Is the RF 24-105mm f/4 L actually worth the upgrade if I already have the old EF 24-105mm, or am I just wasting my money? I have been shooting on Canon bodies since the 5D Mark II days and honestly Ive always loved the versatility of that focal range for my travel stuff, but ever since I made the jump to the R6 Mark II, my EF glass feels kinda clunky with the adapter. It works fine, sure, but sometimes the AF feels just a tiny bit sluggish in low light and it really bothers me when Im trying to grab candids at weddings.
I have about 1200 bucks to spend and I need something that can handle a full day of shooting without me needing to swap lenses every five minutes because honestly I hate cleaning sensors in the field. I live in Seattle and the weather here is just unpredictable as hell so weather sealing is non-negotiable, I cant be dealing with moisture issues during a shoot.
I looked at the RF 24-70 f/2.8 but that is way over my budget and honestly it looks huge, I dont know if I want to lug that around all day. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and go for the f/4 L? Or is there some secret third option I am missing that isnt a total pain to carry? I just feel like I should be getting sharper results with these newer sensors but maybe my expectations are out of whack. I need to make a decision by next week because I have a trip to the coast coming up and I dont want to be second guessing my kit while Im out there... its driving me crazy.
^ This. Also, if you really want to stay native but feel like the f/4 is just too standard, look into the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM. Seriously, dont let the variable aperture scare you off. I took this lens out to the Olympic Peninsula last month and the reach is just insane. You can grab those tight candids across a room and then wide landscapes without ever touching a second lens. The R6 II handles the high ISO noise so well these days that I barely even miss the extra stop of light compared to my old glass. Since you are dealing with that classic Seattle drizzle, make sure you pick up a Peak Design Shell Camera Cover to keep the port dry. It is basically a raincoat for your gear. The focus speed on the native RF optics is just buttery smooth compared to that clunky adapter setup youve been dealing with. Youll notice the hit rate on your wedding shots goes up instantly because the camera body can actually communicate with the lens motor properly. It is sharp, it is light, and honestly, it is a game changer for travel if you hate swapping glass. Just go for it, you wont regret the weight savings!
Re: Honestly, stick with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. I totally agree with that. After years shooting EF glass, the native Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is just night and day on the R6 II. The focus speed is instant compared to the adapter lag. Since you are worried about moisture, keep a decent Peak Design Shell Camera Cover in your bag. It saves my gear in the Seattle drizzle constantly.
Honestly, stick with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. I had issues with my old EF glass on the R6 II too; the adapter just kills the balance.
- The native RF focus is way snappier.
- Weather sealing is solid for Seattle rain.
- Sharpness is a massive jump over the old version. It is not perfect, but it is way better than lugging that heavy 24-70 around. You wont regret the weight savings.
Late to the party, but regarding the suggestion of the 24-240mm, honestly, I had issues with the edge-to-edge sharpness on that lens compared to the L-series optics. While the reach is nice, the optical compromises just weren't up to the standard I expected from a full-frame sensor on an R6 Mark II. Unfortunately, if you are pixel-peeping like I do, you might find the resolution across the frame a bit disappointing. Since you are budget-focused and need reliability in wet conditions, I ended up finding a deal on a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM that saved me a few hundred bucks. It is significantly more robust than the variable aperture options. If you really want to stretch that 1200 dollar budget, keep an eye on the certified refurbished listings from Canon directly. I grabbed my copy that way, and it functions like new. It is the only way to get that professional weather sealing without paying the premium for the f/2.8 version. Stick with the L-glass, don't compromise on the build quality.
