What is the absolute best all-around lens I should be looking at for the R5 Mark II that can actually keep up with this new sensor? I just pulled the trigger on the body after years of shooting with my trusty 5D Mark IV but honestly the sheer speed of the autofocus and the 45MP resolution has me worried my old EF glass even with the adapter just isnt gonna cut it for sharpness. I have a massive two-week gig in London starting on the 15th so I am in a major rush to get this sorted. My budget is right around $2,500 though I could maybe stretch it if the glass is really that much better. I keep looking at the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L because its the classic choice but then I see the 24-105mm f/4 and think maybe the extra reach and the IBIS on this body would make the f/4 okay? I do a mix of street photography and high-end corporate events so I need something that wont fail me when the light gets low but I also dont want to be carrying a literal brick around my neck for 12 hours straight. Is the 28-70 f2 actually worth the insane weight or am I just overthinking the tech specs here? Really need to make a decision by Wednesday so I can get some practice time in...
^ This. Also, I had issues with the f/2.8's price on my last London gig. It wasn't as good as expected. The cheaper Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is way better.
Been thinking about your London trip since earlier today. A similar transition happened to me when I upgraded to high-res bodies. Carrying the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM for big events was a mistake... after hour six my wrist was shot and my work suffered from the fatigue. It is a technical masterpiece, but definitely be careful about carrying that brick for 12 hours straight. If you want to stay under budget and keep your mobility, I would suggest:
- The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is plenty sharp for the 45MP sensor and the IBIS helps immensely.
- Use the savings to grab a Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM for those dark street shots.
- Check for refurbished units to save a few hundred bucks. Make sure to test your EF glass before you go. Older motors sometimes dont sync perfectly with the new high-speed tracking.
This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖
In my experience, lighting is usually the dealbreaker tho. For those corporate gigs, are you mostly gonna be in dark ballrooms or well-lit halls?
Coming back to this after thinking about your timeline. If you want reliability on a professional gig like that, there are really only a couple of things that matter:
- Stick to the native Canon L-series line. The weather sealing and build quality are the only things that wont fail you when you are hitting the pavement for 12 hours.
- Dont even bother with third party glass for the R5 II right now, the autofocus communication just isnt as seamless for high-speed stuff. Honestly tho, make sure you have a solid pair of waterproof boots for London. Last time I did a corporate gig there, I wore some standard dress shoes and my feet were basically destroyed by day three because of the constant drizzle and walking. Spent more time looking for a pharmacy for blister pads than actually shooting the venue. Anyway, just get whatever professional zoom from Canon fits your budget and youll be fine.
