as my technique refines. You just get different, far more dynamic and interesting shots. I've read in reviews that the 1DX MkII is outrageously good in this mode, it hardly misses a shot once it's locked onto a moving subject.

I'm really seeing the potential of this mode, and have been trying to find out where the 5D MkIV ranks against the 1DX MkII and 7D MkII. One 5D MkIV reviewer who touched on the subject of Servo AF comparisons was the sometimes unreliable Ken Rockwell who ranked the 5D MkIV servo tracking AF with the 5DsR...meaning adequate but not that fast. That doesn't sound right.

I'd get a 1DX MkII for it's unrivaled AF credentials, but the silent shutter in the 5DIII and 7DII has opened creative doors to an unanticipated extent. particularly with corporate, education and theatre clients. The otherwise perfect 1DX II shutter is just loud, even in alleged "silent" mode. If the 5D MkIV performed equally or beyond the 7D MkII in servo tracking AF mode, I'd get one straight away.

Anyone with direct experience here? Thanks in advance...

-pw

+1 Silent shutter rocks! I have enjoyed it in an almost impossible situation

 

[PixelTrawler]

iTr on or off?

What have people been been finding works best for non human subjects e.g. Motorsports, wildlife etc

Hard to find a consensus online. The 5d4 is my first camera with it and I only have it a few days.

 

[pwp]

iTr on or off?
Hard to find a consensus online. The 5d4 is my first camera with it and I only have it a few days.

You'll enjoy that 5D4! Let us know how the iTR AF goes.

-pw

 

[PixelTrawler]

Had it out this morning. Tried with it on or off but its too early to say which is besr.

I struggled with the mark 3 AF and a canon 100 to 400 v1. If it lost focus tracking a bird it wouldnt get it back.
I put a lot of it down to lousy technique because I see plenty of good shots with that camera posted daily.
Tried all the cases etc

So bringing my lousy technique to the mark 4... its fast. It locks quick.
Once or twice (due to me swinging a long lense) it lost track for a fraction of a second... but it relocks fast...
Impressive...

But i still have no idea if iTR off or on is better for birds...