Honestly so over carrying three different primes everywhere it is driving me insane. Just got an R6 and I thought I would love the glass I had but it is so heavy and I keep missing shots because I am swapping lenses like a maniac. Im actually really stoked to finally find one single lens that stays on the camera because I am heading to Maui for a wedding in three weeks and dont want to be that guy with the giant bag.
- Budget is around $1200
- Decent in low light
- Not a total brick
- Sharp for portraits
Is there a good all-around RF lens that doesnt cost a fortune?
I missed a Maui sunset while swapping lenses once. Unfortunately, I had issues with f/4 in low light.
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is basically your only option.
Just catching up on this thread, but like someone mentioned, that f/4 zoom is really the best bet. I spent hours looking at MTF charts on The Digital Picture before buying mine and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM performs way better than the old EF versions, especially with edge sharpness at 24mm. Since the R6 sensor handles noise so well, shooting at f/4 in lower light isnt a huge deal... you can just bump your ISO to 6400 and let the IBIS do the heavy lifting. I have been super satisfied with the Nano USM focus speed too, it basically never hunts. If the retail price is a bit much, check the Canon Refurbished site or Fred Miranda forums. You can usually find a mint copy for around $1000 which fits your budget perfectly. Tbh it is a solid piece of glass that wont feel like a total brick on your neck all day in Maui.
Honestly, if you wanna save some cash for Maui activities instead of blowing it all on gear, you gotta look at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It is super lightweight and honestly such an underrated lens! People talk down on it because of the variable aperture, but the R6 handles high ISO like a champ so you wont even notice. It is dirt cheap compared to the L-series glass, leaving you plenty of budget for extra batteries or gear. If you really crave that wider aperture for portraits tho, just grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is tiny, costs basically nothing, and fits in your pocket. Having both of those in your bag takes up less space than one giant heavy zoom and you will be ready for anything. I love this combo for travel, it is just so convenient and lets me actually enjoy the trip instead of worrying about my back or lens swaps!