Ugh, honestly so fed up with my current kit right now. I just dropped a ton of cash on the EOS R5 Mark II for my wedding shoots in Chicago, but the lens I bought alongside it keeps hunting for focus and its just driving me absolutely insane. I have a big job coming up in two weeks and I can't keep missing shots because of this glass. Im looking for something reliable that can handle everything from portraits to wide venue shots without being a total pain to carry around. I dont really have a set budget anymore because I just need this to work. What is the best all-around lens for this body anyway?
> I have a big job coming up in two weeks and I can't keep missing shots because of this glass. Be careful choosing the newest gear. I once ruined a shoot by jumping on release-day lenses. Honestly, I suggest the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM instead. It is way more reliable for weddings and keeps costs down. Just make sure you test it for a few days before your gig, dont risk your reputation.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I gotta be honest, if you are shooting weddings professionally and using that R5 II, you really need a constant aperture lens to maintain consistent exposure when the light drops in those Chicago venues. While the f/4 zoom is solid, I have shot hundreds of weddings over the years and sticking with a faster aperture is just safer for autofocus reliability. The sensor on the R5 II is a beast, but it needs light to lock on instantly. Personally, I would ditch the variable aperture stuff and go straight for the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. Yeah, it is heavy and pricey, but the performance is just leagues ahead. It basically replaces three primes.
- The f/2 aperture is a game changer for low light
- Edge to edge sharpness wide open is actually insane
- No hunting because the glass elements are optimized for the R-mount communication If that feels like overkill or too much weight for an eight-hour day, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is my go-to backup. It has the stabilization that helps out when you are handholding in dark reception halls, and it is a workhorse that never quits on me. Dont settle for gear that makes you nervous during the ceremony. Your client is paying for the result, so give yourself the best optical advantage possible.
TL;DR: Grab the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM if you can find a used copy, it will save your wedding season! I was in your shoes last year during a huge summer rush. My gear was letting me down and I was stressed out of my mind! I ended up picking up a pre-owned copy of the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM and honestly it changed everything for me. It is just so sharp and the focus is locked on immediately, no hunting whatsoever. Check out some of the reputable used sites if you want to stretch your budget further! You can often find gear that is basically brand new for a fraction of the cost. I love my setup now and it makes those long wedding days feel so much more manageable. You got this, just get that glass sorted and you will kill it at the shoot!
Ugh, the focus hunting issue is a total nightmare, especially during wedding gigs. I remember a few years back when my old setup totally tanked during a ceremony and I almost lost the client. Since you're using the R5 Mark II, you really need glass that keeps up with that lightning fast AF system. I would suggest you grab the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM lens. It is honestly the workhorse of my kit for a reason. Just make sure to test it thoroughly before that upcoming shoot because even pros like us can run into calibration issues. Be careful if you look at third party adapters, honestly, just stick to native RF glass so you dont face any more frustration. Its pricey, but for those wedding shots, it wont let you down.