Jump to content

Why no Focus Assist light on Canon EOS ?


hjoseph7

Recommended Posts

I searched the Web, local libraries even the Universe to find out why Canon did not include the 'Focus Assist light(FAL)' on any of their cameras ? Even their Pro-level models ! The Focus Assist light helps the camera lock focus in very dim lighted areas. Pentax, Nikon, Fuji and other manufacturers included The FAL in their camera and they did not make a big deal about it. Actually you would never know it was there until one day while shooting, you noticed a red or green light shooting out of your camera.

 

Canon does include the FAL in their flash units such as the 580 EX, 430EX etc. They also include it in their STE-2 off camera transmitter. This means that if you are in a very dim area, you can throw one of these on top of your camera and the Focus Assist Light coming from the flash or transmitter will help you lock focus.

 

The problem with that, (and I'm not sure why Canon did not come up with this ?) is, suppose you want to use non-Canon strobes like in a Studio setting, or specialized flash units, then what ? Suppose you want to use non-Canon transmitters like 'Cactus', or 'Pocket Wizards' then what ?

 

On my P/T job, I'm often asked to photograph properties where Electricity is NOT guaranteed. Even though I'm using 'L' series lenses, when the EV in the room goes down to a certain level, it is impossible to lock focus. This drives me crazy and I have to run to my car to get a pocket flash-light to help with the focusing. I can't use a Canon flash because I have a Pocket Wizard in the hot-shoe which triggers an off-camera, non-Canon Strobe. I searched the web, but there are no other alternatives other than a flash-light. What was Canon thinking ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure why, or if Canon ever discussed this in a public forum, but my Elan IIe certainly had a really good AF assist lamp which projected a red grid line for AF assist and was effective in total darkness (within its limited range). I believe the EOS 5 had a similar system and the film Rebels I have used had a white AF assist light, or otherwise known as the "white light of hell" which was completely distracting and needed to be shut off. I don't believe the EOS 3 or 5D had an assist light, and without doing extensive research, the Nikon D5, D850, and Z7 do not have AF assist lights. Even a good AF assist light has a limited effective range of about 10-15 feet, is designed to cover a limited field of view, and not terribly useful with long lenses or moving subjects. I have only used mono-lights with modeling lights on, which made it quite easy to focus even with a lowly 5D mk I.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the EOS D60 was the last Canon to have an in-body AF Assist Lamp. Later cameras use the pop-up built-in flash to provide AF Assist.

 

You could get around this problem by switching to a wireless trigger system that includes an AF assist light like this YN622C. It also includes a pass through hot shoe so you might be able to continue using your Pocket Wizards.

 

6A1A0C0F-D1DC-4D82-8CC2-D5591E337CA8.jpeg.b16f35e294c3a47997f4bc05f7d779a0.jpeg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

While focus assist lights are nice to have, it is pretty useless to build them into compact SLRs, where they are quite likely to get overshadowed by behemoth lenses and their hoods.

Some Canon battery grips (I wonder who buys those, mine is 3rd party) came with a PC socket. You could probably put your wireless trigger on an L bracket and wire it to the socket?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mark beat me to it: my 5D Mark IV has an AF assist beam. Ditto, my 7D--the old, first generation model, not the Mark II. Just look in the manual for your camera. If you download the PDF of the manual, you can even search for it that way. Canon calls it "AF-assist beam"
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you want, you could also use a small pen light. I recall seeing these used years ago. You can pick up a nice LED pen light flashlight at Harbor Frieght for under $10. I have a couple bigger ones also that are like stage spot lights.

 

[ATTACH=full]1425020[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH=full]1425021[/ATTACH]

The pen-light has to be really good, at least 300+ lumen for my purposes. I tried a couple of cheapo ones and they could not cut it. Well if the 5D Mark 4 has it, good for Canon, they finally decided to bypass the 'Marketing Department !

Edited by hjoseph7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...