topic Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

kelly217 — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:12:25 GMT

I just purchased this camera body last week. I am new to mirrorless cameras and have not had time to read through the manual yet. When testing out several lenses that I also purchased, the two smaller lenses (16mm F1.8 and 50mm 1.8) both worked fine. I know that the viewfinder doesn't work if the screen is open so I mostly shot with the screen. But when I tried the two larger lenses (85mm and 70-200mm) the viewfinder was not working properly, to say the least. When I tried the 85mm, the view in the finder was very distorted and unclear. The indicator markings within the viewfinder were spreading strangely and the image itself was very blurry and stretched out. With the 70-200mm lens, I couldn't even get it to work, the viewfinder was black, the screen was black, and a red light was lit up on the back of the camera.

What am I doing wrong or does the camera sound defective? I'm not convinced a mirrorless camera is right for me if these issues are regular occurrences.

Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

kvbarkley — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:30:06 GMT

This sounds decidedly odd. Can you send a picture of what you see?

Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:16:31 GMT

I know that the viewfinder doesn't work if the screen is open so I mostly shot with the screen.

That's not correct, depends on the settings you make here:

the view in the finder was very distorted and unclear.

Have you set the diopter correction for your eyes?

Your other descriptions sounds like a real problem, maybe something has shifted inside the camera?

Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:56:32 GMT

@kelly217 wrote:

I just purchased this camera body last week. I am new to mirrorless cameras and have not had time to read through the manual yet. When testing out several lenses that I also purchased, the two smaller lenses (16mm F1.8 and 50mm 1.8) both worked fine. I know that the viewfinder doesn't work if the screen is open so I mostly shot with the screen. But when I tried the two larger lenses (85mm and 70-200mm) the viewfinder was not working properly, to say the least. When I tried the 85mm, the view in the finder was very distorted and unclear. The indicator markings within the viewfinder were spreading strangely and the image itself was very blurry and stretched out. With the 70-200mm lens, I couldn't even get it to work, the viewfinder was black, the screen was black, and a red light was lit up on the back of the camera.

What am I doing wrong or does the camera sound defective? I'm not convinced a mirrorless camera is right for me if these issues are regular occurrences.

Not regular occurrences.

Reset the camera and see if that straightens things out. If not, give Canon support a call at 1-800-OK-CANON.

Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

shadowsports — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:07:39 GMT

Kelly217,

Please don't be discouraged. As my colleagues have mentioned this is not normal for mirrorless. You've made a great choice. The R5 mkII is one of the finest cameras available and likely 1000x more reliable than anything you're coming from.

If the media access light is staying on continuously, it sounds like a problem with a media card or a hardware communication issue.

Do reset the camera's main and custom settings as my colleague suggested and retest.

If you'd continue to have issues, Canon support is just a phone call away.

Re: EOS R5 mark ii - viewfinder distortion with RF 85mm F1.4 VCM and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

Waddizzle — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:55:23 GMT

Very strange problem for new gear. Two lenses seem to work properly and two do not. I suggest that you contact the vendor that sold the lenses.