Ive been shooting with the R5 for years now and just made the jump to the R5 II last week for my wedding photography business. The autofocus tracking is honestly insane compared to the original, but now im finding that my old EF glass with the adapter is just killing the vibe. Even with the control ring adapter, the weight balance feels off and I feel like im losing that snappy performance I paid for with the new body.
Im in the UK and have about 2500 pounds to play with before the peak summer season kicks off in June. I need something that can handle everything from wide shots of the venue to tight portraits of the couple without me needing to swap glass constantly. I tried the 24-70mm f/2.8 RF but it felt a bit front-heavy on the new grip. Should I just commit to the 24-105 f/2.8 and deal with the extra bulk, or is there a sleeper prime combo I should be looking at instead? Kinda stuck here and dont want to waste cash on the wrong glass...
Since you are worried about weight distribution and the R5 II grip, you might want to consider the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. I know it is heavier than the 24-70, but the optical performance is practically peerless for weddings. Be careful though, as it is a beast of a lens. If the balance is your main concern, you definitely need to account for the front-heavy nature of larger optics. I would suggest looking into this setup instead of the 24-105:
- The constant f/2 aperture provides a massive light advantage, which is crucial for those dark UK reception venues.
- You might want to consider adding a battery grip if the front-heavy feel is making your wrist ache during long shoots.
- Make sure to keep your shutter speeds high, as the R5 II sensor is unforgiving with micro-vibrations at these focal lengths. Personally, I prefer the prime route because you get better bokeh separation, but swapping lenses in the middle of a ceremony is risky. If you go with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM paired with a wider prime, be careful not to miss those candid moments while changing glass. Using a single zoom is usually safer for business operations. Just watch your budget closely, because once you factor in taxes and potential filters, that 2500 pound limit gets tight quickly.
Jumping in here! Have you considered the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM? It's lighter than that 24-105! How much do you value having that extra reach vs. carrying less weight?
Honestly, I feel your pain. Transitioning away from EF glass is a headache, but the R5 II really does deserve native RF glass to shine. I used the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z for a few gigs last year, and while the optics are stunning, it is an absolute tank. It makes the body feel totally unbalanced during long wedding days, which is why I ended up letting it go. If you want the best balance without sacrificing that snappy AF performance, look into these instead:
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is the standard for a reason. It is lighter than the 105mm version and much easier to handle on the new grip.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM paired with a wider prime is honestly the way to go if you want those dreamy wedding shots. It feels way better in the hand than the zooms. Unfortunately, finding a one-size-fits-all lens that doesnt feel front-heavy is basically a myth in the RF lineup. I found that sticking to the 24-70mm and just accepting the slight trade-off in reach is the most professional route. Dont force the bulk if it ruins your workflow. Save your back and just grab the 24-70mm, you wont regret the snappy performance.