R6: Closing Touchscreen moves focus box to top left Locked

Just received my first Canon camera today - the R6. This camera is amazing - LOVE how it feels in my hand and I'm excited to learn how to use it. However it seems I've discovered a mfg defect in my particular copy that's driving me crazy: if I close the display monitor shut (display side closed, against the body) with ANYTHING other than a very gentle push, the focus point shifts to the upper left (sometimes bottom left) of the screen. The only fix is to disable touch control. Then my focus point stays put (i.e. wherever I last left it).

This isn't an issue of my finger or nose accidentally touching the screen. I've set my focus point where I want them (I've enabled "orientation linked AF point" so I have 2 focus points - one for landscape and one for portrait orientation). But if I open out the display monitor and then shut it, 25% of the time the focus point will shift to top (sometimes bottom) left of screen. Unless I'm VERY gentle with the shutting motion (ridiculously so).

I don't want to return this camera - I just got it! If I return it, it will be for an exchange - this behavior has to be an anomaly. I don't think I want to give up the excellent touch control features - which is the only fix. Unless something's going on that I can't figure out, I am thinking an exchange is in order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

CoolHandLu wrote:

Just received my first Canon camera today - the R6. This camera is amazing - LOVE how it feels in my hand and I'm excited to learn how to use it. However it seems I've discovered a mfg defect in my particular copy that's driving me crazy: if I close the display monitor shut (display side closed, against the body) with ANYTHING other than a very gentle push, the focus point shifts to the upper left (sometimes bottom left) of the screen. The only fix is to disable touch control. Then my focus point stays put (i.e. wherever I last left it).

This isn't an issue of my finger or nose accidentally touching the screen. I've set my focus point where I want them (I've enabled "orientation linked AF point" so I have 2 focus points - one for landscape and one for portrait orientation). But if I open out the display monitor and then shut it, 25% of the time the focus point will shift to top (sometimes bottom) left of screen. Unless I'm VERY gentle with the shutting motion (ridiculously so).

I don't want to return this camera - I just got it! If I return it, it will be for an exchange - this behavior has to be an anomaly. I don't think I want to give up the excellent touch control features - which is the only fix. Unless something's going on that I can't figure out, I am thinking an exchange is in order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

Which lens???  I had some strange focus shifts but only when I had my Sigma 24mm Art lens. I thought i was going nuts the focus would switch when I moved the lcd or what ever. I thought I had a faulty camera but it was lens specific.

Hi Steve - kit lens, 24-105 F4.  Lens seems rock solid.  The behavior is definitely related to closing the rear monitor display.  Honestly, if there was a way to just turn off touch focus (but keep the other touch display features enabled) I'd be fine - I don't use touch focus.  But it seems it's all or nothing - full touch sensitive features or none.

BK

While it's true I generally have the screen.closed (to keep the glass from getting scratched), I will open it on occasion - especially if I'm showing a client the photos I just took, or to change a setting occasionally.  I don't think that's doing anything "weird" - it's what the screen was designed for, after all.  What IS weird is having your focus point shifted via the act of closing the screen.

I was just hoping there was a setting I wasn't aware of that might make this issue moot.  For instance, if there was a way to turn off touch-focus but leave on the other touch functions of the screen.  That would be ideal.  But I don't think that's possible.

At the end of the day it's not that big of a deal - I've done business with B&H for years and I'm sure an exchange won't be that troublesome.  As I said earlier, this camera rocks!

BK

Maybe I'm not being clear - sorry if that's the case.  My "use case" is pretty simple - I shoot road races (runners), and so the position of my focus points on the screen is paramount importance.  Sometimes things get hectic and I need my focus points to stay put.   As I stated, I shoot with the screen door closed facing inward (so as not to scratch the glass), and I shoot exclusively using the EVF.  I occasionally I do flip out the screen, and upon closing the screen the focus point inexplicably shifts about 25-30% of the time.

I DID find a work-around - using the "lock" button, I've set up the camera so that lock button disables touch focus.  I can still use the screen to change settings, just not focus (unless I toggle the "lock" button).

BBR5 - I checked and that area of the camera that the rear screen folds into is clean as a whistle.

I phoned B&H, got the all-clear for a return RMA and I've got a replacement camera showing up tomorrow; for $2,500 I shouldn't need a work-around for something that shouldn't happen in the first place.  It will be interesting to see if the issue persists in the new body.

DIdn't mean to ruffle feathers or annoy anyone here.  Again, I love this camera - I wouldn't have ordered a replacement if I didn't.

Thanks again for the feedback.  Appreciate it.

Best,

Brian

I have a habit of touching the rear screen with my nose and moving the focus point. I get around this by pushing the lock button on top. It is easily unocked when I need to do so.

David

r6 shooter wrote:

yeah lock button might work too, but why not just leave the screen closed the entire time and set the AF point with the mini-joystick? also please report back if your exchange "fixes" it. i'm curious if it'll just happen again.

Roger that R6 - I'm curious too!  (lol).  And I do leave the screen closed, screen down, the vast majority of the time - using my EVF to shoot and the mini-joystick to change focus points.  It's just that on the occasion that I DO open the screen door (for whatever reason - there could be lots of them), shutting the screen door shouldn't change the focus point.  It's that specific behavior that I'm hoping is corrected in the replacement body.

I'm having the same problem with my R5 and always wondered wether I inadvertently touched the upper left corner of the screen while gripping the door at its lower corner.

Of course there are many possibilities to avoid this annoying behaviour but would prefer it not to occur at all.

CoolHandLu wrote:

r6 shooter wrote:

yeah lock button might work too, but why not just leave the screen closed the entire time and set the AF point with the mini-joystick? also please report back if your exchange "fixes" it. i'm curious if it'll just happen again.

Roger that R6 - I'm curious too! (lol). And I do leave the screen closed, screen down, the vast majority of the time - using my EVF to shoot and the mini-joystick to change focus points. It's just that on the occasion that I DO open the screen door (for whatever reason - there could be lots of them), shutting the screen door shouldn't change the focus point. It's that specific behavior that I'm hoping is corrected in the replacement body.

Have you tried restricting the Touch & Drag portion of the screen to a particular quadrant?

R2

CoolHandLu wrote:

Just received my first Canon camera today - the R6. This camera is amazing - LOVE how it feels in my hand and I'm excited to learn how to use it. However it seems I've discovered a mfg defect in my particular copy that's driving me crazy: if I close the display monitor shut (display side closed, against the body) with ANYTHING other than a very gentle push, the focus point shifts to the upper left (sometimes bottom left) of the screen. The only fix is to disable touch control. Then my focus point stays put (i.e. wherever I last left it).

This isn't an issue of my finger or nose accidentally touching the screen. I've set my focus point where I want them (I've enabled "orientation linked AF point" so I have 2 focus points - one for landscape and one for portrait orientation). But if I open out the display monitor and then shut it, 25% of the time the focus point will shift to top (sometimes bottom) left of screen. Unless I'm VERY gentle with the shutting motion (ridiculously so).

I don't want to return this camera - I just got it! If I return it, it will be for an exchange - this behavior has to be an anomaly. I don't think I want to give up the excellent touch control features - which is the only fix. Unless something's going on that I can't figure out, I am thinking an exchange is in order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

My R5 constantly ends up with the focus button in a corner position, and many others have noted the same problem (search this forum). It is annoying but not a big deal. I have no idea why. I just assumed that I accidentally touched something on the screen. I think you will find the replacement camera you are getting (based on your other comments) will likely have the same issue.

There are several ways to address (live with) the issue:

• The lock button can be programmed to block touching  (Wrench Yellow Menu Tab 4). My lock button is programmed to stop "Touch" and the control ring. (You have already found this based on your other comments). Aside: I find the control ring to almost be a liability as it is all over the place on different lenses and thus gets turned when you meant to be the turning zoom or focus rings.
• The "SET button" (middle of the back wheel) will return the focus point to the center. I almost reflexively hit the SET button these days just to be safe.
• If you press the joystick in the middle without tilting it, it will also return the focus to the center. 
• Disable the touch screen, but nobody will want to do this in normal shooting.

R2D2 wrote:

CoolHandLu wrote:

r6 shooter wrote:

yeah lock button might work too, but why not just leave the screen closed the entire time and set the AF point with the mini-joystick? also please report back if your exchange "fixes" it. i'm curious if it'll just happen again.

Roger that R6 - I'm curious too! (lol). And I do leave the screen closed, screen down, the vast majority of the time - using my EVF to shoot and the mini-joystick to change focus points. It's just that on the occasion that I DO open the screen door (for whatever reason - there could be lots of them), shutting the screen door shouldn't change the focus point. It's that specific behavior that I'm hoping is corrected in the replacement body.

Have you tried restricting the Touch & Drag portion of the screen to a particular quadrant?

R2

Hi R2D2 - funny you should ask.  That was one of the solutions I tested out, on the theory that if only a portion of the rear screen were touch sensitive it would mitigate against this behavior.  Sadly, such is not the case.  Same behavior.  So here's to hoping tomorrow's arrival of the new body resolves the issue (which is, admittedly, not a huge issue - but vexing nevertheless).

Karl_Guttag wrote:

My R5 constantly ends up with the focus button in a corner position, and many others have noted the same problem (search this forum). It is annoying but not a big deal. I have no idea why. I just assumed that I accidentally touched something on the screen. I think you will find the replacement camera you are getting (based on your other comments) will likely have the same issue.

There are several ways to address (live with) the issue:

• The lock button can be programmed to block touching (Wrench Yellow Menu Tab 4). My lock button is programmed to stop "Touch" and the control ring. (You have already found this based on your other comments). Aside: I find the control ring to almost be a liability as it is all over the place on different lenses and thus gets turned when you meant to be the turning zoom or focus rings.
• The "SET button" (middle of the back wheel) will return the focus point to the center. I almost reflexively hit the SET button these days just to be safe.
• If you press the joystick in the middle without tilting it, it will also return the focus to the center.
• Disable the touch screen, but nobody will want to do this in normal shooting.

Karl - thank you (and also Phylloxera) for confirming this issue.  Also, your work-arounds make a lot of sense.  And I agree with you re: the Control Ring observation.  I think the lock button, disabling Touch focus, is the most straightforward solution that addresses the specific issue.

Brian

CoolHandLu wrote:

Just received my first Canon camera today - the R6. This camera is amazing - LOVE how it feels in my hand and I'm excited to learn how to use it. However it seems I've discovered a mfg defect in my particular copy that's driving me crazy: if I close the display monitor shut (display side closed, against the body) with ANYTHING other than a very gentle push, the focus point shifts to the upper left (sometimes bottom left) of the screen. The only fix is to disable touch control. Then my focus point stays put (i.e. wherever I last left it).

This isn't an issue of my finger or nose accidentally touching the screen. I've set my focus point where I want them (I've enabled "orientation linked AF point" so I have 2 focus points - one for landscape and one for portrait orientation). But if I open out the display monitor and then shut it, 25% of the time the focus point will shift to top (sometimes bottom) left of screen. Unless I'm VERY gentle with the shutting motion (ridiculously so).

I don't want to return this camera - I just got it! If I return it, it will be for an exchange - this behavior has to be an anomaly. I don't think I want to give up the excellent touch control features - which is the only fix. Unless something's going on that I can't figure out, I am thinking an exchange is in order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

I believe you can adjust the sensitivity of the touch if I'm not mistaken. But really, I have my joystick on the R5 setup if I push on it it resets focus point to the center. I use eye focus servo with back button focus. I rarely use the LCD to touch focus, maybe if I'm shooting really low and don't want to lay on the ground. I usually don't flip the screen either, haven't had an issue yet with scratches. I think they have a glass protector on the LCD from factory.

Anyhow, charge up the battery, sit in your favorite chair plan on a few hours and go through every menu screen there is. If you're not sure what something is or does, stop and look it up in the manual. These things are so customizable it's getting insane. But most of the menu options are set it and forget it. The items that I may change like human vs animal eye focus, card formatting, battery health, bracketing, etc I put in my custom menu. My shoe mount flash or my trigger for studio strobes I set to my M-Fn button so its a quick push to get into my flash/trigger menu on the back of the camera to set HSS or first curtain sync to TTL/Man, FEC, etc.

Dont get discouraged yet, it's a lot to learn but once you get things figured out and customized to your style, you will have a hard time wiping the smile off your face while out shooting with it. The R6 is a solid camera.

Are you saying the only solution is to turn touch screen off or the ability to move focus by touching the screen?   If the latter, I turned that off because it was simply too easy to move it with my nose or finger or something else.  I always move the focus point with the pointer button, I have no idea what the damn thing is called.     I don't think there's a problem with your unit.

Also I take exception to the person who suggested you leave the screen open all the time.  I don't want to scratch it.

I have one of the very first production R6s so I've been using it for quite some time.  I actually review images and change menu settings almost exclusively through the viewfinder.  It's one of the features of mirrorless that I truly enjoy.  You'll see what I mean when you're chimping on a bright sunny day and you can do it through the viewfinder.

Think about it you can make almost every adjustment to the camera without ever taking your eye away from the EVF.

Hi PhotosFlight and DanW - thank you both SO MUCH for your kind words of encouragement.  This is truly a marvel of a camera - it's speed and overall responsiveness is beyond expectations.  The sound of that shutter - like butter!  I'm looking forward to digging in and setting this up for my shooting style.  Replacement body arrives tomorrow (Friday).  We'll see if that pesky moving focus point remains - either way, I'm keeping one of these bodies and a Canonite I will be!

BK