Best versatile lens for the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on the R5 Mark II after literally years of shooting on my old 5D Mark IV and honestly I am so stressed out right now. I spent way more than I planned on the body and now I am looking at these RF lens prices and just shaking my head. I have a big trip to Iceland coming up in exactly three weeks and I really just want ONE lens that can stay on the camera the whole time because I am hiking a lot and dont want to be swapping glass in the wind and rain.

I spent hours reading reviews and everyone says get the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L but its so freaking heavy and I am already over budget by like five hundred bucks. Then I see people swear by the RF 24-105mm f/4 L because of the extra reach but then half the comments say the image quality isnt worthy of the 45mp sensor or it sucks as soon as the sun goes down. Is the f/4 actually that much worse for landscapes? Or should I be looking at that crazy 24-240mm superzoom? Some guy on a forum said the 24-240 is surprisingly sharp but that feels wrong to put on a pro body right? I just need something versatile that wont make me regret spending five grand on a camera body... what is the move here?

Jasonarbit · Accepted Answer

^ This. Also, I think you're overthinking the f/4 vs f/2.8 thing for your trip. For Iceland landscapes, you're gonna be stopped down to f/8 or f/11 most of the time anyway to get that depth of field. Paying for f/2.8 just means carrying extra weight that you wont even use during the day. I've been incredibly satisfied with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and it's plenty sharp for that 45mp sensor. People talk about pixel peeping but in real world usage it holds up great. The low light argument is kinda outdated now too. With the R5 Mark II, the high ISO performance is so clean that jumping from f/2.8 to f/4 isn't the dealbreaker it used to be. Plus, the IBIS is so insane on that body that you can handhold really slow shutter speeds when the sun starts to dip. If you're stressed about the cost, definitely look for a white box or refurbished version of that lens. It saves a few hundred bucks and you get the exact same performance. Another move if you still have your old glass is the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It works perfectly and lets you use your 5D lenses without any loss in quality. It's basically the best way to save your budget for the actual trip. Just make sure you have a decent rain cover because Iceland weather is no joke...

ScottTig · Answer

Look, if you are hiking through Iceland, you really need to be careful about weight and weather sealing. I would suggest sticking with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM because it is probably your best bet despite what some pixel-peepers say online. I have shot with it on high-res bodies and the sharpness is totally fine for landscapes where youre mostly at f/8 or f/11 anyway. A few things to keep in mind tho:

The f/4 might struggle if youre chasing northern lights without a tripod.

Weather sealing on the L series is non-negotiable for those Icelandic waterfalls.

Avoid the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM because its not sealed and the distortion is wild at 24mm. Honestly, the 24-105 is the safest move for a one-lens trip. Just dont expect miracles in low light compared to the f/2.8... but your back will thank you on those hikes.

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Best versatile lens for the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II?