I'm heading to Japan next month and finally upgrading my kit with an R6 Mark II but I am totally stuck on which lens to bring as my main one. I spent hours reading reviews on the RF 24-105mm f/4L and everyone says it is the gold standard but then I saw the 24-240mm which has way more reach for street stuff.
I'm worried the f/4 is gonna be too bulky for walking 20k steps a day and maybe the 24-240 is too dark for dinner shots and neon signs at night? My budget is roughly $1100 so I cant really get both right now. Is the f/4 really worth the extra weight for a travel setup or should I just go for the massive zoom range?...
In my experience, reliability should be your top priority for a trip to Japan. Ive tried many different lenses over the years and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is really the only choice that makes sense for a primary lens. It is built to last and the weather sealing provides a level of safety you wont get with consumer-grade glass. Japan can be unpredictable with rain, and you dont want to be babysitting your gear when you should be enjoying the sights. The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM offers great range, but that variable aperture is a major drawback for evening street photography. Once you zoom in, it gets way too dark. The L series maintains a constant f/4 which is much more predictable for the R6 Mark II sensor to handle. Tbh, the weight difference is negligible when you consider the peace of mind you get from pro-grade equipment. I always prefer the safer bet over a lens that might struggle in low light. Quick tip: If you are worried about those dark dinner shots, just pack a Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM in your pocket. It is tiny, cheap, and handles the night stuff perfectly. TL;DR: Choose the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. It is the safer, more reliable choice for travel because of the weather sealing and consistent f/4 aperture.
