So I finally treated myself and bought a Canon EOS R5 because I heard it was the best, but now Im totally lost because it didnt come with a lens and I have no idea what to buy. Im a total beginner, sorry if this is a dumb question but what should I even get? I mostly want to take photos of my golden retriever and maybe some shots of my garden in Seattle. I have about 1200 bucks left for a lens and I want something that I can just leave on the camera all the time. Is there like one lens that does everything pretty well? Im so confused by all the numbers...
Building on the earlier suggestion, the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM really is the gold standard for a do-it-all walkaround lens. In my experience, especially living in damp places, having that L-series weather sealing is a lifesaver for your gear. You dont want to be stressing about a little Seattle drizzle when youre trying to capture your pup running around.
- That 24-105mm range is super flexible for wide garden shots and tighter portraits
- F4 is consistent across the whole zoom range, which makes things predictable
- The stabilization is honestly a game changer for hand-held shots Dont blow the whole budget on just one lens if you can avoid it, but prioritize glass that isnt gonna fail you. Youll be much happier with a reliable workhorse like this than something cheaper that feels flimsy after a few months of use.
^ This. Also, you might want to consider the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM for that weather sealing in Seattle. Just be careful with shutter speeds for the dog.
Congrats on the R5, honestly that is a beast of a camera! Since you want one lens to leave on there for your dog and garden, you really just need a versatile zoom that handles movement well. Be careful not to get overwhelmed by all the RF lens specs, but you definitely want something with good autofocus for a pup. I would suggest checking out:
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM This one is basically the gold standard for a do-it-all lens. It covers your garden shots perfectly and has the speed to track a golden retriever running around. Just make sure to keep your firmware updated. It might push your budget slightly depending on sales, but you really wont regret the build quality. Have fun shooting in the Seattle rain!