Autofocusing in low light for Dynax 7D

[eesteck]

Hi, I just got a 7D and tested for a few days. No doubt its a wonderful cam but one issue I faced is the low light autofocusing. Comparing to my Nikon D70, the focusing at low light is very very poor. Most of the time it just doesn't focus at all after much hunting. The AF assist from flash doesn't help much as I readlised the blinking flash light is too short for the cam to capture the focus.

Just like to check other 7D or 5D users out there how you find this issue, or is it my cam got problem?

 

[tsan81]

AF speed depend on the lens you used. Use 50mm f1.7 then you will see speed. I find onboard AF assist light useless so I nv use it.

 

[zcf]

you can get a KM flash 5600HS (D), which has a bigger and better AF assist to the camera . Focus on more contrast area or use a bigger apperture lens as suggested.

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

KM 7D got AF assist on the body? hmm makes me wonder where is it.. ;p never even notice it... hahaha... but i got a sharp eye and a super nibble fingers, so i do manual focus...

 

[tsan81]

KM 7D got AF assist on the body? hmm makes me wonder where is it.. ;p never even notice it... hahaha... but i got a sharp eye and a super nibble fingers, so i do manual focus...

Got AF assist la. but need to pull up the flash lamp thats why it is duhhhh...

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Got AF assist la. but need to pull up the flash lamp thats why it is duhhhh...

orr.. something like modelling light thing ar.... chey... i find it very noisy and useless...

 

[eesteck]

thanks for all comments. Understand that if I use a better lens, problem will be minimised. But want to seek concurrent from other user whether is it a known problem with 7D? Of course if it is, will have to accept it. But woory is problenm with my set. You know now is so troublesome sending in for service and checking. That's why tot faster to seek some opinion here.

Any KM user who have tried nikon D70 etc will know how much diff is the AF under low light. D70 can get focused within 2 seconds even under near complete darkness. Their AF assist lamp really good.

 

[Agetan]

thanks for all comments. Understand that if I use a better lens, problem will be minimised. But want to seek concurrent from other user whether is it a known problem with 7D? Of course if it is, will have to accept it. But woory is problenm with my set. You know now is so troublesome sending in for service and checking. That's why tot faster to seek some opinion here.

Any KM user who have tried nikon D70 etc will know how much diff is the AF under low light. D70 can get focused within 2 seconds even under near complete darkness. Their AF assist lamp really good.

If it is really dark, what I do is to put the 5600HS flash on the top of the camera and turn the flash off, When you focus, the flash will beam infra red pattern which the camera can read and find focus. It is limited to about 5 meters... longer than that it is not effective.. I will do manual focus with my 50mm f1.4 prime lens.

It works with other types of flash as well, as long as they are minolta flash.

If it is total darkness, I won't take a shot... final picture will be "blank" anyway hehehehehe.. sorry for the punt :bsmilie:

Regards,

Hart

 

[eesteck]

If it is really dark, what I do is to put the 5600HS flash on the top of the camera and turn the flash off, When you focus, the flash will beam infra red pattern which the camera can read and find focus. It is limited to about 5 meters... longer than that it is not effective.. I will do manual focus with my 50mm f1.4 prime lens.

It works with other types of flash as well, as long as they are minolta flash.

If it is total darkness, I won't take a shot... final picture will be "blank" anyway hehehehehe.. sorry for the punt :bsmilie:

Regards,

Hart

Agree that no point taking in darkness without flash. But if with flash on, the cam still need to focus before can take decent picture. So if the AF assist function no gd, is still a problem. Thanks for pointing out the the KM external flash has infra AF assist lamp. Will try that when get one.

Looks like still no answer to my main question which is not seeking solutions but checking if the problem/characteristic of AF under low light is normal for KM 7D.:dunno: :dunno:

 

[tsan81]

Looks like still no answer to my main question which is not seeking solutions but checking if the problem/characteristic of AF under low light is normal for KM 7D.:dunno: :dunno:

I think it is a normal problem that most cams AF speed slows down in low light.

 

[eow]

Hi, I just got a 7D and tested for a few days. No doubt its a wonderful cam but one issue I faced is the low light autofocusing. Comparing to my Nikon D70, the focusing at low light is very very poor. Most of the time it just doesn't focus at all after much hunting. The AF assist from flash doesn't help much as I readlised the blinking flash light is too short for the cam to capture the focus.

Just like to check other 7D or 5D users out there how you find this issue, or is it my cam got problem?

Get the canon it better than either the abv even the 20d when came to lowlight performance....surpassing even the nikon d2#

 

[steel]

compared with other DSLR, KM 7D is AF slower under low light condition.

 

[Toto38]

compared with other DSLR, KM 7D is AF slower under low light condition.

I will say yes! but did you try others brands, so expensive and yet got the same problem? And compare to 70D, 7D are much much much.......... more better than it!
Ai Ya! So many things to tell you, i lazy to type lar!
Since you are Minolta user, call me at 96383643 I will tell you how! But after 1.00pm any days.

 

[Agetan]

my 7D can focus at very low light without any problem...

I just shoot a Dawn service for ANZAC DAY, average exposure is like 1/4sec at f4 or f2.8@ISO1600 and flash is not allowed at some part of the service, so it is AS on with Monopod.

I use 20mm f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 SSM, 28-75 f2.8, all seems to lock in focus instantly, but I have the 5600HS turn off and mounted on the 7D.

Regards,

Hart

 

[eow]

I will say yes! but did you try others brands, so expensive and yet got the same problem? And compare to 70D, 7D are much much much.......... more better than it!
Ai Ya! So many things to tell you, i lazy to type lar!
Since you are Minolta user, call me at 96383643 I will tell you how! But after 1.00pm any days.

also interested in knowning
will call u in the afternoon can?

 

[Drudkh]

I will say yes! but did you try others brands, so expensive and yet got the same problem? And compare to 70D, 7D are much much much.......... more better than it!
Ai Ya! So many things to tell you, i lazy to type lar!
Since you are Minolta user, call me at 96383643 I will tell you how! But after 1.00pm any days.

WOW! The master is :thumbsup:

 

[tankm]

You call him and post it here okie, if not his handphone will be super busy liao. Hope he has incoming free ..... :thumbsup:

also interested in knowning
will call u in the afternoon can?

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Stanley should start a Minolta Appreciation class for us Minolta users, then we go there can know more about Minolta mah..

 

[Toto38]

WOW! The master is :thumbsup:

He just PM me liao! I will try to answer his questions:sweat:

 

[Toto38]

Stanley should start a Minolta Appreciation class for us Minolta users, then we go there can know more about Minolta mah..

I have try liao lar! But i was sick with the Minolta Manager 5 or 6 years ago! I think they got $$$$ problems, that's why Sony came in mah! Any way i still LOVE 7D so much!!!!! Very cheap & good hor! I hope they can look for me again than i can tell them how!?