Strange shadows on skintones - 5DMKIV

[Ludo]

I’ve been using my Canon 5D Mark IV for about 6–7 years regularly, and it has always performed beautifully. However, in the last month, I’ve noticed something strange—my images are showing odd shadows on skin tones that I’ve never seen before. I don't think I've changed my usual settings and shoot natural light, so I’m not sure what’s causing this.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Could it be a sensor problem, lens issue, or something else? I’m attaching an image for reference. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[deebatman316]

What external speedlite are you using Canon or 3rd Party. Is Auto Lighting Optimizer or Highlight Tone Priority Mode. What mode are you shooting in on the top mode dial. What mode is the speedlite set to E-TTL or Manual output. 

[Ludo]

Hi Deebatman316
I didn't use a speedlight for this image (did later on though to get past this, Hahnel 600RT). I shoot Manual Mode. Auto Lighting Optimizer is off. Highlight tone priority is set to Enable.

[deebatman316]

Shooting in natural may reveal shadows. Shooting with a flash you can eliminate shadows. What is a Hahnel 600RT. Canon used to make the 600EX-RT & 600EX II-RT speedlites. It’s not a sensor issue. Are you shooting with a lens hood. Also what lens are you using FULL NAME is needed.

[Ludo]

I’ve been using my Canon 5D Mark IV for about 6–7 years regularly, and it has always performed beautifully in natural light, both indoors and outdoors. The Hahnel Modus 600RT is a speedlight, but there's no need to bother with this since I wasn't using it. I used it afterwards to fix the issue I'm having with my camera - i..e. the sudden harshly uneven skintones that I've never had before. I didn't use the lenshood so it's not that either.
Lens Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM. It's not the lens either as this is my go to lens and has never given issues before. I seem to have adjusted a setting that is causing this issue.

[jrhoffman75]

Looking at the right arm of the left subject it looks like you have high backlighting. I see a similar shadow on inside of arm and left shoulder area of the left subject. I think the heads of the subjects are blocking the light and causing shadows. The fact that you say you resolved the problem with external lighting would seem to support that conclusion.

[deebatman316]

My colleague and I both agree that there isn’t anything wrong with your camera. Shooting in natural light can reveal shadows especially if the lighting is facing a certain angle. Using reflectors or a speedlite will eliminate this issue. Changing camera settings will not fix a lighting issue.