G5 / Focus - Light Problem

[walterh]

Hello,

i just bought a new Canon G5. First tests came close to my (high)

expectations, based largely on numerous helpful presentations and

discussions on Photo.net.

 

One finding though is very disturbing: when focussing in dim light

the camera illuminates the object by a small blueish lightsource. the

light is not centered and half way out of the center (focussing) area

marked by a square. with changing distances and focal length the

position relative to the center square varies but under no condition

is it even close to beeing well centered. before i return the camera

i just want to know if others have observed this problem as well.

comments would be helpful.

 

cheers

 

walter

[david_haynes]

Does your camera focus in low light? Have you had problems

with focus?

[walterh]

well David, after using almost every brand AF-slr-camera starting with the minolta maxxum since the introduction of AF (scipping the F3-nikon with its special AF equipment) i never expected less from autofocus than now.

 

so to answer your question , yes the autofocus in low light leaves much to be desired - however i am not sure if a say 50% increase in assist light in the active focussing area would really improve matters .-)

 

cheers

walter

[steve_hovland]

What do you mean by low light?

 

Are low light shots the rule or the exception in your photography?

 

If you do mostly low light then you should shop for a camera built for those conditions.

 

If not, keep in mind that most systems are not designed around the exceptions, but for the most common cases.

[walterh]

just a reminder- the question is not how well or poor the G5 or other digital cameras focus in low light. the question is if individual other G5 cameras have the "assist light" centered with respect to the frame and positioned within the focus square under most operating conditions. i just want to poll if this is a common or rare misalignment.

 

cheers

walter

[garry_marshall]

Hello

 

I got my G5 2 weeks ago, and the AF assist light performs in the same way as yours, I've notice the camera will focus more efficiently in low light with it set to on.

Try a few test shots with it turned on and off.

 

Garry

[walterh]

in the store today i tried another G5 that they offered me for exchange. same problem. at longest tele setting of the lens 50% of the focus-assist-light was outside of the focussing area. will contact canon now to see what they say.

 

cheers

walter

[david_haynes]

I've had a G5 for about 6 months and the focus assist light is a

moot point for me as I have a lensmate adapter that blocks the

AF assist light anyway.

 

But I don't and never have expected the camera - or any p&s type

- to have instantaneous AF in dim or low light. I just accept this a

part of the operation of the camera.

 

As to the light being off center, I don't know, but I'd speculate that

it would be more effective (i.e. - create more contrast for focus) if

it were not dead center because with the light source originating

so close to the lens-subject axis it would produce a flat light and

little contrast. Again, this is just a guess (BTW, I checked mine

and it is not centered either)

 

That said if ever I can't lock into focus in a timely manner on the

G5 I use the manual focus (MF) button on the back of the camera

and focus manually. It works surprisingly well, especially

compared to my G2. But rarely has this been a problem.

 

I see cameras like the G5 and its bretheren by other

manufacturers as better-than-average snapshot cameras with

lots of extra controls. I do not expect professional features found

on dslrs, such as extremely fine tuned AF in low light. In fact, one

of the reasons I paid more for with my 1D compared to my 10D

was the vastly improved AF on the 1D. That doesn't mean that my

10D is a bad camera or has a problem, it just means that I try to

select the "best tool in the box" for the job at hand.

 

It'd be nice if one camera could be all things to all people, but so

far that camera hasn't been designed and built. I think the G5 in

a great camera as a carry-around-anywhere buddy capable of

nice images within the range of photo-ops where it's

appropriate.

 

Just my 2¢

[walterh]

OK 2 out of 2 non centered AF assist lights. hmmm a convincing 100% - if only the numbers would be higher for statistics :-)

 

come on you canon G5 owners ! give it a test ! :-)

 

in a dim room go to tele and point to a white or gray wall and focus. on the lcd you see a blue spot _> your AF assist light. is it centered with respect to the little square in the middle of the screen?

 

yust a poll - no comments that 619 euro camera will not focus as well as a 3000euro professional slr :-/ suggestions why a misalignment might be really necessary are of course welcome .-P but i think with less assist light focussing will be less easy, or as konfuzius said: no photons -> no focus :-P

 

 

cheers

walter

PS: this has been such a professional forum for me please take a technical view on a technical question .-P

[thomas_hobbs1]

OK I checked my G5. The focus assist light is centered in the box at both the max tele and at the widest angle. I don't know if it means anything or not. I've been using the G5 for almost 6 months and as long as I "wait" for it to focus in low light, it does a good job.

 

Tom

[walterh]

Thomas you are my heroe! :-)

 

it proves the assist light can be in center!

so now i can bug canon to get me a camera that will be the way it should be.

thanks.

and cheers

walter

[dennis_fraser_jones]

Walter I have a G3 which is virtually identical except for the resolution and if your AF assist light isn't in the focus box then it won't illuminate the target/subject and therefore won't assist the focussing. It must be a fault. Regards