stuart_ashall

Thank you very much for your responses.

I shall be having a look at the AF sensors...

Stuart

Hi Simon,

Not really is the answer. I've tried it with 24-105 and 17-40 same story.

The point you make is a valid one - but again would you not expect more than one of the AF points to perform badly in low contrast / low light and not just the same one every time?

Interesting what you say about the 50/1.4 - that's next on my list!

Thank you very much for your input

Stuart

Thanks for the prompt response Rainer - really appreciate it.

The body is a 5D.

I'll look into the dirt on AF sensor aspect.

Stuart

I have developed an auto focus problem with my Canon DSLR.

I generally manually select the auto focus points. Recently I have noticed that

one particular focus point when selected struggles to lock. To be exact it

throws the image right out, hunts and then often fails to acquire.

This only happens in situations of low contrast and in relatively low light.

Now I know that AF will struggle in these conditions but the point is that in

the same conditions every other focus point if placed over the exact same point

in the frame will lock instantly without problem.

Other things to mention...I have tested this at various distances (all outside

of the closest focus distance), at differing focal lengths, apertures and the

result is always the same: this one AF point has great difficulty compared to

the rest.

It is also the same result with different lenses so it is a problem with the

body and not a lens.

The AF point in question is the one nearest to 2 o clock if you know what I

mean.

I have heard that cleaning the contacts between lens and body (with a pencil

eraser of all things!) may solve it but before I reach for my school pencil

case or, as I am getting ready to do, send it back to the shop I wonder if

anyone has any insight or ideas to offer.

Thanks for your help,

Stuart

Hello everyone.

On the back of some very useful advice on this forum I have, a matter of hours

ago, bought a Canon 5d. Enthusiastic playing (sorry testing) was going very

well. However I seem to have a problem - for some reason the AE lock indicator

("*") does not appear in the viewfinder to confirm AE lock in manual mode. It

does in all of the other modes - just not in manual. Am I being galactically

stupid here or is there something wrong with it?

All responses very gratefully recieved.

(Incidentally picture quality straight out of the tin is superb...)

Thanks,

Stuart

Wow - what a difference a day makes!

A sincere thank you to all who responded. I found the comments very helpful.

For those suggesting the 16-35 I'm afraid I've already gone way beyond what the treasurer is comfortable with by opting for the 5d. One thing I've learned is that when you're on thin ice the last thing you do is start jumping up and down. There is no wiggle room in this budget.

Given that I want the best lens I can afford now it's looking like the 17-40. Although I have taken the advice given on board and have both lenses on order at the local shop and will have a good look at them before making my final decision.

One final point - what filters do people put in front of these lenses? Here I'm taking about gel filters such as Lee / Cokin. Are these systems wide enough for a 17mm UWA?

Thanks again for the responses.

Stuart

This is my first post on this (or any) forum!

I apologise if I'm repeating an earlier query but I can't see anything quite on

this point...

I have decided to go for a 5d. I have also decided to go for the "kit" lens 24-

105L which looks like a great all rounder.

I also would want a wider angle lens to take full advantage of the full frame

sensor. Question is which one?

My budget will not stretch to 16-35L. I don't want a fisheye.

I'm really looking at these two:-

1. 17-40L

Pros - good build, sharp, same filter circ. as 24-105

Cons - only getting 7mm wider for my ?500!

2. Sigma 12-24 EX

Pros - much wider, good build

Cons - rear filter, where do I put my UV/polariser, heard its soft at the edges

What should I go for or is there a lens I've missed?

Any help or advice very gratefully recieved.

Merry Christmas to you all,

Stuart