Just picked up a used Canon R6 and Im honestly obsessed with the autofocus compared to my old DSLR. Been shooting with my EF glass via the adapter for a few weeks but its starting to feel a bit clunky and heavy for all day street stuff. I have about 1200 bucks to spend and need something versatile because Im heading to Japan in October and dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while dealing with crowds.
Im torn on where to put my money. Should I just commit to the RF 24-105mm f/4L? I know the constant aperture is super helpful for events but sometimes I crave that extra bokeh for portraits. Or is there a sleeper third party option I should be looking at? Everyone keeps hyping up different setups but I feel like I need a real world take from someone who actually carries this body around all day. Trying to find that perfect balance of weight and glass quality without breaking the bank before my flight. What are you guys actually keeping on your R6 for general walkaround use?
Honestly, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is decent for weight, but the sharpness is kinda disappointing. Just grab a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM instead.
Congrats on the R6, the AF jump is insane compared to those old DSLRs. Honestly, if you are headed to Japan and want to keep it simple, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is basically the gold standard for a reason. It is super reliable, weather-sealed for those rainy Tokyo days, and the reach is perfect for street stuff. Yeah, you lose that crazy thin depth of field you get from a prime, but the convenience of not swapping lenses in a crowded subway is worth it imo. Quick tip: grab a small, cheap prime like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for the nights when you really want that bokeh. It weighs basically nothing so you can throw it in a jacket pocket and forget about it until you need it.
Been using this for years, no complaints
@Reply #1 - good point! Totally agree that the L-series glass is a tank, but honestly, lugging that around Japan might get old after ten miles of walking. I used to be a total zoom-only guy, but lately, I have been leaning into primes for the weight savings.
- How much are you actually shooting at night vs daylight?
- Does the idea of a prime lens stress you out too much for street stuff? If you find yourself mostly hitting the streets, do you value having that reach at 105mm, or would you rather have something super compact that fits in a jacket pocket? Honestly, switching to a lighter setup changed my whole travel experience, so I am curious if you are okay with losing a bit of zoom range for better low-light shots.
> I have about 1200 bucks to spend and need something versatile because Im heading to Japan in October and dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while dealing with crowds. Had a moment to think about this more and honestly, traveling to Japan with a single lens is the way to go. I carry my R6 everywhere and while the L-series is super reliable, it can get hefty. If you prioritize reliability and speed, you might want to look into the RF 24-240mm if you find the 105mm range lacking. I am not 100% sure if the optical quality hits your standards, but IIRC, the versatility for street candids is pretty hard to beat in that focal range. If you feel like that is too much of a compromise on build, sticking to the standard L-glass is probably safer for weather protection. It is a tough call, but think about how much zoom you actually use versus the bokeh you want. Maybe check if you can rent something similar before your trip to see if the weight bothers you after a full day of walking.
Helpful thread 👍