What is the absolute best all-around lens for the Canon R5 that wont compromise on that 45mp resolution? I have been shooting with the 5D series for over a decade so I thought I knew my way around a camera but I finally made the jump to mirrorless and I am honestly kind of spiraling. I bought the R5 last month and tried using my old EF 24-70 with the adapter but for some reason the images just dont feel as sharp as they should be on this sensor... maybe I am just pixel peeping too hard because of the new toy syndrome but its stressing me out. I have a huge trip to the Swiss Alps coming up in about three weeks and I really need to find one do it all lens because I am sick of carrying a 10lb bag of primes through airports. I have a budget of about $2500 but I could go higher if there is something life-changing out there. Is the RF 24-70mm f2.8 the way to go or is the 24-105mm actually sharp enough for this body? I hear mixed things about the f4 version and I really dont want to regret it when I am halfway up a mountain in low light. I just need one reliable workhorse that wont let me down on this trip...
> is the 24-105mm actually sharp enough for this body? Honestly, my Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM was a letdown on the R5.
- Images felt mushy
- F4 missed low light shots Get the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM instead.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to respectfully disagree that the f/4 is your only "reach" option for a trip like this. If you are spiraling about sharpness on that 45MP sensor, you are totally right to be picky. The R5 really exposes the flaws in older EF glass once you start pixel peeping, especially near the edges. I have been using the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z for a few months now and honestly, I am beyond satisfied. It is basically the life-changing lens you mentioned. It solves the exact dilemma you are having—you get the 105mm reach for those distant alpine peaks but keep the f/2.8 for low light when the sun dips behind the mountains. The MTF charts don't lie, it resolves that high-res sensor beautifully. It is way sharper than the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and feels more consistent than my old 24-70. Only catch is it is a bit of a chonk and costs around $3000, so it pushes your budget. But if you want to replace a 10lb bag of primes for Switzerland, this is the one. If the weight is a dealbreaker tho, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is the logical fallback. It is a workhorse, no complaints there, but you might miss that extra reach for landscapes... honestly, for a trip this big, I would just go for the f2.8 Z and call it a day.
To add to the point above: unfortunately, I had issues with that 24-105 f/4 too when I first jumped to the R5. It was honestly such a letdown because everyone says it's the perfect travel lens, but on a 45mp sensor, the corners just feel soft. If you're already stressing about sharpness with your adapted glass, that lens is gonna drive you crazy. I've been shooting for a long time and nothing kills a trip faster than coming home to photos that aren't as crisp as you remembered. I'm gonna politely disagree with the suggestion for the f/2.8 Z version tho... it's basically a cinema lens and way too heavy for hiking around the Alps. If you want that life-changing sharpness without the bulk, you really should just go for the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. It's the most reliable workhorse in my bag and it actually resolves enough detail for that sensor. The transition from EF to RF glass is a huge jump in price, but the autofocus speed and corner-to-corner clarity on this specific lens are worth every penny. You'll be much happier in those low-light mountain scenarios than you would be with a slower zoom. Stick to this one and you wont regret it.
Helpful thread 👍
> Is the RF 24-70mm f2.8 the way to go or is the 24-105mm actually sharp enough for this body? Honestly, I'd suggest grabbing a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM to save cash. Just be careful in low light tho... f4 might feel slow for mountain sunsets.
