Re: "^ This. Also, honestly im kinda bummed that..."

• I totally get that frustration with the cheaper glass! Honestly tho, if you want to play it safe and get something that will never let you down during that reunion, you gotta look at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. It is seriously an amazing piece of gear! Since youre heading to Florida, you really need to think about the weather. That "L" series red ring isnt just for show, it means it has weather sealing which is a total lifesaver when the humidity hits or if you get a random sunshower. I always tell people to buy for the worst-case scenario because gear failure is the absolute worst. I love it because the f/4 stays the same no matter how much you zoom in. This is huge! With those cheaper variable aperture lenses, your settings keep changing and it can be super stressful when youre just trying to capture a quick moment with your family. It fits right in your $1200 budget! It is basically the ultimate "set it and forget it" lens. You get wide shots for the big group photos and enough zoom for some fantastic portraits. Trust me, spending the money now for the reliability of native professional glass is so worth it. You wont be worrying about lens errors or soft corners... it just works every single time! Youre gonna have such a blast with that R6 III, it is such a fantastic choice!!

Man, you picked an amazing camera!! The R6 Mark III is an absolute monster for family stuff. Since you have $1200, you have a few killer options that will make those Florida photos pop without driving you crazy swapping glass in the humidity. I have been shooting Canon for over 15 years and here is exactly what I would look at for a one-lens setup:

• Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
• This is the lens I use 90% of the time. Its super sharp, built like a tank, and that constant f/4 aperture is fantastic for blurring out the background during portraits. Plus, the weather sealing is a total lifesaver when those random Florida rain showers hit! It might be right at the edge of your budget, but it is worth every single penny for the pro results.
• Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM
• If you want crazy reach to catch the kids playing from across a park, this is the one. It is incredibly versatile and basically covers every focal length you could ever need in one package. Honestly, the image quality is surprisingly good for a superzoom, though it isnt as fast in low light as the L glass. If I were in your shoes right now? Get the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM immediately. It is the gold standard for a reason and that R6 sensor deserves the best glass you can afford. You will love the colors and the autofocus speed... it just works every time!

^ This. Also, honestly im kinda bummed that the native glass for these bodies is so pricey right now. I had some real issues with the cheaper kit options when I first switched over. I tried to make the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM work because it was light, but man, that f/7.1 aperture at the long end is a total buzzkill for indoor shots. Its just not as good as expected when the sun starts going down... total nightmare for family dinners. I eventually bit the bullet and grabbed the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Its usually $1299 but you might find an open box deal to hit your $1200 limit. The constant f/4 is basically non-negotiable for versatility. I tried the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM too, but the vignetting and distortion were super annoying to fix in post. Just my two cents... dont settle for the variable aperture stuff or youll just end up frustrated.