Just picked up an R5 finally! Been shooting on my old 5D Mark IV for ages and man the jump in resolution is just wild. Im mostly doing event work and street photography around Chicago, so I really need something that can handle changing light fast. I was looking at the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L, and my logic was that it covers basically everything I need, but then I started second guessing if I should just grab a couple primes instead? Or maybe the 28-70mm f/2? I know the 28-70 is heavy as a brick but the bokeh on that thing is insane.
Budget isnt super tight since I sold off a bunch of old EF glass, but I want to make sure I dont regret the weight if Im walking around downtown for six hours straight. The R5 sensor is so unforgiving with any softness, so it has to be tack sharp edge to edge. Should I just stick with the 24-70 and call it a day or is there something else I am totally missing here? Kinda feeling like a kid in a candy store but I really dont want to blow this much cash on the wrong piece of glass...
^ This. Also, adding my two cents after reading through the others, it sounds like we all agree the 28-70 is just too much to carry all day. Honestly, I tried going that route for a wedding last year and unfortunately had major issues with my back by the end of the night. It is not as good as expected for street photography since you look like a massive target walking around downtown. Since you are worried about the R5 resolution and portability, here is what I found works way better for long hauls:
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is solid, but the weight gets to you eventually.
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is actually my go-to for events where you have decent light; it is way lighter and lets you focus on the shot instead of the gear.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM for when you want to go light and sneaky; it is super sharp and cheap enough that you wont stress about it. Basically, the consensus is that the 24-70 is standard, but if you want to save your wrists and your wallet, maybe grab the 24-105 for events and a compact prime for street stuff. I was kinda disappointed with how heavy the pro glass is, but the flexibility of a smaller kit is definitely worth it in the end. Good luck with the new setup!
Honestly, I had a rough time with the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM for day-long shoots. It is just too bulky for city work, and I ended up with wrist pain. The softness issues I found at wide apertures were super annoying for the price. Try these instead:
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM for the weight savings.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM for that sharp prime look.
Congrats on upgrading to the R5! Honestly, skipping the 28-70 is the right move if you value your joints. Walking around Chicago for six hours with a heavy rig gets old real fast. Since reliability and sharpness are your main things, grab the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. It gives you that weather sealing and image stabilization which is a lifesaver for events when light drops. If you want something ultra sharp for street stuff later, maybe toss a Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM in your bag since it weighs practically nothing and won't break the bank.
Congrats on the R5! Honestly, the 24-70 is the Swiss Army knife for a reason, especially for events. I used to lug around primes for street stuff, but the constant swapping just kills the flow in changing light. The 28-70 is legendary for its look, but holding that all day in the city is a real workout. I think the 24-70 is honestly the safer bet for what you described.
bump