topic Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

iZip42104 — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:40:35 GMT

Howdy!

EOS R5 RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM

I recently began using CamRanger 2 to take stacked macro photos. I quickly noticed that I did not have a clear image in my viewfinder, screen, and on the CamRanger app. I have been using my R5 and macro lens to take pics of insects for several years, but never noticed this blurry image before. The pictures are clear and sharp. It is just the image in the viewfinder and screen that is blurry. I need the image to be sharp for setting the focus points on the CamRanger 2

Thinking it may be an issue with the R5, I got my second R5 out and I am getting the same results using the same lens. Clear and sharp pictures, but blurry images thru the viewfinder, and screen.

I have searched for solutions on this forum and online, but have found nothing that worked. I have pictures if that would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for any attention given to this issue.

John

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

FloridaDrafter — Mon, 18 May 2026 22:47:57 GMT

I doubt it's the R5 since you've tried 2 and I've been using mine for 5 years with both EF & RF 100mm lenses. However, I use either the camera or Helicon, usually Helicon, so my results may not be a solid NO, it's not the R5 if that makes sense.

Do the other functions of the CamRanger 2 that require AF work properly, Like Touch-to-Focus, HDR, etc.?

Newton

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

iZip42104 — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:51:06 GMT

I appreciate your response.

I can see the blurry image in the screen as well as the viewfinder, and that is with the CamRanger attached or not. It is something with the R5. Maybe some kinda setting?

I usually look for a change in the color of the focus box in the viewfinder to determine if a picture is in focus. After 50 years of diabetes my eyes are not the best. It was only when I got the images onto a large screen on my computer that I was sure something was wrong, and I started looking closer at the camera.

I thought maybe my lens, but the pictures turn out sharp. And they are sharp whether the pic is initiated from the CamRanger or the R5.

I am stumped.

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

FloridaDrafter — Tue, 19 May 2026 02:35:43 GMT

So, just to be crystal clear. Both of your R5's are blurry (EVF and LCD) with or without the CamRanger ? I know that's what you typed, I'm just double checking (it's an annoying habit I have, just ask my wife).

Sorry... I just want to wrap my head around this and see if we can come up with an answer 🙂

BTW, I understand the eye situation. I'm in the same boat.

Newton

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

kvbarkley — Tue, 19 May 2026 02:39:42 GMT

If it was a dslr i would say the diopter is off.
is it blurry when you playback an image?

had the camera focused on anything? Is that point sharp?

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

iZip42104 — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:42:02 GMT

Yes What you stated is correct. Both the EVF and LCD are blurry, but the pics turn out clear. And they are blurry whether or not the CamRanger is plugged in or not.

This is the LCD.

This is a screen shot from the CamRanger.

This is the pic I took on this view.

I hope these pics show you what I am dealing with.

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

iZip42104 — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:46:40 GMT

Thanks for your reply. Please take a look at my reply to FloridaDrafter. Does that answer your questions?

When looking at a pic I have taken thru the EVF or on the LCD, it appears sharp.

I seems to be something to do with Live View, or whatever Canon calls that.

Re: EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

Waddizzle — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:49:39 GMT

“ I doubt it's the R5 since you've tried 2 and I've been using mine for 5 years with both EF & RF 100mm lenses. “

I am also inclined to agree that the cameras are not the issue. You could be seeing the narrow depth of field.

I suggest testing the camera alone, no accessories besides tripod. Put the lens in MF and focus using rear screen. Magnify the image to focus.

Once you have an area that is in focus, reduce magnification to normal. Is the entire image in focus?

I would not expect to see everything in focus. I would expect to see most of the image out of focus. YMMV.

Re: Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

kvbarkley — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:16:12 GMT

Have you tried doing a half-shutter press to get it to focus?

Re: EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

deebatman316 — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:45:07 GMT

@Waddizzle I was thinking the same thing. Canon focuses with the lens wide open. Exposure Simulation is with the lens wide open also. So if you’re looking through the EVF or at the LCD screen. Things are going to appear soft and or out of focus. Pressing the depth of field preview will stop down the lens aperture. Allowing you to see the true depth of of field.

Re: EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

iZip42104 — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:22:30 GMT

So, pressing the depth of field preview button sharpened up the image on the EVF, the LCD, and in CamRanger. Thank you for suggesting that!

Is there any way to keep the view I am trying to focus by at the correct depth of field all the time? In other words, do I have to press the depth of field button with my right hand while I'm working the focus adjustment in CamRange 2 with my left hand? I don't think I am coordinated enough to do that.

Surely there must be something I can do to that would keep the depth of field where it needs to be for clear focusing?

Thanks again for your help with this!

Re: EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

deebatman316 — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:09:20 GMT

@iZip42104 it’s not possible the camera locks out the AF system when the depth of field button is pressed. Even for manual focusing too the lens won’t have power to adjust focus manually. If you’re using focus by wire lenses. That includes ALL RF lenses and some EF lenses (Nano USM, some Ring Type USM & STM lenses. You can however magnify the image in live view mode. Then focus manually until everything is in focus. But the depth of field will be shallow still since the lens aperture is wide open.

Re: EOS R5 Blurry screen, viewfinder, and CamRanger 2 image, but pictures are sharp.

FloridaDrafter — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:09:59 GMT

@iZip42104 wrote:
Surely there must be something I can do to that would keep the depth of field where it needs to be for clear focusing?

That's what's puzzling to me. I depend on that narrow DOF to set my start point (A), and if I'm using Helicon, to set my end point (B). "A" being the nearest and "B" the farthest. The screen capture example is a dime sized flower using the R5, RF 100mm, and Helicon Remote

Rendered and color profile added. [EDITED] Oops, I posted the wrong rendering 🙂

The same applies to when I'm using the in camera feature to shoot my stacks. I rely on that narrow f/2.8 at MFD to get a sharp start point. I'm using the same gear as you and have no trouble discerning sharp focus at f/2.8, be it in the EVF, the LCD, or my computer monitor. I looked at your images, and am even more baffled 🤔 My "knee jerk" reaction is that you're either to close, the focus distance switch is improperly set, or your SA ring is at an extreme setting. TBH, I'm at a loss given the success I've had with the RF 100 and the R5 series cameras.

I will add that my experience goes way back to the days of using a WeMacro rail and Helicon with various DSLR's, so I've been doing this for quite some time before the 5 years with the R5 series 🙂

I hope you get it figured out.

Newton