I finally treated myself to a Canon EOS R5, and I'm absolutely blown away by the resolution! However, I’m struggling to pick that one 'goldilocks' lens that can stay on my camera 90% of the time. I do a mix of travel photography, family portraits, and occasional landscapes, so I need something versatile. I’ve been looking at the RF 24-105mm f/4L because of the range, but I'm worried I might miss the faster aperture of a prime or the f/2.8 zoom for low light. Since the R5 is such a high-end body, I don't want to compromise on sharpness. What would you recommend as the best all-around performer that really does justice to this sensor?
In my experience, I’ve had issues with the f/2.8 zoom’s weight—realy not as good as expected for long travel days. 1. Buy a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (around $950). It’s the best bang-for-buck for that high-resolution 45MP sensor.
2. Grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM ($170) for low light. basically, ur saving $1.5k while keeping that L-series sharpness... gl!! 👍
To add to the point above: the 24-105mm is definitely the smart choice for most stuff, but you might want to consider a few things before you commit 100%. I have been using this exact setup for a while and here is some real-world advice:
- Be careful about the weight balance. The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is solid but it can get a bit front-heavy after a few hours. Maybe look into a hand strap if you dont want a full neck strap.
- If you really miss that shallow depth of field for portraits, I suggest grabbing a Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM. It is super light, costs around $400, and the macro capability is a lifesaver for random detail shots during travel.
- Make sure to invest in a decent protector. I usually go with the Hoya 77mm NXT Plus UV Filter because putting cheap glass in front of an R5 sensor is basically a crime lol. Honestly, the f/4 is your workhorse but having one tiny, fast prime in your pocket makes a huge difference when the sun goes down or you want that blurry background look...
TIL! Thanks for sharing
honestly if you got the r5 you gotta feed that sensor good glass! but you really dont need to drop like $2,700 on the big 2.8 zoom to get amazing shots. ive been shooting canon for decades and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is easily my favorite walkaround lens ever. the range is just perfect for travel and family stuff. since the r5 has such insane ibis and the high iso performance is totally fantastic, that f/4 aperture really isnt the limitation it used to be on older dslrs. you save a massive amount of money and your neck wont be killing you by noon!! if you are worried about low light or portraits just grab a Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for your pocket... its super cheap but the quality is wild for the price. you're gonna have a blast with that combo!
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Great info, saved!
@Reply #6 - good point! Having owned the Canon EOS R5 since launch day, I totally agree that the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is the most logical partner for this body. The versatility is just amazing and the results are consistently fantastic! However, after two years of heavy use with this exact kit, I want to add a serious word of caution regarding protection and maintenance. When you are shooting in dusty or humid environments, please do not neglect the front element. While the L-series build quality is fantastic, I have seen several people ruin their rendering by using cheap, low-quality UV filters. On a 45MP sensor, putting a poor piece of glass in front of your lens will absolutely destroy the micro-contrast and sharpness you paid for! It is a massive mistake to spend thousands on a high-end body and then bottleneck the optics with a twenty-dollar filter. Also, be extremely mindful of the extending barrel when zooming. If you are shooting in sandy or salty coastal conditions, always wipe the inner barrel with a clean cloth before retracting it back into the housing. I have seen grit get sucked into the internal mechanisms of these telescoping zooms, which leads to a very crunchy zoom ring and an expensive repair bill. Take care of that glass and it will serve you well for a decade!
