[paula1]

The auto focus problem certainly isn't filling me with confidence!
I've heard and read such great things about this camera.

Is it all the 5D mk ii's that have this issue or a certain batch?

[Red Cabbage]

I don't think mine has this issue.

[Turn left]

I've had a 5DII for over 2 years and I've never had any problem at all with auto focus. I LOVE my camera. I have 4 lenses, Canon Lens 24-70mm EF f/2.8L USM, Canon Lens 50mm EF f/1.8 II, Canon Lens EF 8-15mm F4 L USM Fisheye, Canon Lens 70-200mm EF f/4L USM. My fav lens is the first one I bought, the 24-70, it's great and works a treat on the 5DII body. I'm non-pro too, it's a great option for non-pros. I'd be looking at a better camera like a 1D if I was a pro.

[paula1]

For those that own one, did you find it overwhelming when you first got it?

Can you recommend any websites/books to make it less complicated?

[Kat5]

I have a 40D, 50D & 2 5DMkii's. I havent noticed AF focusing issues, no more than the cropped sensor cameras. Im not saying it doesnt exist, but I havent noticed it. I use predominately prime lenses...I dont know whether that affects it or not but even with the 24-70 Ive been exceptionally happy with it.

I won a 5DMkii & 24-105mm L from canon last year. Its brand new in box and Im considering selling it so that I can get another lens and some more video equipment. If you're interested, you can pm me .

[mks81]

I think the camera you get depends more on what you do, in this case is it more action or landscapes etc. But I would rather spend my money on my lens collection as well.

But its your money and I think if you can afford it go for it!

[Jenks]

So it's not just my imagination then!!!! I upgraded to the 5Dii about a month ago and I'm having huge dramas with soft focusing and lowlight. I only have prime lenses for it at the moment and I am getting extremelly frustrated with it.

[Cat©]

Yes Jenks, not your imagination, and from what I read so far the MkIII has the same issue also!

I had the issue last night, it really only affects me when its really low light and it simply won't focus so I have to do it manually - which doenst bother me other than my eye sight isnt great! lol

It makes it worse when using the NDX400 filter, its a b**ch to focus then as soon as it starts getting darker.

Also I have found on occasion its own auto focus is not properly fozcused when I take the shot, but usually I take a good 2-3 shots of the same thing anyway, so usually at least 1 of those shots is fine, if not all, it only happens to me once every 100 shots in normal light, but about 1 in 30 in very low light.

So not that common but frustrating if you are shooting in low light as I have been doing recently almost totally!

[mummy26]

Ive not noticed an issue with it either. I went on a night photowalk last night ane took both my 7D and 5D2 and it focused fine for me. One location was a dark rooftop car park. I use the back button AF on the 5D2

[kc84]

I'm a pro who shoots weddings, and I have a 5d mkII & a 7d... They are a great set, as they compliment each other.

Regarding the AF issue, what I have found is that the 5d struggles to latch onto its subject when there is a lack of contrast. One option I have found it slightly move the focus point to somewhere it latches onto - not fantastic when using death of field. I worked this out, when I was shooting a sun flare shot, my 5d wouldn't latch, but the 7d did.

In saying that I love my 5d mkII, its a fantastic camera, does well in low light. One thing I have noticed however is the contrast & colour is slightly better in the 7d (i think mainly because it is a much newer model), but when shooting in RAW doesnt make a difference

I would suggest as an amatuer, to go with the 7d, its a fantastic camera - it is a crop sensor - so larger range of lenses fit on it. EF & EF-S lenses, so a good option if you already have EF-S lenses. I do think the 5d is better, but for an amateur not enough better for the price difference. (although mkII might be cheaper than when i purchased mine, due to the mkIII being released)

Also I would hold off on the mk III until all the bugs have been ironed out, which there are some from the first lot.