Canon EOS 6D Mark II

EF mountDSLRFull frame

Can FoCal calibrate my EOS 6D Mark II?

Yes: FoCal calibrates the EOS 6D Mark II automatically.

Fully Auto calibration finds the best AF Microadjustment value for each lens and sets it on the camera by itself, with separate wide and telephoto values for zoom lenses.

And FoCal can check the rest of your kit.

Supported in FoCal 2.5 and later, over Mini-USB or Wi-Fi. Tests: Calibration Check, AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis.

80%

Tuning an EOS 6D Mark II would improve 8 out of 10 lenses.

And 55.7% would improve significantly. From calibration results FoCal users have shared with FoCal IQ.

From FoCal IQ: see the figures

Significant55.7%
Noticeable24.3%
Minimal13.2%

Bought it second-hand?

You don’t know how a used EOS 6D Mark II has been treated. Cameras and lenses get knocked, drift and wear, usually gradually. FoCal shows you where yours stands.

  1. Calibrate it with your lenses

    Any AF Microadjustment values already on the camera were set by someone else, for their lenses. FoCal finds the right value for each of yours.

  2. See how it performs

    AF Consistency shows how repeatable the autofocus is, and Aperture Sharpness how sharp each lens is across its apertures.

  3. Look at the sensor

    Dust Analysis counts the dust spots and shows how much they matter, before you pay for a clean.

  4. Then keep an eye on it

    With FoCal Pro, a regular Kit Health Check tracks every result, so you’ll see if anything changes.

About the Kit Health Check

What you can do

Seven tests for the EOS 6D Mark II

Focus Calibration

Finds the best AF Microadjustment value for each lens and sets it on the EOS 6D Mark II by itself: a full calibration is one click.

Available

Calibration Check

A one-click check of your EOS 6D Mark II and lens. In a minute or so it shows whether your kit is working as it should.

Available

AF Consistency

How repeatable is the EOS 6D Mark II’s autofocus? Defocus between shots in one or both directions and see.

Available

Aperture Sharpness

What happens to sharpness as you change aperture, and which aperture is the sharpest.

Available

MultiTest

A two-dimensional view of the lens: focus position across the aperture range, showing any focus shift.

Available

Stabilisation Test

How much does stabilisation really help? See the quality change as the shutter speed slows.

Available

Dust Analysis

Count the dust spots on the sensor and see how much they matter, before you decide on a clean.

Available

Snapshots

This feature is not yet available for the EOS 6D Mark II.

Not available

Calibration Check (AF System Check) is free in FoCal Mobile.

FoCal IQ statistics

Tuning an EOS 6D Mark II would improve 8 out of 10 lenses

From calibration results FoCal users have shared with FoCal IQ: how far each EOS 6D Mark II and lens was from the best AF Microadjustment value before FoCal tuned it.

EOS 6D Mark II with EF-mount lenses

80%

of lenses would benefit noticeably from FoCal calibration, and 55.7% would improve significantly.

Significant55.7%
Noticeable24.3%
Minimal13.2%

Source: FoCal IQ: EOS 6D Mark II (EF mount), 5,420 results.

Significant: 4 or more AF Microadjustment units. Noticeable: 2 or 3 units. Minimal: no more than 1 unit.
Why your EOS 6D Mark II needs it · an illustrated guideYour DSLR doesn’t measure focus where it takes the pictureHow a DSLR focuses, what goes wrong, how to fix it, and the evidence from FoCal users.Read the guide
How to set it up

Setting up your EOS 6D Mark II for FoCal

Connecting the cameraMini-USB or Wi-Fi
  1. Use a good Mini-USB cable

    FoCal controls the EOS 6D Mark II over USB. Use the cable that came with the camera or a good-quality one, and avoid extension cables: a poor cable is the first thing we suggest changing if FoCal is unreliable.

  2. Or connect over Wi-Fi

    FoCal can also use the EOS 6D Mark II’s Wi-Fi. Turn on the Wi-Fi option for Canon in FoCal’s settings first, then see Connecting over Wi-Fi.

Permissions on macOSfirst connection

When you first connect, allow access to the Photos Library and to Removable Media. FoCal needs both to talk to the camera.

  1. If a permission shows as Denied

    In FoCal, open Help then Settings, expand Advanced and click Reset Application Permissions. Restart FoCal and it will ask again.

Connecting over Wi-FiCanon Wi-Fi

First: turn on the Canon Wi-Fi option in FoCal (Help › Settings, General tab), or FoCal won’t find the camera.

  1. Turn on the camera’s Wi-Fi

    Open the Tools menu, page 4, and choose Communication settings, then Built-in wireless settings. Set Wi-Fi/NFC to Enable.

    Tools menu page 4 with Communication settings selectedCommunication settings with Built-in wireless settings selectedWi-Fi/NFC set to Enable
  2. Choose remote control

    Choose Wi-Fi function, then Remote control (EOS Utility).

    Built-in wireless settings with Wi-Fi function selectedThe Wi-Fi functions, with Remote control (EOS Utility) selected
  3. Easy connection: join the camera’s network

    Choose Easy connection, so the camera makes its own network. It shows the network name (SSID) and password: connect your computer to it, then press OK on the camera.

    The connection method screen with Easy connection selectedThe camera showing its network name and encryption keyThe camera waiting for the computer, with an OK button
  4. Connect in FoCal, then confirm on the camera

    In FoCal, go to the Camera page and click Connect. You must then press OK on the camera. After a moment the camera screen goes black as FoCal takes control.

    The camera asking to confirm the connectionThe OK button on the camera’s confirmation screenThe camera connecting
Advanced: use your own Wi-Fi network instead (infrastructure mode)
  1. Select a network

    On the Connection method page choose Select a network and OK. Pick your home or office network from the list.

  2. Enter the password

    For most home networks choose Enter 8-63 ASCII characters, then enter the network password. The camera shows Busy… please wait. while it connects.

  3. Set the IP address

    On the IP address set page, Auto setting is right for most networks.

  4. Pair with FoCal

    When the camera shows Start pairing devices, press OK. FoCal should find the camera within a few seconds.

More on hotspot (“easy”) and infrastructure connections in the camera network help.

AF Microadjustment on the EOS 6D Mark IIwhere to find it
  1. Open C.FnII-16

    Press MENU, go to the Custom Functions and choose C.FnII-16. The picture may show a different C.Fn number: on the EOS 6D Mark II it’s C.FnII-16.

    Camera menu: the Custom Functions page with AF Microadjustment selected
  2. Choose “Adjust by lens”

    FoCal sets a value for each lens, so select Adjust by lens, then press INFO.

    The AF Microadjustment options, with Adjust by lens selected
  3. Set the value

    For a prime lens, change the value on the screen.

    The adjustment scale for a prime lens

    For a zoom lens, select W (wide) or T (telephoto), as FoCal asks, and press SET. Then change the value with the rear dial.

    The adjustment screen for a zoom lens, with W and T values
  4. Save it

    Press SET to save the value, then MENU to go back. The values you chose are shown.

    The Adjust by lens screen showing the saved values
Your test space5 steps
  1. Choose a solid floor

    Ground-floor rooms vibrate less when people move about or traffic passes, and vibration affects the results.

  2. Fix the target to a wall at lens height

    Keep it flat so it can’t move. A FoCal Hard Target is what we use for all our development and testing.

  3. Light it well and steadily

    Avoid fluorescent and LED lights, which can flicker in a way you can’t see but the camera can, and changeable daylight. FoCal copes with small changes in light, not big ones.

  4. Use a sturdy tripod

    If your tripod has a hook under the centre column, hang something heavy from it. With big lenses, mount the lens’s tripod collar, not the camera.

  5. Set the right distance

    The Target Distance Tool in FoCal tells you how far from the target to be, with or without the camera connected.

Target Setup, FoCal’s guided setup, checks the position, light and settings before a test. More in the FoCal help.

Camera set-up4 steps
  1. Charge the battery to at least half

    Low batteries can make tests fail or the camera behave strangely.

  2. Take off any battery grip

    Grips add vibration on a tripod.

  3. Aim the centre focus point at the target

    Roughly is fine: Target Setup confirms the position.

  4. Cover the eyepiece

    This stops stray light getting in through the viewfinder and changing the exposure.

Camera settings8 steps
  1. Photo mode

    If the EOS 6D Mark II has a photo/video switch, set it to Photo.

  2. Wi-Fi off for USB

    If you’re connecting by USB, turn the EOS 6D Mark II’s Wi-Fi off: it can interfere.

  3. Remove any mode limits

    If the camera lets you limit its options, allow Aperture Priority and Manual, Spot and Matrix/Evaluative metering, and all apertures, shutter speeds and ISO values.

  4. Aperture Priority

    Most FoCal tests use it. FoCal asks if a test needs something else.

  5. One Shot autofocus

    Set the autofocus mode to One Shot: a half-press of the shutter button locks focus and then stops.

  6. A single, centre focus point

    No automatic point selection: you should see one fixed AF point, in the centre.

  7. Focus limiter off

    FoCal may use the lens’s whole focus range, so set any focus limiter on the lens to off or the full range.

  8. Stabilisation off

    Turn off any stabilisation on the lens: it can make the results less accurate.

Specifications

Canon EOS 6D Mark II specifications

Camera model
EOS 6D Mark II
Manufacturer
Canon
FoCal versions
FoCal 2.5 and later
USB type
Mini-USB
Expected shutter life
150,000 actuations
Diffraction-limited aperture
f/9.2
Sensor size
Full frame: 35.9 × 23.9 mm (858.0 mm²)
Sensor resolution
6240 × 4160 pixels (26.0 MP)
Pixel size
5.8µm
Sensor type
Bayer
Lens mount
EF mount
Base ISO
100
Processor
DIGIC 7
Released
June 2017
In-body stabilisation
No
Products

FoCal for the EOS 6D Mark II

With the EOS 6D Mark II, FoCal Plus gives you autofocus calibration and Calibration Check. FoCal Pro adds the rest of the Kit Health Check, with trends over time.

FoCal Plus

Quick and simple autofocus tuning.

  • Autofocus calibration
  • Calibration Check
  • Not included: AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis
  • Not included: Reports, History and trends
FoCal Plus prices

FoCal Pro

Tune, analyse and compare. Everything you need for a Kit Health Check.

  • Everything in FoCal Plus
  • AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis
  • Reports, History and Analysis trends
FoCal Pro prices