topic Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8 in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:38:56 GMT

I updated the my Canon R3 to 1.8 firmware because I had an issue with my camera freezing during a football game. What a mistake that was. Now my camera won’t lock on focus. I have all of my settings set to where I had it before. Now when I try to lock on a player it’s floating all over the place. Before I was locking a player, then eye detection would take over for nearly two years. Worked flawlessly. Now my camera is a POS. I know a few other photographers having similar issues with the update. I have did a factory reset and reinstalled the update same issues. Last night during the football game I disabled everything and shot the old fashioned way. Now going to try and downgrade my update. So frustrated.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

NatalyaP — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 22:36:33 GMT

Greetings czbrat3962,

I'm sorry to hear that the autofocus system is not working as well as it used to on your EOS R3 camera. We recommend on checking to see if this issue occurs with multiple lenses and in different type of shooting environments.

In case the camera continues to experience this issue, then we would suggest on sending the EOS R3 camera to our facility.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. has created a new online repair portal that allows you to set up service in a few simple steps. The repair portal gives you the ability to set up service for multiple pieces of equipment at once, and to receive a repair estimate in the majority of cases, depending on your model and issue. The portal also allows you to upload images or videos that will assist us in repairing your product. You can also select how you wish to be notified of the progress of your repair. The portal's service history section allows you to view all services that have been performed on any of your camera or video products since January 7, 2020.

Please follow the link below to access our online repair portal to arrange for service:

https://mycanon.usa.canon.com/signin

Instructions for Accessing and Using the Online Repair Portal.

You will need to access or create your My Canon Account.

If you already have a My Canon Account and your product is already registered, simply click on the “Get Repair Services” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

If you have a My Canon Account and your product is not registered, you must register your product first. Click on the “Get Repair Services” link on the left menu, then click on the “Register Product” link on the right. After your product is registered, click on the “Get Repair Service” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

If you do not have a My Canon Account, you will need to create one. After you create your account, click on the “Add Product” link to register your first product. After your product is registered, click on the “Get Repair Service” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

Once you have completed the repair request, you will have an opportunity to print a copy of the request for your records. This request form will also contain shipping instructions and an address label that you will attach to the outside of your shipping box when mailing your equipment for repair.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 22:54:09 GMT

Yes I used multiple lenses as I thought that was my first thought. I tested the 400f 2.8 , 300f2.8, and 70-200f2.8. Had more issues with the 400 and 300 at a distance. I shot basketball last night. While the camera performed better. It wasn’t 100%. Like before.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Evgeny1973 — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 10:49:01 GMT

Greetings,

What firmware did you have before update to 1.8?

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:59:54 GMT

1.71

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

shadowsports — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 18:25:59 GMT

Greetings,

Just some general observations. Unrelated to the problem(s) you are facing, I'd like to mention that updating firmware is NEVER the correct action or indicated to resolve unexpected or undesired behavior. Firmware is applicable (indicated) to add features, add support for lenses or accessories and to enhance functionality. In some cases security issues might also be addressed. Unless specifically stated, updating firmware does not fix "freezing". Reapplying firmware is another action that doesn't do anything. Either is loads and updates or it doesn't. If its not successful, the camera should be sent to Canon for inspection and repair.

You took correct troubleshooting steps. Removing accessories, testing with different lenses, resetting the camera, etc. I might try different storage media and batteries as well. If unsuccessful, the camera should go to Canon for inspection, as recommended by NatalyaP. If its possible to consistently reproduce the behavior, this is helpful for support and should be provided in the problem description.

"Freezing" is not something that was addressed in v1.8.0

1. Adds [Protect Images] and [Rating] during FTP Transfer.
2. Adds the ability to select [Wired] as a connection option when [Airplane mode] is set to [On].
3. The following issues have been fixed:
a. Fixes an issue, in which when Wi-Fi is disconnected, Err70 occurs.
b. Fixes an issue, in which when shooting subjects that are smaller in the frame, the card access indicator blinks and operations can no longer be performed.
c. Fixes an issue, in which while operating both the touch function on the LCD monitor and a customized button, and then performing shooting, operations can no longer be performed.
d. Fixes an issue, in which when performing shooting in high-speed continuous shooting + mode with the [Highlight Tone Priority] option set to [ON], focus may not be achieved when certain ISO speed settings are used.

If you have concerns about the way your camera is focusing / performing, again I would send the body and lens to canon for inspection.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Evgeny1973 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:48:51 GMT

I have the same problem with 1.8.

Before, focus was more reliable.

AF point shows the eye, but jumping backwards and forwards.

The message is clear: save money to R1:)

But thanks Canon, they didn't delete previous 1.7.1 from site, for the people who don't want R1 🙂

So, I downgraded back to previous firmware.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:09:21 GMT

How do you downgrade to previous firmware. I tried to do it on a video I found on YouTube. But it didn’t work. It wouldn’t recognize the older version.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Evgeny1973 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:28:56 GMT

I used this method.

https://petapixel.com/how-to-downgrade-canon-camera-firmware/

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:44:28 GMT

This is what I used. I could not get the 1.71 to come up after closing door.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Stephen — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:48:40 GMT

This is excellent advice, Rick!

You just forgot one step: Before sending it to our Factory Service Center, I recommend calling tech support. If your gear is acting weird, give our folks a call. They can troubleshoot with you to help narrow down whether it's a hardware issue that needs to be sent for repair, a rogue setting, or something else altogether. Support is at 800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).

I once had a customer call to send his Rebel in for service because his flash wasn't working—it wouldn't pop up. The camera was "acting like it didn't see it." Our troubleshooting revealed that he was using a hot shoe cover, and the camera thought he had a non-TTL external flash attached. His camera was working fine without that hot shoe cover!

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:57:39 GMT

I’ve been conversing with the Factory Service Center via email.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Stephen — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:00:51 GMT

Do you mean you've been speaking with tech support by email?

You would only be speaking with the Factory Service Center by email if your camera was at the Factory Service Center.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:46:54 GMT

I’ve been talking to Canon CPS service and support.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Stephen — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:51:18 GMT

Ah, that makes sense, then!

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Evgeny1973 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 15:09:29 GMT

I did exactly like described.

Prepared 2 SD cards.

1st with firmware 1.8

2nd with firmware 1.7.1

Insert 1st one. Go to firmware update menu. Press update

It will show firmware 1.8

Press ok, and immediately open memory slot.

Remove 1st, insert 2nd card.

Close memory slot and in a minute you can see on screen two boxes with choice 1.8 or 1.7.1

Choose 1.7.1. That's it.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

shadowsports — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 15:31:07 GMT

Stephen,

Thanks for this helpful information. Contacting Canon first is always the right thing to do!!

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

czbrat3962 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:17:56 GMT

Thank you. What I was doing was putting the card in the other slot. And not the same slot. I was able to download the old software. I’m heading off to a basketball game shortly. Hopefully it resolves my issue.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

Evgeny1973 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 18:47:19 GMT

I was glad to help.

Enjoy to basketball.

If the freezing will appear often, visit Canon servis.

Re: EOS R3 autofocus issues after upgrade to firmware 1.8

AlexCPSmember — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 07:30:02 GMT

Hello! I want to share my observations on Canon EOS R3 and firmware 1.8.0.

One of my R3s was purchased in August 2024. The camera is new. And I had certain problems with focus, which was expressed in the fact that on both RF and EF lenses, autofocus showed that it was focusing where I pointed the focus point, but in fact it was visible on the photograph that it was focused elsewhere. A check at Canon CPS showed that everything is fine with the technique. However, the trick of the trick continued. It was only when I installed firmware 1.8.0 that the focus returned to me again! It was an impressive difference and now the camera is working properly.

Considering that someone, on the contrary, started having problems with focus when updating to firmware 1.8.0, is there perhaps a difference in camera revisions? In general, the problems are related to software and firmware. I am glad that I no longer have them and do not plan to update to new firmware yet, because it is important to me that the equipment is reliable, like my 1dx, 1dxII, 1dxIII.

I photograph world motorsport in Europe, so I know the technique and instructions well enough, and this is not a user error. Sorry if there are any mistakes, I use a translator to help.

P.S. And I have never encountered freezing on my R3 camera.