I finally pulled the trigger on the R5 Mark II after saving up forever but now I'm lowkey panicking about what lens to actually keep on it most of the time. My logic was to get something that does everything because I'm heading to Italy for a wedding and some street photography next month and I really don't want to be swapping glass in the dirt.
I've been reading a ton of reviews and it seems like the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 is the gold standard for this body but then I keep seeing people say the 24-105mm f/4 is better for a one-lens setup because of the extra reach. My worry is that the f/4 is gonna be trash in the dim reception lighting even with the R5's fancy new sensor. Then I saw that massive 24-105mm f/2.8 but it costs way too much and looks like a literal brick. My budget is capped at $2500 now that the camera body basically wiped out my savings account so that one is out of the question anyway.
- is 70mm enough for general travel stuff?
- does the f/4 really hold up on a 45mp sensor or will it look soft?
I'm just so stuck between the two. One day I'm sure it's the 24-70 and the next I'm convinced I'll miss the 105mm reach. I really dont want to make a huge mistake right before this trip...
I gotta respectfully disagree about the sharpness though! The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is actually amazing and totally holds up on high-res sensors. Youll crave that 105mm reach in Italy, trust me. Quick tip: pair it with a Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for the wedding reception. Its a killer combo that handles everything and stays way under your budget!
Honestly, I've had issues with both of these lenses over the years and found them lacking for the R5 platform. Unfortunately, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is not as good as expected on that high-res sensor. It tends to look soft at the edges when you're shooting wide open, and for an expensive trip to Italy, you'll definitely regret that f/4 aperture during a dim wedding reception.
- The 70mm reach on the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is frequently too short for candid street shots.
- Low light performance on the f/4 variant is disappointing despite the fancy sensor.
- Edge sharpness on the 24-105mm often fails to resolve all 45 megapixels. Neither of these really matches the potential of that body. I've been disappointed by the compromises in standard zooms for years... just get the 2.8 for the wedding and crop in when you need more reach.
I totally agree about that 105mm reach being a total lifesaver! It makes a huge difference when you are out exploring! Honestly tho this situation reminds me so much of when my cousin finally bought his dream setup for a huge trip. He had basically emptied his savings like you did and then literally the night before his flight he realized he forgot to budget for insurance or even a basic carrying case! He was in such a massive panic because he didnt want to carry such a pricey rig around unprotected. He ended up running to three different stores at midnight and spent way more than he should have because he was so stressed about the safety of his gear... it was a complete mess. I am always so worried about the practical side of carrying such expensive stuff around!
