What is the absolute best all-around lens for the R5 Mark II? Im heading to Japan in three weeks and need one do-it-all glass. I read that the RF 24-105 f/4 is solid, but others swear by the 24-70 f/2.8. Im worried about the weight for street photography. Should I just save my cash?
Had a moment to look at the sensor data for the R5 Mark II and honestly, both lenses have their trade-offs depending on how much walking you plan on doing in Japan. If you want to keep weight down, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is hard to beat. Its a versatile zoom with great stabilization, which helps since the R5 Mark II sensor is unforgiving with motion blur.
- The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is lighter at 700g, making it way easier for 10-hour days of street shooting.
- The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM sits at 900g, so you feel that extra weight pretty fast.
- If you really need low light performance without the bulk, consider the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. It is tiny and covers the street photography focal length perfectly. Personally, checking out sites like DXOMARK or The Digital Picture for lens sharpness charts might give you a better idea of how the optics resolve on that 45MP sensor. If you arent doing professional low-light events, the f/4 zoom is usually plenty for travel, and you can recover shadows easily with the R5s dynamic range. Just dont overthink it; you'll be swapping lenses less if you stick with one good zoom, but carrying a smaller prime in your bag for the evenings is a solid compromise.
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and dont look back! Its totally worth the extra weight for that f/2.8 aperture, especially in low light when you're exploring Tokyo at night. The sharpness is just insane on the R5 Mark II sensor. Youll love the bokeh for street portraits too. Seriously, for an all-around travel kit, that lens is perfection. Have the best time in Japan!
To add to the point above: having lugged gear around Japan multiple times over the last decade, I can tell you that weight is the real enemy when you're hitting 20,000 steps a day. Most people obsess over the glass and forget that carrying a tank for eight hours straight will ruin your mood faster than any bad lighting situation.
- Pack light because your shoulders will scream by day three.
- Carry a solid strap, not the stock neck one, or you'll regret it.
- Dont swap lenses in the wind or rain, it's just a nightmare. I used to carry everything under the sun, but I learned the hard way that less is definitely more. If you're stressed about weight, stick to a versatile zoom and maybe just bring a tiny prime if you need a secret weapon for night shots. Dont overthink the gear list, just enjoy the trip.