topic 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem in EF & RF Lenses

70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

docusync — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 08:47:54 GMT

Folks, need an advice...

My 70-200 isn't focusing consistently @ 200mm (I mostly shoot at this focal length, don't care much about the wide end). Tried several times to AFMA with FoCal - the software returns "poor fit" because the results are so inconsistent. No problems shooting and calibrating a bunch of my other lenses. What should I do?

Thanks!

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:53:14 GMT

Do you have a second body to try lens on?

Lens may need to be sent to Canon for check/repair.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

Waddizzle — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:22:48 GMT

I purchased the same lens early this year, and experienced a handful of nuisance issues, which caused me to return the lens for a new one. One of those issues was consistent focus, and AFMA not having enough range to correct it.

The first lens was a loose fit. You could actually hear a clicking noise. After receiving a new lens, I realized the issue with the first had been a missing rubber ring on the mount for weather sealing.

My second lens didn't seem to focus accurately, or consistently, with the AFMA tests. I have since learned that my initial tests may have been somewhat flawed. I was performing the tests indoor, in a sufficienty large room, because it was winter outside. I typically ran the tests several times on a given lens, and took the average as the final setting.

After retesting outdoors once the weather warmed up, I was able to get very consistent results. Not only that, but my results were well within the adjustment range of the AFMA, where previously I had been pushing the edge of the adjustment range. I was using the Dot-Tune Method.

Doing a little more research into the entire AFMA procedures, I learned that ambient light can play a significant role in achieving consistent focus during the tests. Most types of indoor artificial lighting [mine were your typical commercial office flourescent] can cause the camera/lens to focus inconsistently.

My EOS 6D did not have a light flicker adjustment on it. But, if you perform your tests indoors with the types of lights that flicker at line voltage frequencies, then I suggest that you re-test your lenses with the flicker adjustment active.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

docusync — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:04:09 GMT

@jrhoffman75

I do. It was too late and I forgot to mention it in the original post 🙂 The same lens works very consistently (99%+ fit) on my 1dx2. Also, that's the only lens that's inconsistent of the 5dsr. Paradox... I was wondering if someone else had a similar problem, maybe with a different lens. Should I send both the camera and the lens to Canon?

@Waddizzle

I really like the lens, but on the 5dsr it's just acting funky...

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

kvbarkley — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:08:30 GMT

Call Canon, they might have a software update for the lens for the 5dsr.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

docusync — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 20:17:58 GMT

I checked all Canon product advisories and found nothing on the lens. The camera firmware update is only for the new wifi card. Probably it's a good time to give them a call... 🙂

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

kvbarkley — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 20:21:18 GMT

Not software for the *camera*, software for the *lens* this is more common with third party lenses, but I suppose it could happen to Canon, too.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 20:39:56 GMT

Are you using single point or multipoint focus?

I have read some traffic on the web about focusing difficulties with high megapixel cameras.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

ebiggs1 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 21:20:38 GMT

docusync,

"The same lens works very consistently (99%+ fit) on my 1dx2"... "Should I send both the camera and the lens to Canon?"

I would not ! It may jack the lens up for use on the 1Dx Mk II.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

docusync — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:42:40 GMT

@jrhoffman75

Single point (regular, not the pin-point) per FoCal recommendation. Theoretically 50Mpx resolution is about the same if we take a 20Mpx APS-C sensor and expand it to FF? As far as I understand it's slighlty more demanding to the shutter speed and technique, but the AF is provided by a separate PDAF sensor anyway, so as long as it's accurate and the light distance to PDAF is the same as to the sensor, it shouldn't be much difference in the AF performance?

@ebiggs1

LOL - I hope they won't, and I hope they won't ask to send both cameras and the lens - I'll be left with no cameras 🙂 Emailed to the CPS support, waiting for a response...

Thank you guys for your replies! I'll keep you all updated with Canon's response.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

TCampbell — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 23:22:40 GMT

One of my tests for a lens focus performance (using a commercial focus target) is to put the camera on a tripod, point it at the target, manually run the focus all the way "in" and make the camera focus and shoot... over and over... about a half-dozen times (or more). Then.... do the same thing except run the focus "out" and make the camera focus and shoot.

The idea is to find out if the direction of movement makes a difference. If it does make a difference, the lens may have excessive backlash in the focus gears and likely needs service.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

Mitsubishiman — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 04:06:34 GMT

I have the same camera and lens, not experiencing what you are, lens is a tight fit always auto focuses at 200mm perfectly, for that matter at any length, I will be interested to hear what they say in case mine starts to have issues.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8L II + 5DSR AF consistency problem

docusync — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 19:51:01 GMT

Forgot to post an update. I had to send the lens along with my 5dsr. CPS have repaired the lens. They said it was faulty because I probably unmounted the lens while the camera was on. Not sure if that's the case, since I remember the lens was finicky from the day one. Anyway the repair was cheap and quick, good experience. No doesn't require any AFMA anymore.