Adding my two cents since I’ve been through this exact struggle! Honestly, the R6 is such an amazing piece of gear, so you gotta treat it right. Since ur worried about weight during hikes but want that pro-level reliability, here is how I'd break down the value: • Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: This is the professional gold standard for a reason. It’s built like a tank and the weather sealing is fantastic for travel. But yeah, it’s a bit of a chunk. If you go this route, definitely invest in a solid strap to save ur neck!
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: Amazing for low light and so light you’ll forget it’s there. But tbh, for 'all-around' use, you might find yourself missing the zoom range when you’re out in nature. I’d probably go with the f/4L for the sheer versatility, but just be cautious with that weight on long trails. Also, definitely grab a B+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear MRC-Nano 010M Filter to protect that glass. Good luck!!

tbh i feel u on the weight issue, but for your situation, i'd grab the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM because the versatility is just unbeatable for travel. it works for basically everything, though the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is sooo much lighter and cheaper for candids. both fit ur $1,300 budget easily—gl!

I struggled with this for months before a big trip last year. I was torn between the pro glass and something lighter. I eventually decided to try the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM instead of the heavy L zooms. Its not an L series lens, but the range is incredible for travel. I found myself taking way more photos because I never had to swap lenses while walking around trails. The image quality is solid enough for family stuff, and honestly, the R6 sensor is so good that the slightly slower aperture doesnt hurt as much as youd think. If you really want that light setup, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is my go-to for indoor family dinners. Between those two, you cover everything and stay way under budget. I tried the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM for a weekend rental and while the build is nicer, I just didnt find the extra weight worth the cost for casual daily use. The consumer-grade RF stuff is really punching above its weight class right now.

To add to the point above: Ive spent way too much time looking at technical white papers and real-world raw files over the years to not chime in. While everyone here has made great points about the trade-off between weight and reach, the performance data shows the L series just handles the R6 sensor better in terms of edge-to-edge sharpness and chromatic aberration control. Basically it boils down to this:

• The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is the performance king. The dual Nano USM motors are lightning fast, which really matters for those candid family shots where kids wont sit still.
• If you are really hiking 10+ miles and the weight is a dealbreaker, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is the lighter alternative, though you lose that constant f/4 aperture.
• For low light, nothing beats having a prime like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM in your bag as a backup for when the sun goes down. Honestly, just get a better strap like the Peak Design Slide and the weight of the L lens becomes a non-issue. The image quality and weather sealing are worth the extra few ounces every single time. It is basically the only lens that truly lets the R6 autofocus reach its full potential without hunting.

🙌

To add to the point above: I’ve had my R6 since launch and honestly, I’m so satisfied with sticking to that constant f/4 zoom. It’s been my main setup for years and I have zero complaints. One small point to consider is how well the IBIS handles the extra weight... it actually feels more stable in the hand than the tiny primes do when you’re shooting video or slow shutter stuff. Once you get a comfortable strap, the weight basically becomes a non-issue anyway.

To add to the point above: ive spent a lot of time looking at MTF charts and weather sealing specs over the years, and honestly, the data for the R6 ecosystem is already out there if you look for it. Reliable glass is everything when you are hiking, but everyone has a different threshold for what heavy actually feels like after ten miles.

• search youtube for r6 travel lens comparisons, theres a really good one from a few months ago that charts weight vs sharpness
• check the r/canon subreddit since they have a massive spreadsheet for this exact thing
• look at the official manufacturer spec sheets for the weight in grams I remember seeing a great video about this recently that broke down the autofocus reliability for family shots too... just search for it and it should be one of the top results. Doing a bit of your own research on those sites will give you a much better feel for the technical trade-offs than I can explain in a quick post.

Re: "I struggled with this for months before a..."

• Unfortunately, my experience with some of these lighter options has been rather disappointing. I had issues with lens creep and dust getting into the internals during a recent trip, and the performance was just not as good as expected for the price. Reliability is everything when you are out on a trail, and I dont think some of these suggestions hold up to real-world use. Before you spend your money, I need to ask a couple of things to narrow it down. What is the actual maximum weight in grams you are willing to tolerate for a full day of hiking? Also, are you looking for a lens that you can basically service yourself if it gets grit in the zoom mechanism, or are you strictly looking for something with professional factory sealing?