Focusing Issues with EOS R6 Mark II

[jdavis19]

Hi - I have a Canon R6 Mark ii and am having issues with focusing. For example, it will focus on faces, but then the hands will remain blurry and out of focus. Additionally, it does not perform well in low light. Any input would be greatly appreciated! 

[Waddizzle]

What were your exposure settings?  What focal length was in use?

I think the soft focus on the hands is a DoF issue, not the camera.  

[jrhoffman75]

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@jdavis19 wrote:

Hi - I have a Canon R6 Mark ii and am having issues with focusing. For example, it will focus on faces, but then the hands will remain blurry and out of focus. Additionally, it does not perform well in low light. Any input would be greatly appreciated! 

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As Bill explained, a lens/camera can only focus at one distance from the sensor/focal plane. All other appearances of being in or out of focus at different distances is a function of the depth of field of the lens. Wide aperture (small number) less depth of field. Small aperture (large number) greater depth of field. 

What do you consider to be low light and how are you judging performance?

[p4pictures]

From the image you shared I found the camera settings and lens info.

1/100th, f/2.8, ISO 100 

Lens is EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM (Mark I) set to 30mm focal length.

Shooting at f/2.8 your depth of field will be limited, and if you were close enough to fill the frame with this image then f/2.8 will not result in enough depth of field to get the hands that are much closer to the camera sharp. You need to work out if the blurry hands are purely depth of field related, or actually moving. The only way to stop movement of the subject is faster shutter speed. I find 1/100th is almost the minimum for most people being photographed. I would suggest going to 1/200th at least even if that means ISO increases to ISO 200. 

I have the EOS R6 Mark II and it looks rather good at a wide range of ISO settings, so if you are finding your images appear noisy at modest ISOs then look at your processing settings. I can see that you have used Adobe software to process the photo. 

My EOS R6 Mark II has shown itself to be able to focus in almost complete darkness, so I'm surprised by your statement that the camera doesn't perform well in low light. 

[jdavis19]

Thank you so much! I am new to a mirrorless camera and am used to how my DSLR performs. I'll take all the advice I can get! 

[FloridaDrafter]

Hello, jdavis!

Brian is spot on, as usual:) I also have the R6 II and it is amazing in lower light and like Brian, I have shot and achieved AF of subjects under a full moon.

One of the things you will learn about the R's during your transition from DSLR's, especially the newer ones like the R6 II, is higher ISO values are better tolerated. This opens up some advantages, like the ability to use smaller apertures for better depth of field and the ability to use faster shutter speeds, which in combination with IS and IBIS make for sharper images. So don't be afraid to do those things when shooting with your R6 II and f/2.8L glass. In fact, I sometimes use my ISO wheel to adjust my shutter or aperture to ether get better DOF or freeze action. I'm rarely concerned about noise from ISO.

Newton

[jdavis19]

Thank you! Great feedback and much appreciated.