7D low-light focusing performance

[clives]

Background: Will be taking pictures in a darkened dance hall this

weekend. I've search photo.net for comments re 7D's low light

focusing...nothing concrete. I tried the focus in low light in the

house and it seems fine. I cam always manually focus carefully if it

is an issue.

 

Question: Anyone have experience in a low lighted dance hall--

wedding reception--with the 7D? How'd it do under pressure?

 

Thanks. Clive

[mueden]

That depends on the actual low light levels of the dance hall. If it's too dark the camera will have difficulty focusing, like any other camera. Use the on-camera flash to assist your focusing, though I find the on-camera flash does an "okay" job of assisting the focus in dimmed areas. It is kind of slow even when the immediate need to capture a momemt is not critical, and can be anoying when trying to photograph groups. I suggest using the 5600, 3600, or even the 2500(?) flashes, the focus assist light is much better and quicker.

[bill_tuthill]

The 7D and 5D can both autofocus down to -1 EV, same as the film

Maxxum 7 and 5. It amazes me that AF is possible in near darkness.

[clives]

Thanks. I have the 2500 flash. Had not used in darkness. (Duh!) Will know tonight for sure. Appreciate the advice ... makes me feel more comfortable. Clive

[nate_macdonald]

I thought the 7d had an infrared low-light focus assist?

[bill_tuthill]

If I recall correctly, the Canon A2E (EOS5) and Maxxum 7 and 9 film

cameras have red/infrared autofocus assist lamp, but the 7D does not.

It doesn't work at long distance anyway, at least not the one

on my 3600HS.

[clives]

The 2500 in the 7D "kit" worked "okay" but was SLOW to focus in the dark wedding dance hall. I have an old 5200i and it is a far superior flash...but not compatable with the 7D....however I have tried it (not at the wedding) and it works fine in M mode..just have to take a few images to get the exposure correct for one given situation: light & distance.

 

The 7D has performed rather well so far...logged 1000 images in six days. :)