Constantly getting soft images even when EOS R7 says it's focused and tracking eyes.

[brookbyrnes]

Best focusBest focus

I've included images showing the focus points. The best focused image is the last (2), showing zoomed and the full. These were on shot on Canon R7, bought Dec 2025, with RF 100-500 4.5-7.1L, bought mid-Jan 2026. Both camera and lens were bought brand new. I've been using them mostly for bird photography, but some other nature as well.

I have 100 photos of this Loon and only 2-3 are kind of in focus. There were numerous re-focus's throughout shooting it. IBIS and IS on lens were both on. Subject and eye tracking are both on. AF set to Case 2, stay on target. This has been a consistent issue for me and it almost seems random. It wasn't a particularly cold day, light wind, not too hot either. I have other photos from the day that are of birds on the water and FURTHER away but seem to be in better focus. I could see this bird clearly with my own eyes, it was no more than 20-30 ft in the water, another 10 from me to the water. 

I shot every one of these images at 500mm. This is not the only set of images that are simply SOFT, not focused. Just the easiest representation because this is a large bird, fairly close.

Any ideas or tips/tricks that can be recommended? I know the R7 has limitations but I usually get 25-30% keep rate, even with birds. This seems to be happening more in the last week or so, in comparison to when I got the lens/camera. I have not changed any settings in the last week or so, can give more detail if necessary.

I shoot 3-4 times per week, usually around 1000 images, with about 300 good/in focus.
Been shooting Canon since ~2010. Rebel T6i, 6D MKII, R7, various lenses.

[Waddizzle]

I think you don’t understand how to use a telephone lens. You use it to fill your frame with the subject.  You are using to capture subjects from a distance.

You need to figure out how to get closer to the subjects.  I sat in one location for two hours to allow the birds to come to me. 

 

[ebiggs1]

"I think you don’t understand how to use a telephone lens. You use it to fill your frame with the subject.  You are using to capture subjects from a distance. You need to figure out how to get closer to the subjects."  

Absolutely, the best reply ever and absolutely true. It's not that hard to understand why most people especially new people think of a telephoto lens is a telescope or like binoculars. There is no substitute for getting closer.

I know this is a unpopular answer but it is meant to inform not offend.  Not that it is the answer to every issue but it is to a lot of them.

"Yes, and remember almost all OOF or soft images are user error and not the gear. Sometimes you ask the camera/lens to do more then it can as all photography has its limitations."

[ebiggs1]

"I shoot 3-4 times per week, usually around 1000 images, with about 300 good/in focus."

OK, the fact you get some in-focus shots proves the camera/lens combo is working, or can work, as designed. The rest have a different reason for not being in-focus. Your job is to figure out why or you can send the combo to Canon  and have a C&C done if for nothing else for your own peace of mind.