What should I be slapping on my new R5 Mark II for an everyday walkaround lens? I have been using the RF 24-105 f/4 L for years on my old bodies but honestly, with the higher resolution sensor on this new rig, I keep feeling like the glass just isnt holding up in the corners. I am mostly shooting street photography and some occasional travel stuff around Chicago, so I really need something versatile. I have about 2500 bucks burning a hole in my pocket, but I am gonna be back in the field for a wedding gig in three weeks so I need to decide fast. Is the 24-70 f/2.8 II the only real choice here or are there better options?
Agree with everyone else. If the 24-70 is too much, look at the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM for that bokeh, or maybe the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM instead.
Honestly, if you are feeling let down by your older glass on that high-res sensor, you arent imagining things. The R5 Mark II is unforgiving. If you want that extra sharpness and the speed for your wedding gig, you really just need the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. It is just rock solid and I have been perfectly satisfied with the consistency.
- The f/2.8 aperture is a lifesaver for those dark wedding venues.
- It handles the resolution bump way better than the f/4 zoom. It is definitely a heavy piece of kit to carry around Chicago all day, but man, the images are crisp. Just make sure you pair it with a good strap because it gets tiring. Grab it now and get used to the weight before your gig. You wont regret the upgrade.
Honestly, I get your frustration. I spent a fortune on glass when I upgraded my body and felt like the sharpness just wasnt hitting the mark on the high-res sensor either. It is super annoying when you expect that crisp look and the corners just turn into mush. I have had some weird consistency issues with the variable aperture lenses lately, which is why I ended up looking elsewhere entirely. Before you drop all that cash on the standard zoom, have you thought about whether you really need the convenience of a zoom for street work? Sometimes going with a prime setup changes the whole workflow. Are you actually tied to needing that 24-70 range for the wedding, or could you get by with a couple of primes to save some weight? Also, how much are you cropping in during post? If you are doing massive crops, maybe the lens isnt even the main bottleneck here. Just something to consider before you rush into a purchase that might leave you feeling underwhelmed again. I really dont want you to drop 2500 bucks and still feel disappointed with the edge performance like I did last year.
