Im heading to Japan next month for a two-week trip and need a solid one-lens setup for my R6 Mark II. I want to travel light so Im torn between the RF 24-105mm f/4L and the RF 24-240mm.
My budget is max $1200. Im leaning towards the 24-105 f/4 because of the weather sealing and better image quality, but that extra reach on the 24-240 seems so useful for street shots and landscape stuff when I cant get close.
Which one would you pick for a single-lens travel setup?
To add to the point above:
- Buy refurbished to save cash!
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM keeps gear dry and safe, love it!
I got caught in a sudden downpour in Kyoto last year and was so glad I had a sealed setup. For Japan, I would suggest the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. You might want to consider the weather sealing as a crucial safety net. The zoom on the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is nice, but be careful risking your expensive R6 II in wet weather.
Re: "I got caught in a sudden downpour in..." - yeah, weather sealing is a big deal over there. Japan gets some crazy sudden rain. Saw this thread earlier and wanted to drop some technical specs that might help you decide. Both have compromises but they are decent options depending on what you value. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Aperture drops: The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM slows down to f/6.3 very quickly as you zoom. On your R6 II, you will have to crank the ISO in low light, like inside temples or at night in Tokyo. The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM stays at f/4, which is much safer for low light.
- Software corrections: The 24-240mm has massive barrel distortion at 24mm that is corrected in-camera or in Lightroom. It works fine, but it stretches the corners and reduces corner sharpness.
- Weight and balance: The L lens is heavier but feels more balanced on the R6 Mark II body. For resources, I highly recommend checking out the image comparison tool on The Digital Picture website. They let you compare the test chart crops of the 24-105mm f/4L against the 24-240mm side-by-side at different focal lengths. Also, you could rent both for a weekend from a site like Lensrentals to see which focal range you actually prefer. Let me know if you want to know how they balance on the R6 body, can share more details if you need.
Would love to know this too
