Just got my hands on the R5 Mark II and honestly, the resolution is insane but now I feel like all my older glass is just failing to keep up. I shoot mostly events and street stuff in London, so I really need something versatile because swapping lenses while walking through a crowd is a nightmare. I keep going back and forth between the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L and maybe just sticking with a prime set? The 24-70 is obviously the safe bet, but part of me is paranoid about the weight on a long wedding day since Im already carrying a backup body. I have about 2500 pounds set aside for this, so budget isnt totally broken but I cant justify the 28-70 f/2.0 even though I know the bokeh is dreamy. My logic was that a zoom gives me the speed I need for reactive shots, but is the sharpness drop-off actually noticeable on that new sensor compared to a prime? Ive been using Canon since the 5D days but this mirrorless transition is making me second guess everything I know about glass performance. Has anyone here actually tested the 24-70 on the new sensor and felt like it holds up?
Adding my two cents here. That sensor is brutal on older glass so be careful. Are you shooting mostly in low light or outdoors? I used the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM on a long wedding shoot and the weight really fatigue my wrist after 6 hours. You might want to consider the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM if you need less weight, but make sure you have extra lighting.
Congrats on the R5 II! Honestly, that sensor is a beast and totally deserves the best glass. Forget the prime set for events, it's just too much hassle in a crowd. Go for the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM it's incredibly sharp even wide open.
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is the king of versatility
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM for those low light street shots The 24-70 is the one you need, trust me.
Like someone mentioned, the 24-70 is solid, but honestly I had issues with the weight distribution on the R5 II. It just felt way too front-heavy for street work. After spending that much cash, I honestly expected it to feel more balanced. If you're doing all-day events, maybe look into a lighter zoom alternative instead. It's just a shame because the image quality is crisp, but the physical fatigue is real.
