topic Re: R6 m2 sharpness in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

CarterS66 — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:17:59 GMT

I’ve had an R6 mark 2 for close to a month now and I struggle with image quality. I only have EF prime lenses and kit lenses, none of which cost more than $500. I use Lightroom to edit but I feel like my pictures lack sharpness and look like they were taken with a cheap camera. Does anyone have any tips to improve my photo quality? Obviously I could use better lenses but I’m only 16 and don’t have the budget for premium L lenses.

Re: R6 m2 sharpness

MotoArts — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 03:10:55 GMT

CarterS66, check out my post regarding my Rebel SL1. I've struggled with it for years but admittedly haven't dedicated any time to diagnose it until now 😊

Re: R6 m2 sharpness

Tronhard — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 06:36:13 GMT

Hi Carter and welcome to the forum:

There are several reasons that might cause a lack of sharpness. For us to narrow down the possibilities it would help to know several things:

What lenses are you using with the R6II?
Are you using a Canon brand EF-RF adapter?
Can you post some samples of images that are causing you concern - being able to share links to original files would be helpful. If not, then JPGs with details of the shot from your EXIF data: lens, focal length, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
Are you shooting in RAW, JPG or both?

What sort of subjects are you shooting?
How do you hold your camera - with the camera to your eye, or holding it like a cellphone?

If you can please provide as much detail as possible for these questions, we can provide more specific help for you.

Re: R6 m2 sharpness

CarterS66 — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:15:50 GMT

Hey trevor, sorry I didnt clarify much earlier, I most commonly use a sigma 30mm f/1.4 or a canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 (I know that lens may be my issue) with a canon brand ef-rf control ring adapter, I also usually shoot through the viewfinder unless i’m doing low angle or high angle shots. When it comes to subjects I’m shooting, I usually take pictures of landscapes or animals. I’ll attach some photos.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

johnrmoyer — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:45:38 GMT

I hope some of this might be helpful.

Blur can result from focus, camera movement, subject movement, small aperture diffraction, and if made of a distant scene then atmospheric distortion.

I do not use lightroom, but the Canon DPP software Digital Lens Optimizer will sometimes remove most diffraction blur. Unsharp mask with the fineness or radius setting at the size of the blur will often make an image appear sharper. It is also worth looking at using curves to adjust the image: https://cam.start.canon/en/S002/manual/html/UG-04_EditImage_0040.html

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/sharpness.htm Understanding sharpness

How unsharp mask works: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm

diffraction blur: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm

depth of field: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm

noise: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/image-noise.htm

Large ISO numbers together with noise reduction will sometimes reduce detail making the image look less sharp.

Fast shutter speed will reduce motion blur.

Larger F number will result in more of the scene being in focus with the tradeoffs being diffraction blur and possibly more noise or possibly need for slower shutter.

Changes in auto focus settings in the camera will result in different portions of the image being blurred.

Re: R6 m2 sharpness

johnrmoyer — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:08:57 GMT

This photo does not have much blur. I see a halo from unsharp mask. I might reduce both the radius and amount for unsharp mask and maybe also increase the threshold, but that is a matter of preference.

Did you import a raw file or a JPEG into lightroom? If a JPEG, then one should likely not do unsharp mask both in camera and in lightroom. A second unsharp mask might be useful after resizing an image or before printing. If importing a raw file into lightroom, then use the radius, detail and masking sliders for sharpening in lightroom. https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/how-to/sharpen-photos.html

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

ILLUSTRATIVEMAN — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:44:02 GMT

Another thing to consider is how hot the ground and the air is, as well as how humid it is.
Moving air caused by rising heat will distort your image, blurring it. Humid air will cause your photo to blur, depending on how far away from the subject you are.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

jimweatherford1 — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:55:16 GMT

Considered that but the photos in question were taken in NJ in Feb and it was cold. Was also pointing up at least 75 degrees from the horizon so it wouldn't have been ground radiation. Thanks for the response, though.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

ctitanic — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:34:06 GMT

I use Topaz Sharpen. It works well.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

Rundgy — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:31:37 GMT

I'm having the same issue with my R6 Mark II. Not getting anywhere near the results compared to my Canon 5 Mark III. I'm very disappointed in the camera. The responses to your question make you sound like you've never picked up a camera. Sad to say I believe Canon grossly missed the mark with this camera. I am not using RF lenses, I'm using EF with an adaptor, is that the issue? Maybe. I was sold on this camera based on the fact that you could use EF lenses with no difference in results. I do not have $2,500 for an RF lens with no guarantee that it will fix the problem.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

Waddizzle — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:22:01 GMT

“ I'm having the same issue with my R6 Mark II. Not getting anywhere near the results compared to my Canon 5 Mark III. “

If the solution identified in this thread doesn’t resolve YOUR issue, then you may have a different issue and should start a new thread.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

CarterS66 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:26:35 GMT

After using this camera for the past 2 years, I learned that the issue was the lenses. I was using lenses meant for EF-S mounts, or just cheap glass in general (like the 75-300). After getting an RF 70-200 f/2.8 and 24-70 f/2.8, all those issues went away.

Unfortunately, I think it’s just the type of lens you use that matters.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

Rundgy — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:06:16 GMT

MY issue is the same as the person that started the thread and it appears none of the solutions suggested solved that person's issue.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

jimweatherford1 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 01:11:36 GMT

You might be right. Not too happy given that I was assured by all reviews and the fine folks at B&H that EF lenses would work. I got the official Canon adapter and I’m using Canon L lenses. Not eager to spend another $7,000 on RF lenses. Not sure I trust the results I’ll get. I guess I’ll go back to the 5D when sharpness is critical.

Re: EOS R6 Mark II Images Lack Sharpness

johnrmoyer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 02:54:13 GMT

@jimweatherford1 wrote:

You might be right. Not too happy given that I was assured by all reviews and the fine folks at B&H that EF lenses would work. I got the official Canon adapter and I’m using Canon L lenses. Not eager to spend another $7,000 on RF lenses. Not sure I trust the results I’ll get. I guess I’ll go back to the 5D when sharpness is critical.

All of my EF and EF-S lenses work better on my EOS R5 than on my EOS 80D