I finally pulled the trigger on a used EOS R5 after months of saving my pennies but now I am stuck with just the body and no glass. Im heading to Japan in exactly three weeks and I need something that can handle everything from street photography in Tokyo to landscapes in the mountains. I dont want to be swapping lenses constantly because carrying a heavy bag around is gonna kill my back after four hours of walking.
Right now Im torn between three options. The RF 24-105mm F4 L is the obvious choice because of the reach but Im worried it will be too slow for the evening shots I want to get in Shinjuku. Then there is the RF 24-70mm F2.8 L which is basically the dream lens but it is so expensive and heavy that I might actually have to eat instant noodles for a month if I buy it. A buddy of mine keeps telling me to just grab the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 STM to save cash for the trip itself but I feel like putting that lens on an R5 is just wrong and I wont get the image quality that the sensor deserves.
My budget is strictly under 2k for this since the body set me back so much. I need to make a decision by this weekend so I can get it delivered and play around with it for a few days before my flight leaves. Should I just bite the bullet and go for the 24-70mm f2.8 and skip a few nice dinners while traveling or is the 24-105mm L actually enough to hold me over? Im so stressed about making the wrong call here and ending up with soft photos from my dream trip...
Look, I have been shooting with the R5 since launch and honestly, you might want to be careful about going too cheap. Putting that STM glass on a 45MP sensor is just asking for regret later. I once tried to save money on a trip to Hokkaido and ended up with such soft corners it ruined the shots. If you can stretch the budget, get the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM because the glass quality is just on another level for that sensor. If the price tag is really too painful, look for a clean used copy. Just make sure you test it thoroughly before you leave. I would suggest picking up a cheap memory card like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I as a backup, but focus your funds on that L-series glass. You wont regret the extra weight when you see the sharpness.
^ This. Also, dont overlook the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM for those dark alleys. Honestly, I took just that and the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM to Kyoto last year and was super satisfied.
- The zoom is for daytime versatility
- The prime is a lifesaver when the sun drops It kept my bag light and I never felt like I missed a shot. You'll be fine.
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM. It is the best balance for travel. Dont sweat the aperture for night shots; just crank the ISO, the R5 handles it fine.
