What is the actual best all-around lens for the Canon R6 if I want to stop swapping glass every five minutes? Im honestly getting so tired of carrying around three different primes when I just want to capture my kids running around the backyard or take some decent shots on our weekend hikes here in Colorado.
I keep reading that the RF 24-105mm f/4 L is the holy grail because of the versatility, but then I see people on other forums saying the f/4 aperture just isnt enough for indoor stuff or lower light, which makes me worry I'm gonna regret spending that much money only to still need a fast prime later. Ive also been eyeing the RF 24-70mm f/2.8, but holy cow that thing is expensive and weighs a ton, so Im not sure if itll just sit in my bag because its too heavy to lug around all day. My budget is probably capped around 2k, maybe a little more if I sell off some of my old EF gear that is just collecting dust.
I really need something that can handle landscapes and group shots but still give me that nice blurry background for portraits without making my arm fall off after an hour of shooting. Im planning to head to a family reunion in a few months and I really dont want to be the guy fiddling with lens caps while everyone else is eating. Is there something else I should be looking at or should I just suck it up and get the 24-105? Does that extra stop on the 24-70 actually matter that much for regular family photos or am I overthinking the low light thing? I feel like I have been going in circles for weeks looking at specs and reviews...
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have spent years stressing over aperture specs. Honestly, I traded my heavy Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM because the weight was killing my back on trails. If you are budget-conscious, try the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It is super light, saves you a ton of cash, and lets you buy a fast prime later for those dark indoor moments. Don't overthink the gear, just go shoot.
Honestly, if you want that one-lens solution for your Canon R6 without feeling like you're hauling a brick, look at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. Everyone obsesses over the f/2.8, but seriously, the image stabilization on the R6 is absolutely magic! I can shoot handheld at crazy slow shutter speeds indoors and get sharp results, which totally negates the need for that extra stop of light half the time. It is such a versatile zoom range too. You get that wide 24mm for your landscape shots in Colorado and then you can punch in to 105mm for some really nice compression on your kid portraits. If you are truly worried about that indoor performance, I would grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM as a cheap little companion. It fits in your pocket and costs next to nothing compared to the 24-70mm. It is incredibly sharp for the price and gives you that f/1.8 speed when you really need to freeze motion inside a dark house. You will save so much money, save your back, and honestly, you won't miss the weight of the 24-70mm at all! The R6 sensor handles high ISOs so well that f/4 is definitely not a dealbreaker like it was back in the DSLR days. Trust me, you'll be way happier keeping your kit light so you can actually enjoy those hikes!
Honestly, you hit the nail on the head. Over the years, I have tried lugging around every single focal length imaginable, and the struggle to balance weight versus light is real. If you are chasing kids or trekking through the mountains, the fatigue from a heavy setup usually means you just stop shooting altogether, which defeats the point.
- The f/4 constant aperture is perfectly fine for daylight hiking.
- Indoor shots often benefit more from good flash technique than just a wider aperture.
- Your R6 has excellent high ISO performance, so dont stress about the light as much as you think. In my experience, sticking to a versatile zoom is the only way to stay in the moment. Just grab the one that fits your budget and focus on the family, not the gear.
Seconded!