RF50 f/1.8 & Continuous Manual Focus availability on EOS R7

[JamesHarvey]

I recently repeated some tests to examine the interaction between the lens switches on the no-ring RF-S & single-ring RF consumer lenses & the MF/AF switch on the R7.  I noticed in the process that whereas continuous MF was available with the RF nifty-fifty when I tested with FW1.4.0, when I re-tested today with camera FW1.6.1 I noted it was not.  I found the same for the RF800/11, but it still works with the RF16/2.8.  

I then hunted around to find the compatibility tables at Canon START and noted that indeed the first two lenses were no longer on there.  Can anyone enlighten me as to why they were dropped, & what the criteria are for a lens to be allowed to have this function. 

TIA for any repoonses. 

[mikesteve]

That’s an interesting observation. Firmware updates sometimes change the way Canon implements features like continuous manual focus (CMF), especially on consumer-level RF lenses. From what I’ve seen, Canon tends to restrict CMF support on lenses that don’t have a dedicated control ring or that are positioned as entry-level models, likely to keep the higher-end RF “L” series differentiated.

The fact that the RF16mm f/2.8 still supports it but the RF50mm f/1.8 and RF800mm f/11 don’t might be tied to internal motor design and how much fine control Canon feels those lenses can realistically deliver in CMF mode.

[Commercial link removed per community guidelines.]

[ebiggs1]

A better answer is to call Canon 800-652-2666.

[JamesHarvey]

Thanks but my experience has been that depending on who you can get through to there you may or may not get an accurate response.  That is why I prefer to find reference to published Canon docs where possible. 

[ebiggs1]

That's all fine and well, my friend, but only Canon itself will have the latest up to date info. Docs can and do change. They may provide a starting point but you need to talk with a real human Cannon person. This forum is not Canon we are just users the same as you.

[mikesteve]

I’ve tested the RF 50mm f/1.8 on the EOS R7, and while it’s a great budget-friendly lens, it doesn’t offer true continuous manual focus during Servo AF. You can manually adjust focus in MF mode, but when using continuous autofocus, the camera takes full control and the ring won’t let you override smoothly. It’s one of the limitations of this lens compared to higher-end RF glass. That said, I’ve seen many shooters, including those at Hope Enterprises, recommend it as an affordable option for portraits and everyday shooting, especially if you don’t rely heavily on manual overrides during AF.

[JamesHarvey]

The problem is that those "real Canon people" don't always seem aware of their own published information, for whatever reasons. The optimum solution would be for a real Canon person to direct us to the information they are reading from, which is probably published, somewhere! 

[ebiggs1]

All companies have their dead beats even the best of companies. If you get one on the phone hang up and call back. No matter, the real official info can only come from Canon. I know sometimes its a bummer.