just got my r5 for an iceland trip next month and im so hyped! ive been looking at the rf 15-35mm vs the 14-35mm f4. people say the f4 has bad distortion but the 15-35 is just so heavy for long hikes and i only have about $2000 to spend. what lens would you actually recommend for huge landscapes?
Honestly, just grab the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM. People freak out about the software correction, but it works perfectly in Lightroom! I love it because its way lighter for hiking than the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM. Iceland is windy and steep, so every gram counts. Plus, that extra 1mm on the wide end is amazing for those massive vistas. It is such a solid choice!
Honestly, i was super let down by the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM because that distortion is actually pretty annoying for the price. If youre hiking iceland, the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM feels like a brick in your bag...
- try the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- use the leftover cash for a solid tripod Saves you money and your back wont hurt as much lol.
Building on the earlier suggestion, i really have to weigh in here because Iceland weather is absolutely nuts! I get why some people suggest the cheaper stm glass but if you're rocking an R5 you really want the weather sealing of an L lens. Honestly i'd go with the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM every single time over the heavy 2.8 for hiking. Its not just about the weight tho... the reliability in the rain and mist is amazing! I've used it in some pretty sketchy coastal winds and it holds up like a tank. Sure the software fixes the distortion but who cares when the final shot looks this good? Its well under your 2000 budget too so you can grab some filters or a spare battery. Love that extra 14mm width for the big waterfalls too! Seriously dont overthink the distortion... the lightness is a total game changer when you're 5 miles into a trail.
Bump - same question here
> people say the f4 has bad distortion but the 15-35 is just so heavy for long hikes Stumbled upon this discussion and i feel your pain so much! Like someone mentioned, that 15-35 is a total monster to carry. I went through the exact same struggle last year when i was prepping for a big trip. Its so frustrating that we spend thousands on a light mirrorless body like the Canon EOS R5 just to end up with a lens that feels like a literal dumbbell... i spent weeks obsessing over charts and honestly it just made me want to scream because there is no perfect middle ground. Either you deal with distortion on the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM or you break your back with the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM. It totally sucks that picking a lens has to be this hard! Quick tips for the trip:
- Bring way more batteries than you think, the cold drains them.
- Get a dedicated rain cover for your bag. Iceland is gonna be amazing tho! Have the best time!
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