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Canon RF 70-200 f/2.8 Front Focus issue

dspmax
Contributor

Hi, new to the forum!

 

I've just purchased a Canon RF 70-200 lens, and after several days of usage appear to notice a front focus. It's not a severe issue, and mainly shows up in the shallow depth of focus circumstances, such as close-ups and portraits, where nailing the focal point is important, but it does make the lens feel soft. Given the $2700 price and the fact that I already sold my 70-200, I'm feeling a bit of buyer's remorse. I'm not the only one, seems like photography forums are beginning to get some momentum around this be a wide-spread phenomenon with this lens. 

 

I just wanted to see if Canon is aware and anticipates this to be addressed as a firmware update or something I need to get the lens sent out. 

8 REPLIES 8

kvbarkley
VIP
VIP

We can't answer for Canon, but it does appear to be a common problem with this lens. It is discussed in the comments in the teardown article I linked to here:

 

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/General-Camera-Discussion/RF70-200-Teardown/m-p/289111#M8240

 

I suggest you call Canon if it is still under warranty.


@kvbarkley wrote:

We can't answer for Canon, but it does appear to be a common problem with this lens. It is discussed in the comments in the teardown article I linked to here:

 

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/General-Camera-Discussion/RF70-200-Teardown/m-p/289111#M8240

 

I suggest you call Canon if it is still under warranty.


How do you get front focusing with a lens that projects its focusing image directly on the sensor? If there is a front focusing issue, wouldn't it have to be the fault of the camera, not the lens?

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

I don't know except to say that control loops are wierd things.


@kvbarkley wrote:

I don't know except to say that control loops are wierd things.


PID, PI, P.

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"The right mouse button is your friend."

dspmax
Contributor

I called in support and will be looking to ship the lens to the service center. I'm wondering if I should also send in my Canon EOS R as well, since perhaps it is more of a camera issue than the R? I don't have the same issue with non-RF lenses (i.e. when using EF lenses with the RF adapter). Here's an example of what i'm seeing (this is my post on dpreview): https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63405288


@dspmax wrote:

I called in support and will be looking to ship the lens to the service center. I'm wondering if I should also send in my Canon EOS R as well, since perhaps it is more of a camera issue than the R? I don't have the same issue with non-RF lenses (i.e. when using EF lenses with the RF adapter). Here's an example of what i'm seeing (this is my post on dpreview): https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63405288


If you think it's a good idea, by all means send it. Calibrating your gear with your gear is always a good idea. At the Factory Service Center (FSC) they have prescsion equipment to test and align your lenses and perform adjustments, however, if it turns out that there's a mis-alignment on your R (somehow - I don't know the ins-and-outs of the R technically speaking), then they may have to perform adjustments on the R as well. 

 

TL;DR: When I was a tech, I always advised folks to send the camera and lens(es) that were misbehaving. Our team might not be able to recreate the exact conditions of your situation without your exact gear. 🤷‍♂️

Thanks Steven! Would I need to modify the service request to include instructions that I'm including the camera as well? 

You can simply include the camera with the lens.  We'll check in your gear when it arrives.

 

We look forward to getting your equipment back to working order!

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