R6MKII Owners: do you have issues with autofocus?

I have had issues with mine with trying to shoot models, runway style one at a time, or groups. Eye detect on, Spot AF, SERVO, it seems slow to pickup an eye to track, or can't pick a particular subject to focus on (in the group example "3-4 models on a couch for example") I was shooting in ISO-AUTO at times, but others I wasn't and it seemed a little slow to acquire or just wasn't sharp once it found a "rough" focus area seemingly. That, and the body seemed to get quite hot amidst the event I was shooting at the time. The setting was dark, and I did not have flash or a light, so that's probably part of it and on me I know. Always down to see what I can improve, and yes, I have since acquired a flash that's TTL, unlike the other one I had

545Moose said:

I have had issues with mine with trying to shoot models, runway style one at a time, or groups. Eye detect on, Spot AF, SERVO, it seems slow to pickup an eye to track, or can't pick a particular subject to focus on (in the group example "3-4 models on a couch for example") I was shooting in ISO-AUTO at times, but others I wasn't and it seemed a little slow to acquire or just wasn't sharp once it found a "rough" focus area seemingly. That, and the body seemed to get quite hot amidst the event I was shooting at the time. The setting was dark, and I did not have flash or a light, so that's probably part of it and on me I know. Always down to see what I can improve, and yes, I have since acquired a flash that's TTL, unlike the other one I had

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Why Spot focus? Have you tried Whole area AF?

545Moose said:

I have had issues with mine with trying to shoot models, runway style one at a time, or groups. Eye detect on, Spot AF, SERVO, it seems slow to pickup an eye to track, or can't pick a particular subject to focus on (in the group example "3-4 models on a couch for example") I was shooting in ISO-AUTO at times, but others I wasn't and it seemed a little slow to acquire or just wasn't sharp once it found a "rough" focus area seemingly. That, and the body seemed to get quite hot amidst the event I was shooting at the time. The setting was dark, and I did not have flash or a light, so that's probably part of it and on me I know. Always down to see what I can improve, and yes, I have since acquired a flash that's TTL, unlike the other one I had

Click to expand...

Hmmm. My hit rate I'd say is close to 100% in that type of situation (R6ii + RF (L) zooms).

The issue you're having is likely due to settings or technique.

Can you detail your autofocus settings and technique? And include a couple of photos (with EXIF intact). That'd be a good place to start. TIA.

R2

R2D2 said:

545Moose said:

I have had issues with mine with trying to shoot models, runway style one at a time, or groups. Eye detect on, Spot AF, SERVO, it seems slow to pickup an eye to track, or can't pick a particular subject to focus on (in the group example "3-4 models on a couch for example") I was shooting in ISO-AUTO at times, but others I wasn't and it seemed a little slow to acquire or just wasn't sharp once it found a "rough" focus area seemingly. That, and the body seemed to get quite hot amidst the event I was shooting at the time. The setting was dark, and I did not have flash or a light, so that's probably part of it and on me I know. Always down to see what I can improve, and yes, I have since acquired a flash that's TTL, unlike the other one I had

Click to expand...

Hmmm. My hit rate I'd say is close to 100% in that type of situation (R6ii + RF (L) zooms).

The issue you're having is likely due to settings or technique.

Can you detail your autofocus settings and technique? And include a couple of photos (with EXIF intact). That'd be a good place to start. TIA.

R2

Click to expand...

I have not tried Whole Area AF but can give it a try next time, I was just using Spot/Single Point as that's what most of the tutorials have suggested for a starting point, so maybe it's just that. I'm setup using back-button AF, and I'm happy to post a few pictures. Forgive my ignorance, what's EXIF?

Seeing how most all I've read for fashion - runway type show, I was trying to keep shutter at 1/500 or close to it, and it worked well mostly, but there were times where I could switch it to manual - ISO100 and have a better shot while not having to deal with the super dark interior of the mansion I was shooting in; in those settings I left it at M - Auto ISO, which sometimes worked ok, but others was higher ISO and not really to my liking knowing how it should be vs what I had captured. This was all with the RF-f4 24-105,

Translator

R2D2 said:

Yes, even though subject detection/ tracking is certainly a huge advancement, the underlying focusing mechanism is still based on good old contrast detect autofocus (with its accompanying idiosyncrasies). There will be more of them that you'll come across as you use the camera more, guaranteed. Holler back if you have questions!

Happy shooting!

R2

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When I wrote the original post in parallel I have opened a case with Canon, fortunately in my country the Canon support is superb, so I showed to them the issue and they told me to take my camera to Canon support.
Today I received the camera and the autofocus issue was solved and now is spot on, no more issues as showed in the examples.

I recommend people having issues with autofocus even minimal like in my case to take it to Canon for calibration.

citytrader said:

When I wrote the original post in parallel I have opened a case with Canon, fortunately in my country the Canon support is superb, so I showed to them the issue and they told me to take my camera to Canon support.
Today I received the camera and the autofocus issue was solved and now is spot on, no more issues as showed in the examples.

I recommend people having issues with autofocus even minimal like in my case to take it to Canon for calibration.

Click to expand...

Thank you for that information, that will be something I'll keep in mind! Not that I suspect anything with my R6 II - I can get good focus at times, and still attribute over half of my bad focus to novicitis rather than the machine - but, definitely want to remember to engage Canon if things start to go askew.

I did buy Canon Care with my Camera and I know i says you can send it in once a year for cleaning - not sure if they check other things. Probably a few months before I do that servicing.

Simple Coffee said:

Thank you for that information, that will be something I'll keep in mind! Not that I suspect anything with my R6 II - I can get good focus at times, and still attribute over half of my bad focus to novicitis rather than the machine - but, definitely want to remember to engage Canon if things start to go askew.

I did buy Canon Care with my Camera and I know i says you can send it in once a year for cleaning - not sure if they check other things. Probably a few months before I do that servicing.

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I bought the camera 15 days ago and I was lucky to find the issue fast to take the camera under warranty.

I though that the camera comes calibrated from the factory, but I was wrong...

citytrader said:

R2D2 said:

Yes, even though subject detection/ tracking is certainly a huge advancement, the underlying focusing mechanism is still based on good old contrast detect autofocus (with its accompanying idiosyncrasies). There will be more of them that you'll come across as you use the camera more, guaranteed. Holler back if you have questions!

Happy shooting!

R2

Click to expand...

When I wrote the original post in parallel I have opened a case with Canon, fortunately in my country the Canon support is superb, so I showed to them the issue and they told me to take my camera to Canon support.
Today I received the camera and the autofocus issue was solved and now is spot on, no more issues as showed in the examples.

I recommend people having issues with autofocus even minimal like in my case to take it to Canon for calibration.

Click to expand...

Excellent news! Glad they got that sorted.

Still keep in mind that you'll need to occasionally deal with its AF idiosyncrasies!

Happy shooting!

R2