What is the absolute best wide angle landscape lens for the new Canon R1 because honestly im starting to feel like I made a huge mistake buying this beast of a body for my hiking trips. I know the R1 is supposed to be the flagship for sports and stuff but I really wanted that build quality for the crazy weather I deal with when I'm out in the mountains and now I'm just struggling to find glass that makes the sensor sing without breaking my back even more than the body already does.
I moved up from my old 5D Mark IV and I thought the transition would be easier but my old EF 16-35mm feels so clunky with the adapter and the autofocus is doing weird things in low light at sunrise so I am ready to just trade it in and get something native. I am heading out to the Dolomites in about three weeks so I need to make a decision fast because I have been planning this trip for over a year and I dont want to be second guessing my gear while I am standing on a cliffside.
I have about 2500 bucks left in the budget for a lens and I was looking at the RF 15-35mm but I hear mixed things about the corner sharpness on the high end bodies so maybe a prime is better? I just need something that can handle the mist and the grit and actually deliver the detail this camera is capable of... anyone actually using the R1 for landscapes or did I just buy way too much camera for no reason?
In my experience, you should basically just get the Canon RF 10-20mm f/4L IS STM. I've tried many wide zooms and this one is a total game changer for hiking because it's way lighter than the bulky f/2.8 glass. Since the R1 is 24MP, you wont even notice the minor corner issues people gripe about on higher res bodies. It is built like a tank and handles mountain grit perfectly.
Unfortunately the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is soft in corners.
- Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM: sharper, lighter.
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM: way too clunky.
Found this thread today. TL;DR: Stick with the native Canon L-series zooms. You bought that R1 for the tank-like build, so you really need the pro glass to match that weather sealing. I have been very satisfied with how their high-end glass handles the grit. It works well and wont fail you. Just get the best native wide zoom that fits your budget and youll be happy. Use the leftover cash for some good filters.
Just caught this thread. A very similar transition happened to me when I finally retired my old DSLR setup. Leaving my legacy glass behind was a tough call since it had been my workhorse for a decade, but that adapter always felt like a liability in the field. The constant worry about moisture or grit getting into the connection points during heavy storms was honestly exhausting. Moving to a native setup right before a major expedition turned out to be the right move. That peace of mind where the weather sealing is a single, cohesive unit is invaluable. I have been extremely satisfied with how the native glass handles the elements and I am very happy with the reliability so far. Everything just works perfectly. Not a single autofocus hiccup or communication error has occurred since I made the jump. Having a system designed to work as one piece really changed my perspective on shooting in harsh conditions. Its just one less variable to stress about when you are out on a trail.
