Calibration for EOS R6 Mark II / front focusing issue

[EK25]

Hello everyone! I am very confused - and will be thankful for your patience! So I have been shooting with EOS R6 Mark II for over 1 year by now, and a couple of months ago started noticing unusual blur of human faces in my images - very often focus started falling in front of the actual AF point (e.g., AF on the eye, the actual focus - on the shoulder / a balloon the person is holding). I have been shootng with the same lens from the beginning - EF 50mm STM 1.8 lens with an adapter. So at first, I thought it might be the issue with the lens getting old(? since the problem appeared just recently) so I got a new EF 50mm 1.2 USM lens. Unfortunately, same problem persists. Someone recommended I should calibrate my lens (?), but I have just read that mirrorless cameras do not require calibration. I am really confused. Is calibrating a camera vs calibrating a lens a different thing? Or am I sort of always calibrating a "duo" (i.e. if I change something in my camera, does it mean that if I later get Rf lens it will have to be recalibrated again)? At this point what should my next steps be? Thank you so much in advance.      

[EK25]

Thank you, got it. Then what do you suggest the problem is? I suspect something is wrong with the body since:

- at first EF lens functioned perfectly

- 2 months ago a problem appeared. Now the original EF lens shows a problem.  A "new" (used "like new" 2007) EF lens shows a problem as well. 

If getting an RF lens is NOT a solution, what could it be? 

[EK25]

Thank you! I see. I will try to get hold of a different lens, be it EF or RF. But given the problem appeared just 2 months ago, and manifests itself both on my original lens (which worked great at the beginning) and this new "old" lens (2007 EF "like new" condition I just got). .. I conclude the problem is with the body???

[jrhoffman75]

---

@EK25 wrote:

Thank you, got it. Then what do you suggest the problem is? I suspect something is wrong with the body since:

- at first EF lens functioned perfectly

- 2 months ago a problem appeared. Now the original EF lens shows a problem.  A "new" (used "like new" 2007) EF lens shows a problem as well. 

If getting an RF lens is NOT a solution, what could it be? 

---

I don’t have an answer to what the problem might be. You said “a problem appeared and now the original EF lens shows a problem “ Are they the same problem? Anything happen with camera, like a drop?

I suggest you call Canon support at 1-800-OK-CANON. Much easier to talk in person. 

[jrhoffman75]

I’m not sure that is correct:

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/dual_pixel_cmos_af_ef_lens_compatibility/

but even if the Canon website is wrong I’m not sure it’s related to the OP’s problem. 

[deebatman316]

A lot of older pre DPAF will exhibit what looks like back focus. It’s usually very old Arc Form Drive, Micro Motor and Micro USM lenses that have this problem. I think the af motor is just too slow.

[Peter]

Mirrorless cameras may require AF adjustment. R6 can for example save AF adjustment for 7 lenses, but you cannot do it from the camera menu.

If I remember it right 6D can save 20.

What I know there is no third-party software for R6 II yet so you will have to send the camera and lens to Canon or wait.

I have no problem with R6 and EF 50/1.2L USM more than focus shift at f/2.8 that will give me back focus. 

I did have some problems with Sigma 500/4.5 until I change AF case.

[K_ozdragon]

Have you tried AI Servo mode to make sure you're not moving while focusing? An aperture of f/3.2 is going to have a really slim focal plane at those distances. You might also ensure that your camera is set to continue searching for focus when none is found. Your focus points are on dimly lit areas that are fairly small, & there's not a ton of solid contrast for the focus to grab. So it might be locking in error rather than seeking for a solid lock if this setting is off. It should be on by default.

I would definitely try servo mode first just to be sure. Plus checking the focus search is on. You might also try going to a Best Buy or camera shop to test an RF lens. For what Canon will charge for service, you could just buy the proper RF lens.

Finally, try setting up a similar shooting situation but with better lighting & an object with well defined lines for the auto focus to lock onto. If you're using the eye detection but testing on an object, switch to spot focus. Then test with the large & small box.

[Aerobatpj]

Can you get good focus using manuel ?

[EK25]

Always shooting manual 

[EK25]

Thank you, I almost always use AI servo since shooting lots of kids running around. I am wondering which setting exactly you mean by "camera continues searching for focus". Would you mind elaborating where in the menu "focus search" is on. I am quite sure it is, but just curious as I cannot recall this wording exactly in AF tab. Let me check. And yes, a number of people suggested the problem might be with the adaptor so trying an RF lens is the next step. I wish there were more affordable.