topic Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8 in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 18:32:31 GMT

I had this problem after my purchase of the new R5 about 18 or so months ago. I was given a procedure to check what version of s/w was installed, and was told there was an update. (I recall being puzzled why the newest version wasn't installed before being shipped to me.) Anyway, I am having the same problem now. Why has the problem returned, and how do I get the fast, accurate focusing response back between my R5 and "legacy" 70-200?

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

deebatman316 — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 18:50:59 GMT

Can you please provide the Full model name of the lens in question.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:29:29 GMT

Canon 70-200 f2.8

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

deebatman316 — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:41:52 GMT

That's not the full name there are 3 IS models and 1 non-IS model in the EF Mount.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Tronhard — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:52:54 GMT

To be as precise as possible, since there are multiple versions of that description, does it have a Mk? value on the lens please?
There are versions with IS and Mk versions, so there it could be one of the following:
EF 70-200 f/2.8 USM Released 1995
EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM Released 2001
EF 70-200 f/2.8 USM MkII Released 2010
EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM MkII Released 2018
EF 70-200 f/2.8 USM MkIII Released 2018
EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM MKIII
Thus the ID can be significant

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

deebatman316 — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 03:02:02 GMT

I don't believe non-IS Mark II and III version were released. Only IS version were released in a Mark II and III versions.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Tronhard — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 03:15:40 GMT

Either way, we need to know the mark number if it has one, because that tells us the date of design so we need every spec on the lens. If it is exactly as the OP indicates that is the oldest version - I don't really expect it to be the later marks from the description. The point is, older versions have slower USM motors and they may not play well with the faster focusing capabilities of the R5 MILC - do you see what I mean?

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

deebatman316 — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 03:21:58 GMT

That's true I found older consumer grade can't keep up on mirrorless cameras. The motors are just too slow. Especially old AF motors that have been long retired. Such as Arc Form Drive, Micro Motor & Micro Motor USM.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Tronhard — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 04:55:47 GMT

While this is certainly not a consumer-grade lens, if it is an original EF 70-200 USM, then it is very old, almost 30 years. The motor will be likely less efficient, and certainly have aged in terms of wear and tear. I have seen other folks with issues on lenses of that vintage: like us all, they age... 🙄 The R-series bodies have super fast focus and put a lot demand on both the lens focusing system and the battery level of the camera to drive that motor.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Waddizzle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 11:53:36 GMT

@johndd wrote:

I had this problem after my purchase of the new R5 about 18 or so months ago. I was given a procedure to check what version of s/w was installed, and was told there was an update. (I recall being puzzled why the newest version wasn't installed before being shipped to me.) Anyway, I am having the same problem now. Why has the problem returned, and how do I get the fast, accurate focusing response back between my R5 and "legacy" 70-200?

Could you better describe your issue? The description “dependable focus” is fairly subjective and wide open to interpretation.

What are you trying to photograph?
What are the shooting conditions?
What shooting mode are you using?
What are your exposure settings?
etc

Tells us how to reproduce your issue. If possible, please post a sample photo of the issue.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Waddizzle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 11:59:05 GMT

BTW, your new camera not having the latest firmware out of the box is not a major issue. It most likely means your camera was manufactured and shipped from the factory prior to the firmware update being released.

Retailers are not going to open boxes and update their stock on a given camera model just because a firmware update was released. Neither will they open your new camera box and update the firmware before they ship it to you or hand it to you in a brick and mortar store.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:06:02 GMT

All,

This lens was purchased around 2004. It's 1:2.8 L IS USM.

The focusing problem was, and is again, that it sometimes locks onto my subject, and provides sharp focus, and sometimes it locks on, but focus is soft. I have to manually adjust focusing ring.

Nothing to do with my focusing point not having enough contrast. My use of shutter correctly to get focused. It's a problem I had initially after R5 purchase, that was fixed when I was told to load new...firmware. I used camera/lens for 3 months in New Zealand, 2 months in western Europe, then took a couple months break. Now I went to SA and Antarctica, the problem resurfaced and I was manually focusing when it didn't perform on its own.

Is there any update I need for my R5?

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

Waddizzle — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 21:49:59 GMT

Could you better describe your issue? The description “dependable focus” is fairly subjective and wide open to interpretation.

What are you trying to photograph?
What are the shooting conditions?
What shooting mode are you using?
What are your exposure settings?
etc

Tells us how to reproduce your issue. If possible, please post a sample photo of the issue.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:41:27 GMT

I bought my camera directly from Canon, not a retailer.

Dependable focus is getting a razor-sharp focus on my subject ( I use spot focus) 99.9% of the time and that .1% is my error.

What are you trying to photograph? Varied subjects - mostly stationary (landscapes), some wildlife.
What are the shooting conditions? Varied - from full sun to overcast skies.
What shooting mode are you using? Manual. Always manual.
What are your exposure settings? Varied, but generally iso 100-800, 1/30 to 1/1000, f2.8 to f18.

I have upgraded my firmware from 1.8 to 2.0. I will do some shooting testing to see if that alters what I am experiencing.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 13:54:12 GMT

Upgraded to most current firmware. Problem persists. I auto focus, it is sharp. Move to another subject, refocus, it refocuses and is sharp. I move to another subject, it refocuses and is sharp. Move to another subject, it doesn't refocus. I have to manually refocus. No matter what subject I move to, it doesn't refocus.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

shadowsports — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:47:05 GMT

Greetings,

Are you using a Canon branded EF to EOS R adapter with your circa 20 yr old lens?

The mk I is now too old to send to Canon for inspection or service.

Does this happen with other lenses? This is sounding like an issue with the older lens. Age or wear possibly.

Re: R5 Won't Allow Dependable Focus with Older Model 70-200 f2.8

johndd — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 17:12:38 GMT

Rick,

Yes, I bought the adapter at the same time I bought the R5. R5 came straight from Canon, Canon adapter bought at local camera store in Orlando. I brought my lenses (Canon f2.8 70-200 IS, Tamron 15-30, Tamron 28-75) into the camera store BEFORE buying R5 to test, even though I received guarantees from Canon and camera store staff, that with the adapter, my lenses would work as efficiently as they did with my 5D MIII. Worked well with the in-store R5. Had focusing problem only with 70-200 when I received R5 from Canon. They had me upgrade firmware, problem was solved. Now, it's back.

If factual, I find it a crock when Canon, or any company, decides to not service their products when it suits them.

John - Central Florida