topic Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:31:48 GMT

On the latest version of R5 Mark II firmware (1.2.0) and for the life of me, I can't seem to get a consistent in focus shot. I will randomly get an in focus shot occasionally but it's the exception. This is an day 1 pre-order camera.

I've tried a few of my lenses from a Canon EF 500 f4 II and a Canon RF 100-500. It's almost like the camera isn't actually focused on the area. Tried One Shot and Servo, though I primarily just use Servo.

Here are some links to RAW files for review. All shots were done on a Tripod.

I have a scheduled trip to Yellowstone in May and frankly am worried about taking any of my current gear.
I would like to think it's just a simple setting that I messed up. I've done a factory reset a few times as well.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12exMc05BSqiVbXDon6hFZLH9SFzJKpcK?usp=sharing

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

SignifDigits — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:21:23 GMT

The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous. The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous. The only picture in focus was the vultures.

I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down. I would suggest:

Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window
Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod
Shoot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode
Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle
Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation
Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway

See if you can get in-focus results with those settings. If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on. If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS. Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

deebatman316 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:06:41 GMT

Hi @RFAdapter welcome to the forums. What mount adapter are you using for EF lenses the Canon brand adapter or a 3rd Party Mount adapter. The pictures looked like the camera focused on something closer to it such as the branch instead of the birds. I've notified my colleagues who also do wildlife photography @shadowsports and @JFG they are more knowledgeable about wildlife than me.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

deebatman316 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:09:45 GMT

@SignifDigits wrote:

The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous. The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous. The only picture in focus was the vultures.

I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down. I would suggest:

Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window

Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod

Shot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode

Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle

Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation

Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway

See if you can get in-focus results with those settings. If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on. If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS. Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter.

@SignifDigits don't forget about the menu setting called "Preview AF/ Continuous AF" I believe the EOS R5 Mark II calls it "Preview AF".

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

JFG — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:35:21 GMT

Hello RFAdapter,

This is classic R5 Mark II behavior when one or two key settings are off. Your not crazy, and the camera isn’t broken. The R5 II is brutally unforgiving if certain AF or shutter‑related settings drift out of alignment.

Here’s the clean, field‑proven way to diagnose this. If you follow these steps, you’ll know exactly where the failure is coming from.

---

🔍 The 6 Most Common Causes of “Randomly In‑Focus” Shots on the R5 Mark II

Below is the exact order you need to check — because one of these is almost always the culprit.

---

1️⃣ Shutter Mode: Full Electronic = Soft / Missed Focus
This is the #1 cause of “inconsistent focus” on the R5 II.

If you're using:
- Electronic shutter (silent)
- High-speed bursts
- Telephoto lenses

…you will absolutely see random softness.

Fix:
Set Shutter Mode → Electronic 1st Curtain (EFCS)
This instantly stabilizes focus consistency.

---

2️⃣ AF Method Accidentally Changed
The R5 II is notorious for switching AF methods if a button is bumped.

If you're is shooting:
- 1‑point AF when you think you're in tracking
or
- Whole-area tracking when you think you're in spot AF

…you'll get random hits.

Fix:
Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking (for anything moving)
Set Subject Detection → Auto or Animals
Set Eye Detection → On

---

3️⃣ AF Operation Not on Servo
If you’re in One‑Shot AF, the camera locks focus once and never updates — so anything moving will be soft.

Fix:
Set AF Operation → Servo

---

4️⃣ Subject Detection Off or Wrong Subject Type
If subject detection is off, the R5 II behaves like an old DSLR — and misses a ton.

Fix:
AF → Subject Detection → Auto
or
Animals if you’re shooting wildlife.

---

5️⃣ Lens IS + IBIS Conflict (rare but real)
Some RF lenses (especially older ones) can cause micro‑jitter when:
- IBIS = On
- Lens IS = On
- Shutter = Electronic

This creates “random soft frames.”

Fix:
Try turning Lens IS Off temporarily to test.
If the problem disappears, that’s the cause.

---

6️⃣ Minimum Shutter Speed Too Low (Auto ISO users)
If you’re using Auto ISO with a low minimum shutter, the camera will happily drop to 1/250 or 1/320 — which is too slow for anything moving.

Fix:
Set Min Shutter Speed → 1/1000 or 1/2000 for action.

---

🧪 The 30‑Second Diagnostic Test
Do the following:

1. Set Mode → Av
2. Set Shutter Mode → EFCS
3. Set AF Operation → Servo
4. Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking
5. Set Subject Detect → Auto
6. Set Eye Detect → On
7. Set Min Shutter → 1/2000
8. Shoot a walking person or a bird on a branch

If the camera suddenly nails focus consistently, the issue is 100% settings‑related. Let me know if the aforementioned helps. Good Luck 👍

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:23:46 GMT

1.) No filters used on either lens but I agree that's kind of what the output looks like for the most part.
2.) IS turned off on new shots
3.) One Shot for next test shots
4.) Used a 2 sec time on the last 3 shots but not the 1st shot that was in focus (go figure lol)
5.) I'll try later
6.) Spot Focused used on all new shots

Also only utilizing electronic shutter.

New Set of test shots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V12V3mK1u1zLYNcnfWK7X0wcQgyfDTiH/view?usp=sharing

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

deebatman316 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:30:28 GMT

@JFG Great advice and thanks for chiming in with your expertise on the EOS R5 Mark II. This should be made into a PKB article for future reference.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

SignifDigits — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:38:33 GMT

Looks better, don't you think? 1x is in focus on the HVAC label (which is where I'm assuming you spot focused) but not quite as sharp as we'd like. Depth of field should have gotten the windows in focus, I would have thought. I will defer to JFG's wisdom.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:39:07 GMT

@deebatman316 wrote:
Hi @RFAdapter welcome to the forums. What mount adapter are you using for EF lenses the Canon brand adapter or a 3rd Party Mount adapter. The pictures looked like the camera focused on something closer to it such as the branch instead of the birds. I've notified my colleagues who also do wildlife photography @shadowsports and @JFG they are more knowledgeable about wildlife than me.

Its the canon brand EF to RF adapter without the control ring. Purchased back when the EOS R was launched.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:40:00 GMT

@deebatman316 wrote:
@SignifDigits wrote:
The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous. The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous. The only picture in focus was the vultures.
I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down. I would suggest:
Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window
Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod
Shot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode
Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle
Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation
Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway
See if you can get in-focus results with those settings. If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on. If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS. Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter.

@SignifDigits don't forget about the menu setting called "Preview AF/ Continuous AF" I believe the EOS R5 Mark II calls it "Preview AF".

Yup I've always had that one turned off.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:42:39 GMT

Only one image here. This scene (maybe not file) was identified previously as in-focus.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

JFG — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 19:57:54 GMT

Hi deebatman316,

I'm always happy to help. Thanks for the headsup 👍

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

March411 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:13:41 GMT

@RFAdapter Yellowstone is going to be a great trip. I did it last September and can't wait to go back. One word of advice, let cars pass you and move slow. Most pass right by some great critters and scenery.

Looking at the image of the air conditioner with the pipe in front of it zoom into the sign in the background, was that you point of focus, the sign? The text looks pretty sharp depending on how far away you are from the subject.The other images are difficult to nail down the point of focus.

Have you used Canons DPP software to see your focus point? The software is a bit clunky but great for checking focus points and culling images.

Canon Digital Photo Professional

Also, you are shooting all these examples with a long lens, everything is green. What was the temperature and how far away were you from these subjects? Where are you located? Could this be atmospheric distortion from a hot day? Have you tried some tighter/closer shots with the same lenses? I would try some tighter and see if the results are the same.

Personally if you didn't nail this down within the next week or so I would reach out to Canon service and have them take a look at it. Your window is small so you have to be somewhat aggressive trying to get resolution.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:16:18 GMT

@JFG wrote:
Hello RFAdapter,
This is classic R5 Mark II behavior when one or two key settings are off. Your not crazy, and the camera isn’t broken. The R5 II is brutally unforgiving if certain AF or shutter‑related settings drift out of alignment.
Here’s the clean, field‑proven way to diagnose this. If you follow these steps, you’ll know exactly where the failure is coming from.
---
🔍The 6 Most Common Causes of “Randomly In‑Focus” Shots on the R5 Mark II
Below is the exact order you need to check — because one of these is almost always the culprit.
---
1️⃣Shutter Mode: Full Electronic = Soft / Missed Focus
This is the #1 cause of “inconsistent focus” on the R5 II.
If you're using:
- Electronic shutter (silent)
- High-speed bursts
- Telephoto lenses
…you will absolutely see random softness.
Fix:
Set Shutter Mode → Electronic 1st Curtain (EFCS)
This instantly stabilizes focus consistency.
---
2️⃣AF Method Accidentally Changed
The R5 II is notorious for switching AF methods if a button is bumped.
If you're is shooting:
- 1‑point AF when you think you're in tracking
or
- Whole-area tracking when you think you're in spot AF
…you'll get random hits.
Fix:
Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking (for anything moving)
Set Subject Detection → Auto or Animals
Set Eye Detection → On
---
3️⃣AF Operation Not on Servo
If you’re in One‑Shot AF, the camera locks focus once and never updates — so anything moving will be soft.
Fix:
Set AF Operation → Servo
---
4️⃣Subject Detection Off or Wrong Subject Type
If subject detection is off, the R5 II behaves like an old DSLR — and misses a ton.
Fix:
AF → Subject Detection → Auto
or
Animals if you’re shooting wildlife.
---
5️⃣Lens IS + IBIS Conflict (rare but real)
Some RF lenses (especially older ones) can cause micro‑jitter when:
- IBIS = On
- Lens IS = On
- Shutter = Electronic
This creates “random soft frames.”
Fix:
Try turning Lens IS Off temporarily to test.
If the problem disappears, that’s the cause.
---
6️⃣Minimum Shutter Speed Too Low (Auto ISO users)
If you’re using Auto ISO with a low minimum shutter, the camera will happily drop to 1/250 or 1/320 — which is too slow for anything moving.
Fix:
Set Min Shutter Speed → 1/1000 or 1/2000 for action.
---
🧪 The 30‑Second Diagnostic Test
Do the following:
1. Set Mode → Av
2. Set Shutter Mode → EFCS
3. Set AF Operation → Servo
4. Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking
5. Set Subject Detect → Auto
6. Set Eye Detect → On
7. Set Min Shutter → 1/2000
8. Shoot a walking person or a bird on a branch
If the camera suddenly nails focus consistently, the issue is 100% settings‑related. Let me know if the aforementioned helps. Good Luck 👍

So I tried the 1st step since it was most likely something I hadn't tried yet.

Below is a series of 4 shots at f7/1, 1/1600.
Basically shot 1 is OOF, shot 2 is sharp and shot 3 & 4 are oof. Shot #4 is the worst of the group.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fz1yOFDboff9RPqslJdwTXPePgOlFl-7?usp=sharing

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

RFAdapter — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:24:22 GMT

@March411 wrote:
@RFAdapter Yellowstone is going to be a great trip. I did it last September and can't wait to go back. One word of advice, let cars pass you and move slow. Most pass right by some great critters and scenery.
Looking at the image of the air conditioner with the pipe in front of it zoom into the sign in the background, was that you point of focus, the sign? The text looks pretty sharp depending on how far away you are from the subject.The other images are difficult to nail down the point of focus.
Have you used Canons DPP software to see your focus point? The software is a bit clunky but great for checking focus points and culling images.
Canon Digital Photo Professional
Also, you are shooting all these examples with a long lens, everything is green. What was the temperature and how far away were you from these subjects? Where are you located? Could this be atmospheric distortion from a hot day? Have you tried some tighter/closer shots with the same lenses? I would try some tighter and see if the results are the same.
Personally if you didn't nail this down within the next week or so I would reach out to Canon service and have them take a look at it. Your window is small so you have to be somewhat aggressive trying to get resolution.

Yup it was the sign on the air conditioning unit. I did bring them up in DPP and all the focus points were exactly on that sign. Distance to the AC is 68yds with digital range finger.

added these 4 new shots:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fz1yOFDboff9RPqslJdwTXPePgOlFl-7?usp=sharing

Shots 1, 3 & 4 are oof with # 4 being the worst. Shot 2 is tack sharp.

Temps are low to mid 40s with 37% humidity.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

March411 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:32:49 GMT

Weather and distance don't appear to be part of the challenge.

If the equipment isn't registered with Canon you should probably do that and then reach out for support. You have enough time to get it to them and for it to get returned before Yellowstone.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

deebatman316 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:47:56 GMT

@March411 thanks for joining in to assist as wildlife photography is out of my realm of things.

Re: R5 Mark II Focus Issues

Waddizzle — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 22:10:20 GMT

@RFAdapter wrote:

1.) No filters used on either lens but I agree that's kind of what the output looks like for the most part.
2.) IS turned off on new shots
3.) One Shot for next test shots
4.) Used a 2 sec time on the last 3 shots but not the 1st shot that was in focus (go figure lol)
5.) I'll try later
6.) Spot Focused used on all new shots

Also only utilizing electronic shutter.

New Set of test shots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V12V3mK1u1zLYNcnfWK7X0wcQgyfDTiH/view?usp=sharing

I would advise against using Spot AF. I only use it for macro shots when I capture image stacks. It doesn’t cause the camera to focus more accurately. It reduces the size of the focus area that the camera is analyzing. This can increase the chance of the camera not seeing sufficient contrast to lock focus very well.

I would suggest using the regular single point AF, which can be tough to use for action shots. It takes practice and knowledge of what is about to happen. Something which doesn’t happen very often in wildlife photography.

[EDIT]. There is significant difference between using the electronic shutter and EFCS mode. Check the specs. My R6mII chapters 14-bit images with the EFCS. It captures 12-bit images with the electronic shutter. Not a whole lot of difference.in color resolution. Just an FYI.

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

RFAdapter — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:51:57 GMT

As a follow up I do "think" it was atmospheric related. As I mentioned, I'm about 68yds from the AC unit. Temps were low/mid 40s with low humidity. However, towards the end of the day around 6pm, I went to take another series of photos and zoomed completely in on the camera and did notice a shimmering at the AC unit. While I know it can happen in colder weather, conditions didn't appear apparent at the time.

I just went out 1st thing this morning and tried again. Its 47 degrees and 50% humidity. Below are sample shots at f4-f7. All are tack sharp even with full electronic shutter mode and single point select.

Big thanks to @SignifDigits and @March411 for suggesting this as a possible culprit. Again despite the weather, I should have taken a few mins to use the magnification on camera to see what was happening.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_Xf9MxzoG1fJFLLiTzHmaLGSZafdrCGU?usp=sharing

Re: EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

March411 — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:58:22 GMT

@RFAdapter glad it worked out, I didn't look at all of them but the grates and sign looked pretty sharp on the images I viewed.

When you hit Yellowstone you'll run into some of the same challenges, I did, especially after 10 am and when the subject was distant. It's going to be a great trip, grab a ton of images and stop back here and post some for us.