5D low light help

[Gaz81]

Hi,

I'm after a bit of advice about using my 5D (mk1) with the Canon 50mm f1.4 in low light.

In normal light the focusing is fine, but it more challenging light its a bit of a pain! This is the sort of shot i mean:

Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 3200

Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 3200


Low light, disco, wedding stuff etc. I always try and focus on the most contrasty part but it's still very hit and miss.

Am I just pushing the focus system of the 5D beyond what it is capable of?

Is this 1D territory?

I'd like a avoid flash where possible as I think it takes some of the atmosphere away.

 

[Gaz81]

Forgot to add, I tried manual exposure as well.

 

[RobertP]

I recall my 50mm 1.4 focussing pretty well in very low light on the 5D. I always used centre point only for focus which may have helped.

Just wondering if you could use the red AF assist pattern from a flash gun to get focus. Maybe set the gun on manual and lowest power to get minimal flash effect or cover the head with foil or something to block any light?

 

[Gaz81]

Didn't think of using my flash for the auto focus assist.

It would focus eventually it was just awkward.

I usually only really use the centre point focus, never really liked the way it would pick it's own focus point.

I suppose it could be poor technique on my part, it's all a learning curve!

 

[Duncan.F]

Hi,
I do a lot of low light shots and in portrait mode I use the top AF point and focus on the face. Also use spot focus rather than evaluative!

Cheers,

Dunc

 

[Gaz81]

Looks like it makes a big differnce if the subject it lit better, finding the good spot is hard work next to a dance floor with light directed on the subject.

 

[philipfirth1983]

Have you considered using manual focus in low light conditions? My old 350 used a flash burst to focus in low light which was really annoying. I switched to manual focus in low light with no problems.