Ive been shooting with Canon gear for over a decade, started way back on the 5D Mark II, but Ive honestly been struggling a bit since moving over to the R5 body. It is an incredible camera, dont get me wrong, but my old EF glass with the adapter just feels kind of clunky and I think Im not getting the sharpness I paid for with this sensor. Im heading to Japan in about two months and I really dont want to be lugging around a bag full of heavy primes like I usually do. I need something versatile for street photography, the occasional landscape, and maybe some portraits while Im traveling. Ive got about $2,500 to spend, which I know is a decent chunk of change but the RF glass prices are honestly making my head spin. Should I just bite the bullet and go for the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L or is there something else that would be a better all-arounder for travel? Maybe one of the primes or a lighter zoom that isnt so massive? Dealing with the weight has really started to bug me on long walking days. If you had to pick just one lens to live on the R5 for a few weeks of travel what would it be?
Coming back to this, I totally get why the RF 24-70mm prices are making your head spin. Honestly, if you want something lighter but still super sharp for Japan, save your back and your wallet by looking at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. It is way cheaper than the 2.8 version and honestly, for travel, that extra reach at 105mm is a lifesaver for street candid shots.
- Be careful with buying new, check the refurbished section on the Canon site for some serious discounts.
- You might want to consider the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM if you want to keep the kit tiny for long walking days.
- Make sure to pack light, you will thank yourself when you are trekking through Tokyo streets all day.
Honestly, I sold my Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM because the weight just killed my back after a few hours of street shooting. It was sharp, sure, but unfortunately not worth the fatigue. Are you dead set on a zoom, or would you consider carrying one or two smaller primes instead? I switched to the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM and it changed everything for my travel style. It is way lighter and much easier to manage.
Moving from the 5D II to an R5 is a huge jump in resolution, so that clunky feeling with old EF glass is definitely real. Honestly, using the adapter with the older tech often leaves that 45MP sensor underutilized. If weight is your main gripe for Japan, I would avoid the 24-70mm f/2.8L. Its built like a tank but lugging it around Tokyo all day gets exhausting fast. For a travel kit, I recommend looking at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM instead. You save a ton of cash compared to the 2.8 zoom, which leaves you room for a sharp prime like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for those evening portraits. The f/4 zoom is way more versatile for street and landscapes, and the stabilization is solid for handheld shots at lower shutter speeds. Another solid contender if you want to keep things compact is the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM. Its not an L-series lens, but for street work in broad daylight, it is plenty sharp enough and covers everything you could possibly need. Plus, you wont feel like you are carrying a barbell. You can pick these up used on some of the major forums for way under your $2,500 budget. Keep the extra cash for your trip expenses, you will definitely want it for food and transport.