EOS1V Autofocus v Nikon

[simon_narborough]

OK folks, another Canon v Nikon question:

I have been using Nikon for the last 15 years (T90 affectionado before that). Had the

F5, got the F100 now. I "only" use 3 lens'. Now for the problem:

I am constantly frustrated by the poor performance of the F100 autofocus system. I

do a lot of street shooting, and as such need fast and reliable response. The F5 is too

big and cumbersome, and so I am considering a switch back to Canon (the EOS1V).

The advantage to me is that it can be smaller than the F5, but can get the frame rates

up when needed with the booster.

Does anyone have any real experience between the 2 systems, and if so, would I just

be swapping 1 autofocus problem for another?

Comments appreciated.

Best to all....

[chris_hawkins]

I owned the the F100 and now own a EOS IV. I used high quality lenses in both systems (Nikon 80-200 F2.8 AFS, Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS, Canon 300 F2.8 IS, etc.). My F100 focused much faster than the EOS IV.

[jackflesher]

"My F100 focused much faster than the EOS IV."

 

Interesting comment -- my experience was opposite. Did you ever use any Canon USM primes with the 1V? But to be clear, IMO there simply isn't a huge difference in focus speed -- both are pretty fast -- though IMO the Canon gets the edge. Where the Canon shines is in the servo focus mode, where (again IMO only) it beats the pants off Nikon's "continuous-predictive" mode. But to be fair, I did think the F5 had the BEST internal metering system of ANY camera I ever used and in general I think Nikon's matrix metering is better than Canon's evaluative -- though this question was not asked...

[PuppyDigs]

What a couple milliseconds faster? I honestly couldn't tell much difference between the two in causal shooting.

 

There are other AF issues to consider. Is it faster with only the center AF sensor enabled or all of them? [assuming, of course, both lenses sport AF motors in the lens] Which one is more accurate and dependable in low contrast, low light situations? Which one deals best with off center subjects? Which body is easier to select individual AF sensors? Does AF performance degrade much with slower lenses?

[chris_hawkins]

"Did you ever use any Canon USM primes with the 1V?" My complete lineup. For

Nikon: 20mm F2.8, 28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8, 105mm F2.8 macro. For Canon:

20mm F2.8, 50mm F1.4, 180mm F3.5, 300mm F2.8 IS.

[scott_ferris]

Hi all,

 

Now my only experiance with an F100 was with some top of the

range Sigma lenses so it might not be fair as I've only used

Canon lenses on my 1V but it focuses noticeably faster than the

F100 did.

 

Now at the risk of starting an argument (something I'm not

normally too worried about) Christopher has derided the speed

of Canon AF on several occasions. Now his personal

experiance might be so, in which case I'd get my bodies

checked, but Canon do say that the 1V and 300 f2.8 is the fastest

(predictive) focusing 35mm lens and body combo out there,

Nikon don't make that claim, but any way you look at it the 1V is

NOT slow and the vast majority of people who have used both,

would, I suspect agree.

 

Simon, like you after years of FD use (F1N's) I looked around

and went for the 1V not least because you can make it smaller,

the matrix metering is supposed to be better in the F5 but I have

found the Evaluative on the 1V so superior to the F1N's metering

that I am more than pleased and changing screens to change

metering patterns is now a distant memory!

 

Take care, Scott.

[jackflesher]

I think Scott has a point -- If Christopher's 1V is that slow, something must be wrong with it. I have all of the lenses he mentions for the Canon and the only one that I consider "slow" is the 180. The 300/2.8 is essentially instant, even going from 5 meters to infinity.

 

Chrristopher: Have you tried any other Canon 1V/1D/1Ds bodies to compare to yours?

[kitipong_morkchareonpong]

F100 employs 3 cross AF sensors in horizontal. I think and my experience confirmed that its AF is simply the best among the two systems, if COMPARABLE lenses (same max aperatures, USM vs AF-S) are used, as tested in relatively dark (or nearly dark) environment. I owned both systems before swithcing completely to Canon (EOS 3, EOS 30, and EOS 1V) to elimiate the hassels of carrying two (incompatible) systems. EOS 1V only has cross sensors clustered in the central area. If you're gonna use left and right AF sensors a lot, and AF performance is purely your reason for swithing, I think nothing can beat F100.

 

For the sake of comparison, these are the equipment I own, or used to own.

 

Nikon: F100, AF-S 17-35/2.8 IF-ED, AF-S 28-70/2.8 IF-ED, AF-D 80-200/2.8 IF-ED w/collar

 

Canon: EOS 3 (sold), EOS 30, EOS 1V, 16-35/2.8 L, 20-35/2.8 L, 70-200/2.8 L IS, 28-135 IS (sold), 20/2.8, 24/2.8, 28/1.8, 28/2.8, 50/1.4, 100/2.8 USM Macro.

 

Good luck in you decision,

Kitipong.

[brad_w]

simon -

i recently switched from an N90s to an Eos 3.. In my experience, you MAY be

swapping one set of problems for another, it depends on exactly what AF

problems you are encountering.

 

1. low light AF, i believe my Eos 3 is better, but this is a strong function of lens

speed. my beloved 70-200/4L is, naturally, a poor performer in low light.

 

2. outright AF speed is a wash. i don't think either one is obviously faster. as

you know with nikon, AF speed is a strong function of the lens, a weaker

function of the body.

 

3. sensor size/orientation. nikon's sensor's are physically larger, increasing

the odds that they will cover a region with enough contrast to focus effectively.

nikon uses more cross sensors and places their axes oblique to the image;

canon is confined the axes of the image, so you are more likely to fail when

focussing on verticals and horizontals. in my exerience these are not just

academic points.

 

4. if overall body size is a concern, do not underestimate the size off canon's

pro platform. these bodies are significantly larger than your F100, even

without the boosters. I had to entirely re-configure my camera carrying

systems to accomodate them.

 

good luck -

b

[digitmstr]

>>20mm F2.8, 50mm F1.4, 180mm F3.5, 300mm F2.8 IS.<<

 

those are not the fastest focusing lenses that Canon makes. But, that is the point: the lens will determine te speed. Which is variable on the Canon system.

 

But, the EOS1v 45 point AF is simply amazing! Rent one and you'll see for yourself! Put an 85 f/1.8 on it and see just how fast it can work.

[fotografz]

I've shot extensively with both sets of cameras in a wide range of lighting conditions

(weddings, where you're outside in the sunlight one minute and in a dark reception

the next). I currently use Canon EOS 1Ds and 10D, but not because of the AF or

metering, but because Canon pulled ahead with full frame digital capture. If I were

still shooting film, there would not be a compelling reason to switch systems and

suffer all the costs involved.

 

In general, I also believe Nikon to be the more rugged of the two. In the years of

shooting weddings with a Nikon D1-x and F-100/F5 I had zero failures in the

punishing world of weddings. I cannot say that about Canon after less than one year.

Plus, I preferred the aperture rings of the Nikon lenses when working in manual mode.

But it's no big deal, both are tough as nails and built to professional standards.

[doug_lee__cinnaminson__nj]

I have used (owned) both. The EOS-1V is faster in my opinion. Also, the canon "hunts" much less than the Nikon. I currenly own the EOS-1VHS and a 10D. Use both for weddings.

[will_perlis]

Agreed. My 1v (and the -3 before it) were almost instantaneous in AF given anything but a blank wall to work with.

[chris_hawkins]

To all who have suggested that my experience is unusual and that I should get my

EOS 1V checked, thank you. I'm going to do it. I sent my D60 in for repair last week (

86 hot pixels and poor autofocus speed.) As soon as the D60 comes back, I'll send in

the EOS 1V. I'll report back the results from both repairs in the general forum.

[simon_narborough]

To all who submitted a response. THANK YOU!!

I very much appreciate all the insightful comments, and personal experiences. They

count more than any number of Salesman at B&H !

Its given me much to consider, especially when I rent an 1v hs for a week or so.

 

Once again, thanks to all.

Best,

Simon

[r._d.]

My 1V is awesome using L glass and primes.

[david_carson]

I own a 1n, and have rented a 1v and both a F5 and F100. I

perferred the F5 feel overall, but I'm waiting to see the digital path

Nikon lays out (full frame chip, anyone?).

 

Here's the main problem with the F100 autofocus: no release

priority in S mode (only focus priority allowed). The 1v and F5

both have ways to always have release priority in any focus

mode (ie. the dang camera shoots when YOU want it too). This

is a problem when you want to recompose after focusing and the

camera doesn't shoot because your selected focus point doesn't

cover anything in focus.

 

The other problem is that although the selected focus point

lights up to tell you which point is active (which doesn't matter if

you always use the center one, like me) it DOESN'T light up

again to tell you focus is confirmed like the Canon does. One

must check the focus confirmation dot in the info display on the

bottom. The F5's focus points don't light up at all, but the

selected one remains black (with the right screen...not all the

screens) and the focus confirmation dot in the info display is in a

better 'sight' position in the upper right.

[rendy_setiadjie]

Canon ! I ask so many pro photographer and they tend to be to EOS system. Do not forget for digital that Canon leads the competition ahead ...