EOS R Can't see anything through viewfinder in bright sunlight

[eapples]

Hello:

I have a Canon EOS R camera.  I use primarily a Canon EFS 18-135 lens.  Sometimes I'll use a Tamron AF 70-300 lens.

Whenever I'm in bright sunlight, not necessarily direct sunlight but bright daylight surroundings, I cannot see ANYTHING through the viewfinder or using the digital screen.  If I adjust the aperture setting, the best I'll get is a very dim image, barely visible.  If I move to a shady spot, then there's no problem -- the images are crystal clear.

Am I doing something wrong?  Is this a shortcoming of mirrorless cameras?  I tried researching this, and the articles relate to focusing on a subject that is in direct sunlight.  That is not my issue -- my issue is using the camera whenever it's sunny outside, and I'm not standing in a shady spot.

Please note:  I am a technology dinosaur -- my eyes glaze over whenever I try reading technojargon.

Thank you for your help.

[rs-eos]

What mode do you have the camera in? Auto (Green A+)? Some other mode like M, Av, etc?

[kvbarkley]

Something is wrong. Assuming that the sun is not directly visible in the shot, the image should be easily viewable*.

I am assuming that the images come out OK.

What adapter are you using? 

*That is in the viewfinder, it is often hard to see the back LCD in brightly sunlit conditions.

[kvbarkley]

If you are in one of the creative modes, you might try playing with the exposure simulation:

[stevet1]

eapples,

You wrote, " If I adjust the aperture setting, the best I'll get is a very dim image, barely visible."

Does this mean that when you are experiencing your problem, that the screens are completely black, or completely white?

And when you say, "adjusting aperture", do you mean that you are adjusting the aperture to make it wider, or make it narrower?

And lastly, do you experience the same problem on both lenses?

Steve Thomas

[shadowsports]

@eapples ,

I'm also very interested to hear which brand adapter you're using and the shooting mode you're in when this behavior occurs?

My inclination would be to perform a reset of Main and Custom settings on the body.  Then retest (without making changes except for date and time) outdoors on a sunny day with the camera in [A+] Automatic mode.  

There is no limitation or reason the camera would display nearly imperceptible dark (dim) images on the EVF or LCD just because you're using EF-S lenses.

There's going to be a simple explanation for this.  Hardware issue, settings or accessory used.  Your lens choices take your capable 30.3 megapixel camera to capturing images at about 11.8 megapixels.  I hope this is something intentional or you are aware of.

Your previous posts seemed indicate other issues with these hardware choices and configuration.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/259731

[shadowsports]

After reviewing his previous posts, he appears to be using a Canon control ring adapter.  

So we're down to hardware issues or settings.  

[eapples]

In all my shots the sun is never in the photograph.  I have absolutely no clue what exposure simulation is -- if it's a feature on my camera, then I've never used it.  I'm using an adapter so that I can use my dSLR lenses on the mirrorless camera.  It's labeled "Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R."

[eapples]

I don't know what Green a+ is.  I generally use aperture priority, if that's what you mean,

[eapples]

When I try adjusting the aperture, I can barely see the image -- the screen is black, same with the viewfinder.  When I tried adjusting the aperture, I tried in both directions -- one way gave me a completely white screen, and the other gave me a completely black screen.  In either case, I could barely see the image, i.e. the image never completely appeared in the viewfinder or on the digital screen.