So I finally upgraded to the R6 Mark III and now my current glass is feeling a bit tight. I mostly shoot architecture and some landscape stuff when I get out of the city, and honestly, the kit lens just isnt cutting it for those tight interior shots I need for my portfolio. I need something wider but dont want to break the bank since I just dropped a decent chunk of change on the body. Im definitely looking at the RF 14-35mm f/4L because the size is perfect for my bag, but then I keep looking at the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art with the adapter and thinking maybe the extra light is worth the bulk. I have a trip to Chicago coming up in about three weeks so I really need to pull the trigger on something soon. Is the L-series quality worth the trade-off in aperture for the convenience, or should I just suck it up and deal with the adapter weight for that extra stop of light? Im kinda torn between keeping it native and going for the faster glass, what would you guys do?
Late to the party, but ive been shooting architecture for over a decade and honestly, dont overcomplicate it. If you are serious about your portfolio, the native RF glass is a no-brainer for the R6 Mark III. The software corrections in-camera for the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM are magic, saving you hours in Lightroom fixing perspective and edge softness that you will absolutely run into with adapted third-party lenses.
- The 14-35mm range is way more practical for architecture than the 14-24mm. You really need that extra 11mm on the long end for tighter framing without swapping lenses.
- If you are worried about the f/4 aperture, just grab a solid tripod. For architecture, you should be shooting at f/8 or f/11 anyway for depth of field. Save your cash for a good set of filters or maybe a solid Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod instead of chasing that extra stop.
- Check out the reviews on DXOMARK to see how the corner sharpness holds up, but in my experience, the L-series holds its own. Basically, the weight savings and native integration are worth way more than the f/2.8 when youre walking around Chicago all day. Just get the native zoom, learn the lens, and stop stressing about the adapter. The less gear you have to fiddle with, the better your actual photos will be.
Honestly, skip the adapter. For architecture, native glass is just way more reliable with the focus corrections on that body. I've used the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM for years and the sharpness is incredible for interior work. The extra weight of an adapted lens just gets old fast. Stick to the native RF lens and save your back. You wont regret the convenience when youre shooting all day in Chicago.
Coming back to this, you should definitely check out the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. It is super tiny and honestly such a bargain! While it lacks the zoom versatility, it is sharp enough for architecture if you correct the distortion in post. For a trip to Chicago, carrying that around instead of a heavy adapted lens is a dream. It saves you so much cash for more gear too!