Is the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM still the king for the R5 Mark II, or should I be looking at the 24-105mm f/2.8 instead? I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to the new body last week, and now Im stuck using my old EF glass with that adapter which is honestly just getting kind of annoying and heavy. I live in Seattle and mostly shoot street photography, but I also end up doing a ton of portraits for friends on the weekends so I need something that can handle both without me constantly switching lenses in the rain.
Budget-wise I have about 3k saved up for this, maybe a bit more if I sell off some of my old gear. The 24-105mm f/2.8 looks like an absolute dream for versatility, but man, that thing is massive. Like, is it actually practical for a walkaround lens or am I gonna regret the weight after an hour of wandering around? The 24-70mm is obviously the classic choice, I just dont know if I want to miss out on the extra reach and the slightly better bokeh of that f/2.8 power zoom setup if I can even find one in stock.
I really need to make a decision before a trip to Japan next month because I dont want to be lugging around a bag full of primes. I feel like the 24-105mm is the smarter play for travel, but part of me keeps looking at the 24-70 and thinking itll be easier to pack. Has anyone used both on the Mark II yet? Does the extra weight of the 105 really impact the balance that much? Im honestly just torn between the convenience of the 70 and the pure reach of the 105...
Congrats on the R5 II! Honestly, if you are heading to Japan and hitting the streets, save your back. I used the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM for a while and it is the sweet spot for balance. The new Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is a beast, but for all-day street walking in Seattle or Tokyo, it is overkill. You will feel that extra weight before you hit the second hour of shooting.
- The 24-70mm is way easier to pack for travel when you have limited bag space.
- You get full f/2.8 across the range, which covers your portrait needs perfectly.
- Swapping lenses in the rain sucks, and the 24-70mm is weather-sealed enough that you wont be worried about a little dampness. Stick with the 24-70mm. It just works well.
Honestly, I had a moment to think about this more and I feel like the 24-105mm f/2.8 is just way too much glass for street work. I tried lugging it around downtown and my neck was killing me within an hour. It is a technological marvel, but the balance on the EOS R5 Mark II is completely off-putting for daily walkaround use.
- The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is the only one that feels natural for street photography, though the lens hood is kind of a pain.
- If you really want versatility without the bulk, have you looked at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM instead? It is much lighter and travels like a dream. Unfortunately, the extra stop on that heavy 24-105 f/2.8 just wasnt worth the back pain for me personally.
Honestly, if you are planning on walking the streets of Japan all day, be careful with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z. It is a beast. I took it out once for a full day of shooting and my wrist was honestly killing me by the time I grabbed dinner. It is super sharp, dont get me wrong, but the balance on the R5 II feels front-heavy and kinda awkward for quick street shots. If you decide to go for it, make sure you get a really solid strap. Personally, I would suggest picking up the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM instead. It is way more manageable for travel and fits in a bag so much easier. You will thank yourself after walking 20k steps a day in Tokyo.