So I finally bit the bullet and grabbed the R5 Mark II after shooting on a 5D Mark IV for what feels like forever. The jump in autofocus is insane but I'm realizing my old EF glass with the adapter just isnt cutting it for the 45 megapixel sensor. Like its fine but I feel like I'm wasting the camera's potential you know? I'm heading out to the Swiss Alps in about two weeks and I really dont want to carry a massive bag of primes. I need one lens that can basically live on the body for 90% of the trip. I've been eyeing the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 because obviously its the gold standard but then the 24-105mm f/4 is so much lighter for hiking even though I lose a stop. Plus there's that new 24-105 f/2.8 but that thing is a literal brick and my budget is topping out at around $2800. I do a mix of wide landscapes and some street photography in the villages so I need something sharp edge to edge. Since the R5II has such good IBIS maybe the f/4 is enough? Or will I regret not having the faster aperture for low light? What is the absolute best all-around lens that actually makes the R5 Mark II sensor sing without breaking my back or my bank account?
I usually prefer the safest route when it comes to gear, especially for a big trip like the Alps. For your situation, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is definitely the most logical choice. It is a very decent option that covers almost everything you will see without being a total burden on your neck. It usually runs about $1,299 which is well within your budget.
- Weight: It is light enough for all-day hiking without getting exhausted.
- Range: 105mm is much better for picking out distant mountain details than 70mm.
- Value: You save over $1,000 compared to the f/2.8 lenses. Since the R5 II has such good stabilization, the f/4 aperture isnt a huge risk for blurry shots. You might struggle a bit in very dark church interiors or late at night, but for landscapes and street stuff, it works perfectly and is way more manageable than the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM for travel.
Been very happy with the MTF performance on Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM.
- Zero edge diffraction at 45MP.
- Dual Nano USM speed... Works well for my high-altitude hikes tho.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I would suggest being careful about weight for those long Alpine climbs. I once lugged the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM through the Dolomites and honestly my back regretted it by day two. The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is way more practical for travel. You might notice slightly more distortion, but for hiking, f/4 and that IBIS is usually enough.
I gotta back up what jacquelyn said about the weight factor. Over the years, I've tried many different setups for mountain treks, and nothing kills the vibe faster than a sore neck. One time in the Rockies, I insisted on taking my heaviest f/2.8 glass and honestly ended up leaving it in the bag half the time because my shoulders were killing me. Reliability on these long hauls is basically down to how much abuse your body can take before you stop caring about the shot. In my experience, the best gear is the stuff that doesnt make you hesitate to pull it out of the bag. A couple things I'm curious about tho:
- Are you planning on doing any astro or low-light blue hour shots while youre staying in the mountain huts?
- Do you usually bring a tripod along for those wide landscapes or are you planning to shoot 100% handheld? Knowing that would help narrow it down because if you are strictly handheld at dawn, that extra stop might actually be worth the literal pain in the neck.
No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.
