topic Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Lanner — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:56:25 GMT

Recently as I’ve been attempting to photograph birds, I have been noticing that my R5 Mark II struggles to correctly focus on the eye of the bird, and sometimes the bird itself. To my knowledge, I have all of the correct settings in use (based upon multiple YouTube videos and google searches), yet still struggle to get good focus. I am using a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens with the EF to RF lens converter with focus ring, so range is certainly not the issue. Even though the bird itself tends to be in focus, the eye is just not consistently in focus and as sharp as other parts of the bird.
I use eye tracking autofocus and whole area autofocus typically with servo. Usually, in the viewfinder, the eye of the bird is in a blue box, but I still feel like the images are not in focus that well. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Lanner — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:21:51 GMT

Forgot to mention, I am not currently on newest firmware and I am updating that soon so will keep you guys posted

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

TomRamsey — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:46:13 GMT

On my R6II is is not always easy to focus on a bird deep in a tree even with a clear shot, the camera will sometimes want to focus on a closer limb. I have found quickly manual focusing to get close and then autofocusing will work. But it doesn't sound as if that is your problem. That eye should be very much in focus. Are you sure it is focus and not camera movement, what kind of shutter speeds are you shooting?

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Lanner — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:49:29 GMT

The shutter speed is like at least 1/800 so I dont think it is that. The birds are also stationary and not too far with zero branches in front of them. The camera will show a blue box around their eye and while I am holding the AF button I click the shutter and yet it is still not in focus.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

TomRamsey — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:58:15 GMT

Sounds like you are using back button focus, and I'm not sure if you can also have the shutter button focus but if so that could cause a problem. I'm guessing you can't do that, but just looking for possible problems. I know a big part of the reason BBF is so effective is because it keeps the shutter button from changing focus.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Waddizzle — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:06:01 GMT

“ I am using a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens with the EF to RF lens converter with focus ring, so range is certainly not the issue. Even though the bird itself tends to be in focus, the eye is just not consistently in focus and as sharp as other parts of the bird.

I use eye tracking autofocus and whole area autofocus typically with servo. “

The lens is the issue. It wasn’t designed for Dual Pixel AF image sensors. A firmware update will not correct all the hardware deficiencies.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Waddizzle — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:08:30 GMT

“ The shutter speed is like at least 1/800 so I dont think it is that. “

Sure it can. I strive to shoot at least 1/1600.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Lanner — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:59:56 GMT

This is very helpful, thank you.
Going off of that point, im now inclined to upgrade lenses.
For wildlife, I dont think 400mm will be sufficient, so im kinda left with minimal options, such as the 100-500mm. I don't know much about the super telephotos that would be best compatible with my camera (and not cost 13k), so do you, or anyone, have any suggestions?

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

TomRamsey — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 07:00:29 GMT

I am extremely happy with my RF 200-800, the lens that drove me to Canon in the first place. I had never imagined that I would be able to afford an 800mm lens that was this good, and also be hand holdable.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Rojoyinc — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 23:19:55 GMT

Amen, while the 800 F11 was awesome too - and light... and cheap... I upgraded to the 200-800 because I like to be able to zoom out if I need to. Both great lenses. I usually use the 200-800 with the 1.4 x
Both examples are this lens with 1.4x and hand held.

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

SignifDigits — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 04:44:58 GMT

Another vote for the 200-800. Some amazing eagle shots there Royjoyinc. Recently took just the 200-800 on a vacation to Florida to get better with it and the camera. It was fun and a good education. One of my big lessons learned was to get more comfortable with higher ISOs to get to faster shutter speeds. Caught some good bird photos, but haven't downsized them under the 9MB limit yet. The lens does a great job when I do my part!

Re: R5 Mark II is not properly focusing on birds eye

Lanner — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 04:51:16 GMT

Funny enough, I did end up buying the 200-800 a bunch of months ago! It has been a really great step up!