R Series Mirrorless and Flash Photography (AF ASSIST BEAM)

[declan565]

Im a professional Photographer, I shoot nightclubs and bar-type environments.
I want to upgrade to the canon Mirrorless Cameras but when looking at R3's and R6Mkii I learned that they do not work well with Canon Flashes. 600ex rt ii etc. I found out that the flashes do not fire the red AF Assist Beam (the red light from the front of the flash) To help with focusing.

I shoot in very dark environments and need the Autofocus to be on point and quick in pitch black. Never been an issue with my 5dmk iii or 1dxm ii.

But why do the new cameras not support such a basic feature? Is there plans to address this? I would very much like to upgrade all new cameras and lenses soon but I need my mirrorless and flash system to work. Seems like photographers who need this feature have been forgotten about.

[deebatman316]

The camera doesn't see the "IR" AF Assist Beam. If you use a Canon speedlite the speedlite should use "Intermittent Flashes"/ pre-fires for AF Assist. Even if the speedlite has a choice between IR and "Intermittent Flashes"/ Pre-fires. All of Canon's speedlites support "Intermittent Flashes"/ pre-fires on the R series bodies. The manual for all of the R series bodies says that the speedlite will fire an Intermittent AF Assist Beam. Meaning "Intermittent Flashes". But this is dependent on ambient lighting. The camera body chooses if the speedlite or the body lamp fires for AF Assist.

Note highlighted area applies to all of Canon's EX or EL speedlites. Some speedlites don't have a Personal/ Custom for AF Assist Beam Projection/ Emission Method. This is from the Speedlite EL-1 manual but the highlighted area applies to all EX or EL speedlites.

 

-Demetrius

Current Gear: 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 430EX III-RT, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D, Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM & EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

[MikeSowsun]

It’s not just Canon. All Mirrorless camera systems have a problem with IR focus assist and there is no way it can be used going forward.

It is because they use the image sensor for focussing, and as with all digital cameras, they must use an IR filter on the image sensor. SLR cameras, both film and digital, do not have this handicap. The phase detection AF sensor can see IR light focus assist emitted by the flash. 

Since Mirrorless cameras can’t use the IR focus assist, it is automatically disabled on ALL Mirrorless cameras. Various manufacturers are using different methods to deal with this handicap. Canon has added annoying AF assist lights to their Mirrorless bodies, and they can also use the flash to emit even more annoying pulses of light (intermittent flash firing). Some flash units will have an LED assist light. When it comes to Nightclub photograph, all are poor substitutes for the good old IR focus assist. 

[deebatman316]

Apparently the "IR" AF Assist Beam isn't actually IR. It's visible red light. Most mirrorless cameras cannot detect red light very well. This is what Canon support said. But Intermittent Flashes from the speedlite should still work depending on ambient lighting.

@MikeSowsun there are 3rd party manufacturers that make AF Assist Lights/ Beams that are red. They ARE compatible with mirrorless cameras. But when it comes to the R series the camera body chooses if an LED equipped speedlite such as the 320EX will fire its beam. Or if the body lamp will fire for AF Assist. So you can't force an LED equipped speedlite to fire its beam every time for AF Assist. The camera menu also must be set to LED AF Assist Only. Or else the 320EX will fire an Intermittent AF Assist Beam. Just like the 320EX would do on a DSLR camera.

You also cannot force a speedlite with an old IR AF Assist to fire an Intermittent AF Assist Beam. Every time the camera decides AF Assist is needed. The camera body decides if there is too little light or contrast before the speedlite fires an Intermittent AF Assist Beam. 

-Demetrius

Current Gear: 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 430EX III-RT, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D, Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM & EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM