EOS R5 Mark II Inconsistent focus

[RFAdapter]

On the latest version of R5 Mark II firmware (1.2.0) and for the life of me, I can't seem to get a consistent in focus shot.  I will randomly get an in focus shot occasionally but it's the exception.  This is an day 1 pre-order camera. 

I've tried a few of my lenses from a Canon EF 500 f4 II and a Canon RF 100-500.  It's almost like the camera isn't actually focused on the area.  Tried One Shot and Servo, though I primarily just use Servo. 

Here are some links to RAW files for review.   All shots were done on a Tripod.

I have a scheduled trip to Yellowstone in May and frankly am worried about taking any of my current gear.  
I would like to think it's just a simple setting that I messed up.   I've done a factory reset a few times as well.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12exMc05BSqiVbXDon6hFZLH9SFzJKpcK?usp=sharing

[SignifDigits · Accepted solution]

The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous.  The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous.  The only picture in focus was the vultures.

I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down.  I would suggest:

1. Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window
2. Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod
3. Shoot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode
4. Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle
5. Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation
6. Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway

See if you can get in-focus results with those settings.  If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on.  If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS.  Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter. 

[deebatman316]

Hi @RFAdapter welcome to the forums. What mount adapter are you using for EF lenses the Canon brand adapter or a 3rd Party Mount adapter. The pictures looked like the camera focused on something closer to it such as the branch instead of the birds. I've notified my colleagues who also do wildlife photography @shadowsports and @JFG they are more knowledgeable about wildlife than me.

[deebatman316]

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@SignifDigits wrote:

The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous.  The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous.  The only picture in focus was the vultures.

I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down.  I would suggest:

1. Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window
2. Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod
3. Shot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode
4. Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle
5. Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation
6. Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway

See if you can get in-focus results with those settings.  If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on.  If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS.  Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter. 

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@SignifDigits don't forget about the menu setting called "Preview AF/ Continuous AF" I believe the EOS R5 Mark II calls it "Preview AF".

[JFG]

Hello RFAdapter,

This is classic R5 Mark II behavior when one or two key settings are off. Your not crazy, and the camera isn’t broken. The R5 II is brutally unforgiving if certain AF or shutter‑related settings drift out of alignment.

Here’s the clean, field‑proven way to diagnose this. If you follow these steps, you’ll know exactly where the failure is coming from.

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🔍 The 6 Most Common Causes of “Randomly In‑Focus” Shots on the R5 Mark II

Below is the exact order you need to check — because one of these is almost always the culprit.

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1️⃣ Shutter Mode: Full Electronic = Soft / Missed Focus
This is the #1 cause of “inconsistent focus” on the R5 II.

If you're using:
- Electronic shutter (silent)
- High-speed bursts
- Telephoto lenses

…you will absolutely see random softness.

Fix:
Set Shutter Mode → Electronic 1st Curtain (EFCS)
This instantly stabilizes focus consistency.

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2️⃣ AF Method Accidentally Changed
The R5 II is notorious for switching AF methods if a button is bumped.

If you're is shooting:
- 1‑point AF when you think you're in tracking
or
- Whole-area tracking when you think you're in spot AF

…you'll get random hits.

Fix:
Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking (for anything moving)
Set Subject Detection → Auto or Animals
Set Eye Detection → On

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3️⃣ AF Operation Not on Servo
If you’re in One‑Shot AF, the camera locks focus once and never updates — so anything moving will be soft.

Fix:
Set AF Operation → Servo

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4️⃣ Subject Detection Off or Wrong Subject Type
If subject detection is off, the R5 II behaves like an old DSLR — and misses a ton.

Fix:
AF → Subject Detection → Auto
or
Animals if you’re shooting wildlife.

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5️⃣ Lens IS + IBIS Conflict (rare but real)
Some RF lenses (especially older ones) can cause micro‑jitter when:
- IBIS = On
- Lens IS = On
- Shutter = Electronic

This creates “random soft frames.”

Fix:
Try turning Lens IS Off temporarily to test.
If the problem disappears, that’s the cause.

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6️⃣ Minimum Shutter Speed Too Low (Auto ISO users)
If you’re using Auto ISO with a low minimum shutter, the camera will happily drop to 1/250 or 1/320 — which is too slow for anything moving.

Fix:
Set Min Shutter Speed → 1/1000 or 1/2000 for action.

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🧪 The 30‑Second Diagnostic Test
Do the following:

1. Set Mode → Av
2. Set Shutter Mode → EFCS
3. Set AF Operation → Servo
4. Set AF Method → Whole Area Tracking
5. Set Subject Detect → Auto
6. Set Eye Detect → On
7. Set Min Shutter → 1/2000
8. Shoot a walking person or a bird on a branch

If the camera suddenly nails focus consistently, the issue is 100% settings‑related.  Let me know if the aforementioned helps.   Good Luck 👍 

[RFAdapter]

1.) No filters used on either lens but I agree that's kind of what the output looks like for the most part.
2.) IS turned off on new shots
3.) One Shot for next test shots
4.) Used a 2 sec time on the last 3 shots but not the 1st shot that was in focus (go figure lol)
5.) I'll try later
6.) Spot Focused used on all new shots

Also only utilizing electronic shutter.  

New Set of test shots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V12V3mK1u1zLYNcnfWK7X0wcQgyfDTiH/view?usp=sharing

[deebatman316]

@JFG Great advice and thanks for chiming in with your expertise on the EOS R5 Mark II. This should be made into a PKB article for future reference.

[SignifDigits]

Looks better, don't you think? 1x is in focus on the HVAC label (which is where I'm assuming you spot focused) but not quite as sharp as we'd like.  Depth of field should have gotten the windows in focus, I would have thought.  I will defer to JFG's wisdom.

[RFAdapter]

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@deebatman316 wrote:

Hi @RFAdapter welcome to the forums. What mount adapter are you using for EF lenses the Canon brand adapter or a 3rd Party Mount adapter. The pictures looked like the camera focused on something closer to it such as the branch instead of the birds. I've notified my colleagues who also do wildlife photography @shadowsports and @JFG they are more knowledgeable about wildlife than me.

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Its the canon brand EF to RF adapter without the control ring.  Purchased back when the EOS R was launched.  

[RFAdapter]

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@deebatman316 wrote:

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@SignifDigits wrote:

The vultures show in DPP4 to be shot on an EF500mm f/4 L at 700mm (1.4 tele?), f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, high-speed continuous.  The house back and front pics show shot on RF100-500 @ 500mm, f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 400, low-speed continuous.  The only picture in focus was the vultures.

I believe that you have too many factors going on here to narrow this down.  I would suggest:

1. Remove any filters - almost looks like the photos are being shot through a window
2. Turn off IS "Stabilizer" on the lens since you are using a tripod
3. Shot in one-shot mode, not any continuous mode
4. Use a 10-second delay (preferably in combination with Canon Connect or a remote) to allow the tripod to settle
5. Get as close as your lens will focus (using manual focus to confirm, then AF with a green box) to ensure there is no ground heat radiation
6. Use spot AF - nothing is moving anyway

See if you can get in-focus results with those settings.  If so, then I would suggest turning IS back on.  If that reintroduces the problem it could be something defective in either the lens IS or camera IBIS.  Since you were shooting continuous mode I suppose it could be loose on your tripod or something mechanically loose, especially if you are using the mechanical shutter. 

---

@SignifDigits don't forget about the menu setting called "Preview AF/ Continuous AF" I believe the EOS R5 Mark II calls it "Preview AF".

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Yup I've always had that one turned off.