Just picked up an EOS R5 and Im seriously losing my mind trying to figure out which glass to pair with it first. Im moving from an old DSLR and everything feels so different, but Im super pumped to start shooting. Im planning a big trip to Iceland in about six weeks so I need something versatile since I dont want to be lugging a whole bag of heavy primes around the glaciers.
Ive been staring at these two options for days:
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM
I really want that extra stop of light with the 24-70 but the 24-105 reach sounds so convenient for landscape stuff and maybe some general travel. My budget is around 2500 bucks, so both are basically within range but I cant decide if the aperture trade-off is worth the extra reach. Im gonna be shooting mostly landscapes and some candid shots of my family. Should I just commit to the f/2.8 for the quality or is the extra zoom range a total game changer for a travel kit? Kinda stressing because the trip is coming up fast and I need to get familiar with the gear before I fly out...
^ This. Also, honestly, I was in your shoes a few months back. I ended up going with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and honestly, I couldn't be happier. Since you're traveling, that extra reach really saves you from having to swap lenses when the weather turns bad. Iceland is super windy and keeping the sensor clean is a nightmare if you're constantly changing glass out there. I totally get wanting the f/2.8, but for landscapes, you'll be stopped down anyway. The stabilization on this lens works well enough that I havent had many issues shooting handheld. Just make sure you grab a good circular polarizer too. You'll be super satisfied with the sharpness, and honestly, the extra cash you save over the 24-70 can go towards a decent tripod or extra batteries.
Congrats on the R5, that sensor is a beast. Honestly, for an Iceland trip, you have to weigh mechanical reach against low-light performance. I have used both on the R5 and they perform differently depending on the scene.
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is the ultimate travel workhorse. The extra 35mm at the long end makes a massive difference for landscapes where you want to compress distant peaks or isolate foreground details without needing to crop. The f/4 aperture is perfectly fine in Iceland during the day, and the stabilization is solid for handheld shots when the light drops.
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is technically superior in terms of bokeh and pure light gathering. If you plan on doing portraits of your family in lower light or want that distinct subject separation, the f/2.8 is the way to go. However, you will find yourself wanting more reach more often than you think. For a trip like Iceland, I recommend the 24-105mm. Youre likely going to be shooting landscapes during the day, and that extra reach saves you from swapping lenses in the wind and dust. Unless you specifically need that f/2.8 for low-light candid indoor work, the versatility of the 24-105mm is better suited for travel environments where you cant always get close to your subject.
Congrats on the new gear! That R5 sensor is truly wild for landscape work. For an Iceland trip, skip the heavy stuff and go with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. Honestly, the extra reach is a total game changer when you're staring at a massive waterfall or a distant glacier peak and cant get any closer. Youll be changing lenses way less often, which is a blessing in that crazy Icelandic weather. The f/4 is perfectly fine since the R5 handles high ISO like an absolute champ, so you arent losing much anyway. If you really crave that extra bokeh for family candids, just pick up a cheap Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM to throw in your pocket. It weighs nothing and gives you that fast aperture look without breaking your back!
