topic Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

stevec331 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:57:47 GMT

After updating to firmware 1.0.3 I noticed I was missing shots where I knew the focus spot was correct. This seemed to happen more times then in the past. Then I came across this Youtube video in which he noticed the same thing.

Unfortunately one can't re-install 1.0.2 so have others seen this issue?

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

krischj — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:54:06 GMT

Jeps, spot-on - my keeper rate is way down, - needs a very quick fix, or my cameras have to go in for repair (downgrade), no way I can live autofocus this bad.... This is not the first time Canon have ruin a camera with firmware, - I was stupid upgrading to soon, always wait 2-3 months.I own several r5 and r6, and right my R5's are not working for wildlife... Arrgghhh,,,,,

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

NatalyaP — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 21:07:00 GMT

Greetings stevec331,

I am sorry to hear that your EOS R5 Mark II camera is having autofocus issues. Please check to ensure that the contacts on the lens are clean from debris and you may use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the contacts. Please test the camera with different lenses. This would help to determine if the issue is isolate to only one specific lens that you are using or if the issue occurs with multiple lenses.

Please also check to see if this occurs throughout the different AF Areas that the camera has available. This menu option can be found on the first page of the AF tab in the camera's menu. Please check to see if the auto focus issue occurs in different lighting environments, like daytime outdoor shooting compared to indoor shooting.

In case the issue persists, then you may send the camera to our facility for repair. 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 R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

krischj — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 08:11:05 GMT

Thx for your interest...

This is related to the 1.0.3 firmware, and nothing else. 600mm/4, 100-500mm5.6-8, 200-800/6.3-9 all samme issue, keeper-rate for wildlife tracking is way down and autofocus is as snappy as with 1.0.2. Same Lenses on a R5mkll body w/1.0.2 and all is back to being good. Something might have been fixed in version 1.0.3, but to me (and others) it introduced an issue, so we either need new FW that brings back the snappy autofocus/tracking, or a downgrade to 1.0.2. (Canon could packed 1.0.2 as a 1.0.4 for downgrade, making it possible to downgrade at home avoiding send bodies in for downgrade, or give us an estimate for a fixed v. 1.0.4)

//kristian

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

andyfolkers — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 03:49:55 GMT

I agree we just need a fix.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

KFSC307 — Sat, 03 May 2025 03:25:29 GMT

So let me get this right. Those of us who have updated our firmware to 1.0.3 suddenly have debris in our contacts, and the R5 Mark IIs will need to have a hardware repair because of poor focusing brought on by the firmware? I am lost on that logic.

Could it be that someone needs to let us revert our firmware to 1.0.2? I too, have the issue with the 1.0.3 firmware and poor autofocus. I picked up a new 100-500 lens and packed it back up after the number of awful mis-focused shots seemed unreal.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

shadowsports — Sat, 03 May 2025 13:19:38 GMT

Greetings,

This appears to have been reported on multiple sites now. I'm sure it's something Canon is looking in to. If testing reveals an issue, I'm sure a fix will be released. Anyone experiencing an issue should report their concern to Canon Support. This ensures visibility. The waiting part can be hard but if there's a problem it will get fixed.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

tangogal — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:25:22 GMT

Has this issue with the firmware been fixed yet? I was thinking of buying the Mk 2 as I already have the original R5 and love it but won't purchase yet if it comes with the bad firmware 1.0.3.

Another question: are the batteries and charger for the original R5 compatible with the new MK2? If I use an R5 battery in the MK2 would it affect the autofocus or the speed of capturing images to the card if I kept the shutter depressed to capture action? I heard it affects video in 4K and 8K but that does not concern me as I could use the new batteries for that.

Thank you.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

krischj — Sat, 03 May 2025 17:09:06 GMT

Maybe you can check at the shop before you buy.... but I would avoid 1.0.3, with That fw the Camera is not worth the money, if you are using it for any kind of fast action. Stay away.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

tangogal — Sat, 03 May 2025 17:23:02 GMT

Thank you. I will check the firmware before purchase.

Has anyone tried using the original R5 batteries in the Mk2? Does it slow down focusing? Capture of action sequences such as birds in flight?

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

dcisive — Mon, 05 May 2025 23:38:12 GMT

I hate to tell you but this so called issue with firmware 1.0.3 is NOT universal. I just got a new R5MkII and the first thing I did was update to ver. 1.0.3 before doing anything. I have a 24-105 f4L and 100-500L and BOTH work flawlessly. The 100-500L has rendered some amazing birding shots I've never gotten before. My 100-500L locks on in the blink of an eye for fast moving birds or taking off, and never loses them. This is for 2 weeks running now without fail. I'm finding the focus system on this camera to exceed a Z9 and A1MkII I've used which is nothing to sneeze at. NO lockups, NO loss of focus tracking or acquisition. Simply stunning. I'm typically shooting at 12fps electronic shutter exclusively. I have my shutter set to actuate metering AND taking the shot. I have my AF-On on the back set to Eye Detection on/off and the Star set to locked focus point just in case. I'm not using what might be considered the more exotic back button setups. So perhaps I'm bypassing the issues. One things for sure, it nails what I aim and and never lets go branches, lake or not.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

krischj — Tue, 06 May 2025 17:08:08 GMT

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the difference between 1.0.2 and 1.0.3 if you never tried pre 1-0.3 firmware. No-one said auto-focus didn’t work w/1.0.3, but the keeper rate for tracking fast moving objects e.x. birds in flights, are way down.

Chris

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

dcisive — Tue, 06 May 2025 18:10:07 GMT

Over this last year I got particularly into birding. I had a Z9 with a 100-400Z lens, then a Sony A6700 with a 200-600G lens. The results with tracking fast moving birds was increased using the A6700, but still by no means perfect. The first outing I had with the R5MkII having loaded 1.0.3 as soon as the battery was charged and going out shooting fast moving gulls, pelicans and blackbirds, it shocked me how it would immediately lock onto the head rendering a blue box on the eye of the birds and never let go. It was also the first camera I'd used that allowed me to get shots of herons that were in their nests in back of branches. The other cameras struggled, but the R5MkII surgically nailed the eye of birds hiding in branches I didn't even see in some cases. I am more convinced that certain settings and certain lenses might cause some tracking issues. But NOT in my case that's for SURE! This thing is a find and lock on beast. I never experienced this virtual AI capability of any camera to date. I hope just for the heck of it Canon brings another 1.0.4 update to keep the others happy. Right now I'm perfectly happy and couldn't ask for more.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

JFG — Wed, 07 May 2025 00:25:18 GMT

Hi stevec331,

I agree with dcisive: "I hate to tell you but this so-called issue with firmware 1.0.3 is NOT universal. I just got a new R5MkII and the first thing I did was update to ver. 1.0.3 before doing anything. I have a 24-105 f4L and 100-500L and BOTH work flawlessly. The 100-500L has rendered some amazing birding shots I've never gotten before."

I was one of the first to receive my R5 Mark II, as I purchased it on 7-18-2024. It came with firmware 1.0.1 and it worked as publicized, awesome! Then the firmware was updated to 1.0.2 and my R5 continued to perform spectacularly. When the new 1.0.3 firmware came out, I uploaded it without any problems and took my R5 Mark II out for a spin, and it worked just as awesome as before if not better then when it had firmware 1.0.2. I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your R5 Mark II not focusing as fast as it did with firmware 1.0.2. I suggest that you go over your AF settings and make sure nothing has changed, as sometimes setting get changed inadvertently, I know because it has happened to me. Also make sure that your RF lens AF settings are set accordingly. I'm happy to say that my R5 Mark II is working just as great as before if not better, it's an AWESOME camera. One other thing, if there is a glitch with the firmware 1.0.3 that you downloaded, then I would wait for Canon to update the firmware to 1.0.4 and all issues will be cleared. Another thing that I would try is going to the Canon website and re-downloading firmware 1.0.3 and see if that will clear it.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

dcisive — Wed, 07 May 2025 02:05:10 GMT

I doubt one could RE load an already existing current version of firmware. Once it's done I suspect it's done with no alternatives. New or old.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

JFG — Wed, 07 May 2025 03:09:18 GMT

dcisive,

Yes you can re-install firmware 1.0.3 on your R5 Mark II camera. If you are experiencing issues and want to reinstall the 1.0.3 firmware , you need to follow Canon's official update process. I recommend fully re-formatting your SD card. Some users have found that fully formatting the SD card on a computer (rather than in the camera) can resolve issues. You can check Canon's Official support page for firmware downloads and troubleshooting steps. I have re-installed firmware on my Canon cameras before, so you can do it. I download the firmware to my laptop than from my laptop to the SD card using a SanDisk Extreme Pro SD UHS-II USB-C Reader/Writer since my Surface Pro doesn't have an SD card slot. Also don't touch any part of the camera while the 1.0.3 firmware is downloading.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

dcisive — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:21:12 GMT

Thanks for posting that. Good info as a just in case scenario. I suppose it's possible for an initital load of firmware to get corrupted.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

JFG — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:37:41 GMT

dcisive,

Your welcome

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

drdan_1 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 16:39:04 GMT

I used my R5II on an extended birding trip to Mexico and was blown away with how improved the AF was compared to my R5. But, that was on 1.0.2. When I "upgraded" to 1.0.3 I immediately noticed AF issues. I took everything back to default and manually reset all my settings.. This seemed to help for a short time but then bad again. My keeper rate was dismal compared to before.. When I did get a reasonable focus it seemed accidental. I saw a post to turn off all power saving. I turned off everything in that menu AND turned off my cooling fan on my grip. My AF seemed to return to normal! I'll do more testing over time but that seems to be the solution until 1.0.4

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Firmware 1.0.3 focus issues

drdan_1 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 19:12:35 GMT

The R5II requires higher power output so R5 batteries will cause some features to be disabled. In addition, the problems people have with 1.0.3 may be related to power. There are indications that for some cameras 1.0.3 causes there not to be enough power throughput to power AF adequately. Obviously using batteries without as high a power output could exacerbate the problem.