Finally pulled the trigger on an R5 after saving up for ages and Im honestly so pumped. My old glass is mostly EF stuff and while the adapter works fine I really want to start building out my RF collection. Im heading to Japan in about three months so I need something versatile because I dont want to be lugging around a bag full of heavy primes while walking all over Tokyo.
Right now Im pretty torn between the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L and the 24-105mm f/4 L. The 24-70 is obviously faster and I love that shallow depth of field for portraits but man, that extra reach on the 24-105 would be so convenient for travel snapshots without having to swap lenses constantly. Budget is sitting around 2500 bucks max so I could swing the 24-70 if I find a deal or maybe grab the 24-105 and put the leftover cash toward a decent prime. Is the f/2.8 aperture worth losing that extra zoom range for general street photography and occasional landscape shots? Really stressing out about making the wrong call before my trip...
Congrats on the R5 man, that camera is a beast. Honestly, for Japan, weight is gonna be your biggest enemy because you walk everywhere. I went with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM for my last trip and it was honestly a lifesaver.
- The reach: Having that extra 35mm at the long end is huge for street details where you cant always get close.
- Image stabilization: It is rock solid, which helps a ton if youre shooting at lower light or doing video handheld.
- Size: It balances way better on the body for all-day carry. Now, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is objectively sharper and that f/2.8 is dreamy for bokeh, but carrying it around for 12 hours straight is a workout. If you grab the 24-105, you still have room in your budget for something like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, which is tiny and gives you that fast aperture when you actually need it for night shots or portraits. Personally, I think the flexibility of the f/4 zoom beats the marginal gain in aperture for a travel lens. You dont want to be swapping glass in the middle of a crowded Tokyo street, trust me. Get the zoom with more reach, grab a small prime for low light, and you'll be set.
Honestly, if you go with the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM, you'll probably regret not having that extra reach when you're snapping details on old shrines or street signs in Tokyo. I've spent years lugging around heavy gear and the f/2.8 weight adds up fast after ten miles of walking. Save the cash and go with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM instead. You get so much more flexibility for travel and can use the leftover money for something like:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for those portraits you mentioned
- A solid K&F Concept Variable ND Filter for video
- Extra SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II cards The f/4 is totally fine for landscapes and street stuff, especially with the R5's incredible high ISO performance. Grab the 24-105 and a cheap prime, you wont regret it.
To add to the point above: you might want to consider the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM if you really dont want to swap lenses. I know it isnt an L-series glass, but for travel, the versatility is insane. Be careful though, the corners can be a little soft compared to the pro glass. If you stick with your current plan, make sure to check out:
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM for those night shots
- SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I to keep your workflow fast Honestly, I would go with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and grab a small prime. The f/2.8 zoom is a tank and you will feel that weight on your neck by day three of walking around Shinjuku. Just dont overthink it, the R5 is gonna make anything look good.
