Focusing issues with Canon R1 and R5 Mark II

[fingham]

Hi,

I have used the Canon R1 and R5 Mark II for several weeks to photograph sports.  Both cameras seem to have the same problem for me, and I am looking to see if others have had issues as well.

When using the R1 or R5II with the 100-300 f2.8 or 24-105 f2.8, after some time, I am unable to focus and must turn the camera off, remove/insert the battery, and turn it back on for it to function correctly.  I am using the following Camera and AF settings (the ones that I think might be relevant to this issue):

Camera:

Pre-Cont Shooting - Enable; Blackout-Free Display - On

AF:

AF Operation - SERVO; Whole Area Tracking SERVO - On; Subject to Detect - People; Eye Detection - Auto; Action Priority - Enable; Sports Event - Basketball; (AF) Case - Auto

The focusing issue seems to happen once I have been using the cameras for some time (perhaps 1-2 hours) and after I have taken 1000+ photos. Specifically, as I use my back-button focusing button and zoom the lens in/out to frame the action, I am suddenly not able to focus at all. I then have to shut down the cameras and hope focusing returns.

All of my cameras and lenses have the latest firmware.

This originally happened with my R5II but not with my R1. However, since I updated the R1 to firmware 1.0.1, it has also happened with the R1.

It appears to be a software issue akin to a memory leak or resource exhaustion of some other type. These cameras are very expensive, and we rely on them to function correctly, especially during sports/news action. At this point, I cannot trust them to function correctly when I most need them to.

Has anyone else seen this?  Is there a proven solution?  We are dealing with new technology, but I thought they were stress-tested during the Olympics and other such events. Did this not happen there as well?

Thanks

[fingham]

First, thank you for the link to the document; I had not seen it for the R1 before, and it is interesting to read. I have never had the focusing issue when I was NOT using Action Priority. My setup has two differences from your settings; I am using 'Expand AF area: Around', and I use 'Case Manual'/Tracking sensitivity -1/Accel./devel. tracking +1.  I would not think those would help your issue, but I am using it without fail to date.

[Disappointed9]

I have the same problem with R1 and 100-300mm. Sometimes after 45 minutes, once after 10', once emmediately. 😞

[Disappointed9]

My problems R1+100-300: I had not installed Action Priority...at once or after 10' or after approximately 45'  focusing not possible.

[iceskatingphoto]

Update to my previous message and some clarifications. My wife and I only take pictures of ice skating. Equipment: 1DX Mark III (now replaced by R1) and R3, lenses EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, RF 100-300 f/2.8 L IS USM.
In competition we often shoot 6-7 hours a day and consequently a few thousand shots. For 1.5 years my wife has been using R3 and RF 100-300: never had a problem.
In November we bought the R1 and started shooting with the RF 100-300; unfortunately, already at the second competition the focusing problems with both the 100-300 mm and the 70-200 (less frequent, however) began. I shoot with R3 and EF300 with adapter, no focusing problems.
The R1 in some competitions has manifested another issue: the temperature indicator comes on, up to first level (in an ice rink!).
I have also tried using the RF 100-300 with the R3 and again focus errors occur (albeit less frequently). Usually the focusing error with this lens occurs when zooming in or out. During a competition, away from the ice, I always shot at 300 mm, no problem. I suspect that the lens also has a malfunction.
Now, with the season over, I have sent the R1, R3 and RF 100-300 to service for a thorough check.
PS
Translated with Gogle, English is not my language, hope I was understandable.

[iceskatingphoto]

Today new firmware for R1. Fixing focus and temperature problems 

https://www.canonrumors.com/canon-eos-r1-firmware-v1-0-2-released/

[kvbarkley]

It is also in the announcement area of this site. No need to go to Canon Rumors...

[fingham]

Have you upgraded and did it fix your issues?

[fingham]

As I previous indicated, the issue for me happened when I was using Action Priority and zooming in/out.  I have used the R1 and R5 for many months now and have not experienced the issue while not using Action Priority.  It is interesting that the new firmware talks about fixing an issue when focusing at specific focal ranges but does not mention Action Priority.  I will update my firmware soon and see how it goes.  Would be interested in the experiences of anyone else that had this issue and have upgraded their firmware to this most recent version - did it take care of the issue?

[fingham]

I am sorry to hear that.  The combination of the R1 and the 100-300 is fantastic!  I have not had any more issues since I stopped using Action Priority.  I have not upgraded the firmware yet and tried AP again - when I do, I will report the results.  That said, as others have pointed out, proper use of the focusing capabilities built into the camera without Action Priority are far superior to Action Priority anyway.  It was something new, I tried it, it did not work well... oh well...

[iceskatingphoto]

As said in my previous message I have sent the R1, R3 and RF 100-300 to Canon camera service (for Switzerland, where I live is in Germany)  but I am still waiting for them to come back.

The new firmware should correct exactly the 2 problems I had. With the 100-300 the focus often got stuck between 240 and 300 mm. For the temperature problem I am doubtful because I have photographed several times side by side with colleagues with identical equipment and none of them had any signs of overheating. In any case, I will post the results when I receive the equipment back.