So I finally bit the bullet and picked up a used EOS R6 last week because my old DSLR finally gave up on me during a shoot, but now Im stuck with just the body and no glass. I have a trip to Scotland coming up in about three weeks and I am freaking out a bit because I need something that can handle everything from landscape shots in the highlands to portraits of my family without me having to lug around a bag full of heavy primes. I am based in Chicago and honestly my budget is pretty tight after dropping so much on the body, so ideally I want to keep the lens under 1200 bucks if possible.
I have been scrolling through forums for hours and its driving me crazy. I see people swearing by the RF 24-105mm f/4 L lens, saying it is the absolute gold standard for a walk-around lens, but then I read a thread on another site where a guy claimed the f/4 is too slow for low light stuff and I should just get the 24-70 f/2.8 instead. But that 24-70 is way out of my price range unless I find a miracle deal. Then someone else suggested the RF 24-240mm for the convenience, but I am super worried about the image quality being trash compared to the L series stuff. Everyone seems to have a different opinion and I just dont know who to trust anymore.
Im not a professional or anything, just a hobbyist who wants to capture clear photos without constantly switching lenses while it is raining or windy in the middle of nowhere. If I have to pick one piece of glass to live on my camera for the next year, what is the best move here? Is the 24-105 really as versatile as people claim, or am I gonna regret not having that extra stop of light? Please tell me what you would do if you were heading out on a trip with only one slot in your camera bag...
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. The f/4 aperture is totally fine with the R6 high ISO performance, and you wont miss the extra stop with that great stabilization.
- Sharpness is consistent across the frame
- Build quality holds up in Scottish rain
- 105mm reach is perfect for compression I used this combo in Iceland and it handled everything perfectly. Just push your ISO a bit, the R6 sensor is a beast.
Honestly, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is just way too expensive for what you get, and unfortunately, I had issues with the edge softness on the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM when I tested it. It is not as good as expected for an R6 sensor. If you are heading to Scotland, you need weather sealing, which that lens lacks entirely. My recommendation is the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. It is the best move for your budget and needs:
- The constant f/4 aperture is perfectly manageable given the R6 has incredible high-ISO performance.
- It has robust weather sealing which is essential for the highlands.
- The focal range is unmatched for travel versatility. Don't worry about the f/4 vs f/2.8 debate. The image stabilization in the R6 combined with the 24-105mm makes up for the lack of that extra stop.
Adding my two cents, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is solid, but what kind of light do you usually shoot in?
- Check out the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for a cheaper f/2.8 option.
