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.
@Reply #6 - good point! I definitely agree that cropping is the smartest way to get more reach out of that sensor without lugging around a telephoto. Unfortunately, my long-term experience with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM was not as good as expected. It really feels like youre paying a premium for a lens that struggles in the corners on a 45mp body, which is a bit disappointing for the price. If youre looking to save some of your remaining budget for the actual trip, here are a few things I've learned from owning these setups:
- Look for a refurbished Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM directly from Canon. They often look brand new and usually save you at least $200 which covers a lot of pasta in Italy.
- If the 2.8 zoom is still too pricey, dont sleep on the Canon RF 24-105mm f4-7.1 IS STM for daytime street shots. Its tiny, and the savings let you buy the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM specifically for that dark wedding reception.
- I actually had issues with the weight of the L-series glass during long travel days. Using a prime like the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM is much more discreet for street photography. Honestly, spending your last $2500 on one piece of glass is risky. I'd grab a cheaper combo and keep some cash for insurance or a decent strap.
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!
Congrats on the R5II, its a total beast. I remember doing a trip to Tuscany a few years back where I brought a slower zoom thinking Id be fine. The wedding reception was in this stunning but super dark stone cellar and I spent the entire night fighting my autofocus. I ended up with a lot of shots that were technically okay but lacked that pop because the ISO was through the roof. Heres a few things you might want to consider before you commit:
- Low light reliability: The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM gives the R5II double the light to work with. In a dim reception, that extra stop makes the AF way more reliable. Nothing ruins a trip like missing the kiss because the lens was hunting.
- The crop factor: Since you have 45MP, you can basically treat that 70mm as a 105mm by cropping in post and still have enough resolution for a huge print. You cant really fix the noise from an f/4 shot taken at ISO 12800 in the same way.
- Environmental toughness: I found that the 24-70mm feels a bit more tank-like when you are squeezed into narrow Italian streets or bumping into tourists. Be careful with the 24-105 reach trap. It feels good to have it, but you might find yourself wishing for that f/2.8 the second you step indoors.
Re: "Congrats on the R5II, its a total beast...." - i totally agree with john there. honestly i moved over from a sony system last year and im just so satisfied with how the canon feels in terms of build and reliability. i dont have any complaints about the weather sealing which is huge when you're traveling. i remember being in a similar spot before a trip to greece and i ended up choosing a lens that i knew wouldn't let me down mechanically even if it meant a trade-off elsewhere. it is just safer that way imo. when you think about your shooting style in italy are you planning on doing a lot of heavy cropping on those 45mp files or do you usually get it right in the frame? also are you mostly a handheld shooter or will you have a small tripod for those dim church interiors and the wedding reception? i found that knowing those two things really helped me narrow down between the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM before i made my final choice.
Building on the earlier suggestion, the consensus here is basically a choice between reach and light. Ngl, after shooting for over a decade, the answer for a wedding is always the faster glass! You should definitely go with the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM. It is an amazing lens and fits right under your $2500 cap. Since you're rocking the R5II, that 45MP sensor is a total beast for cropping. If you need that 105mm look, just crop the image in post! It is basically a DIY teleconverter and the results are still gonna look sharp as a tack. The f/2.8 is gonna save your life at that reception. f/4 is just too slow for dark indoor stuff unless you want your ISO hitting crazy numbers. This combo is fantastic for street photography too tho... the bokeh at 70mm f/2.8 is just lovely. Have an incredible time in Italy, it sounds like it is gonna be a blast!
