How To Solve Canon R5 Aperture Problems

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Canon R5 Aperture Problems

Canon EOS R5 is a camera that excels in many areas.

It has a 45-megapixel image sensor, captures full-res RAW images at up to 20fps, has an impressive Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, and shoots 8K (4320p) video, among other features.

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However, despite its video features, the EOS R5 is considered to be primarily a stills camera. The next-gen AF system and fast 12fps and 20fps burst shooting modes mean the EOS R5 is just as comfortable during the day as it is at night.

Still, the EOS R5 might sometimes struggle with regard to its aperture.

With either too much light coming in or too little light coming in. That said, let’s take a look at some of the aperture problems other photographers have encountered on the R5.

Aperture ‘L’ Error

By default, Canon assigns aperture control to the back-of-camera dial, while shutter speeds are controlled by the main dial behind the shutter release switch.

These controls can be changed, so there is a chance that you could be seeing an ‘L’ message when you use other camera controls.

However, when you see this message, look for the ‘Quick Control Dial’ to see if it’s locked. If it is locked, slide to unlock it, and there you go; the aperture, as well as other camera controls, are working as they should be.

It should be noted that not all uses of this locking mechanism are accidental. Sometimes, you might want to deadbolt the controls if you have set the exact aperture you’d like to use so that you don’t inadvertently change it.

The lock can come in handy where an erratic exposure adjustment could mess up your entire shoot. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use it when you need to.

Until then, if you find that your EOS R5 strangely won’t allow you to change the aperture and it’s showing the ‘L’ message on the top screen, rest assured that your camera isn’t faulty; you just need to unlock the dial on its back.

Aperture Randomly Closing with Sigma Lenses

If you’re using Sigma lenses on your EOS R5 and the aperture begins to shut itself to a specific value randomly, it’s obvious that the resulting images will be under-exposed.

In this instance, the firmware will most likely be the culprit. When Canon launched the EOS R, many people had to update the firmware with the USB adapter that Sigma sold them alongside the firmware updates on their website.

So be sure you have the latest firmware on your Sigma lenses if you’re using them with the EOS R5. Many people use Sigma lenses on the R5 and haven’t reported any issues after effecting the required firmware updates on their lenses.

Large Apertures Have Whitish Photos

The largest apertures allow tons of light to come in. Sometimes, your EOS R5 will fail to adjust the ISO low enough or the shutter speed fast enough to compensate.

However, you can check your camera settings or change your location to a darker one to see if you can bring the ISO down. Alternatively, you can raise your camera’s settings to a slightly smaller aperture like f/5.6.

Overexposed Images

Overexposed images may happen if your aperture fails to dial down during exposure. This might be caused by a broken spring, faulty aperture ring or sticky blades.

Sticky blades are common in old lenses, which use oil on their blades. When the oil hardens, the blades will not close quickly or won’t close at all.

A sticky aperture ring might be caused by leaving your EOS R5 in high temperatures for extended periods, such as in your vehicle on a hot day. The only way to correct a sticky blade is by visiting a service center since the lens needs to be disassembled.

Soft Images on Small Apertures

It’s recommended that you never use small apertures on the EOS R5 whenever possible, and you might ask why.

It’s because small apertures bring about an optical phenomenon called diffraction (where the hard corners of your aperture twist light entering the lens.)

Bending or twisting happens at any aperture setting; however, it’s more evident in smaller apertures, causing a fuzzy appearance in your images. One way to correct this is to lower your aperture by a half or one full stop.

Final Thought

To sum it all if you’re a Canon EOS R5 owner or user, you might encounter several aperture problems. But don’t be fazed; some of these issues you can fix on your own by adjusting settings, and if you’re unable to, take the camera to a service center for repairs.

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