Just picked up the R5 Mark II and man, this sensor is honestly insane. Coming from the original R5, the autofocus improvements are definitely noticeable, especially when I'm tracking birds or just my golden retriever running around the yard. I've been shooting Canon for over a decade now so I have a decent handle on the settings, but I'm struggling to find a good one-lens setup for travel photography. I'm heading to Iceland in about two months and I really dont want to be lugging around a heavy bag of primes if I can help it.
I want something sharp enough to really take advantage of that 45mp sensor, but I also need it to be versatile enough for landscapes and the occasional environmental portrait. Budget is around 2500 bucks max, maybe a bit more if its worth it. I was eyeing the RF 24-105 f/4 L but Im worried its not fast enough for some of the dimmer conditions, yet the 24-70 f/2.8 is just so bulky for hiking all day. Is the 24-105 actually going to cut it with the R5 Mark IIs high ISO performance or should I just suck it up and carry the heavier 2.8 glass?
Honestly, the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM is the smarter play for Iceland. You want to be mobile. The R5 Mark II handles noise so well that the f/4 vs f/2.8 trade-off barely matters unless you're shooting astro.
- Pack the 24-105 for the versatility
- Bring a small prime like the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM just in case it gets really dark Save your back and stay agile.
> the 24-70 f/2.8 is just so bulky for hiking all day Have you considered the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z? It's heavy, but do you actually need that speed?
Re: Honestly, the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS...
- I feel like people get too caught up in the aperture war. I took a trip to the highlands a few years back with a variable zoom and honestly, the bigger issue wasnt the f-stop, it was the dust. Changing lenses in those winds is a nightmare and you will regret bringing anything that isnt weather-sealed to hell and back.
- If you push the glass too far wide open, you lose corner sharpness which really hurts on a 45mp sensor.
- The weight of the 2.8 glass is a legitimate fatigue factor when youre hiking for 10 miles a day.
- Think about the ergonomics of your wrist after 5 hours of carrying the rig. Dont get me wrong, having that extra stop is nice for portraits, but you can always grab a small, lightweight prime for the evenings if you really need the light.
Honestly, if you are heading to Iceland, forget the bulky stuff. I spent three weeks there a few years ago and learned the hard way that weight is your biggest enemy when you are hiking up volcanic ridges in gale-force winds. The R5 Mark II is a beast, but you dont need to strap a brick to the front of it. Just be careful about over-investing in heavy glass that you will end up leaving at the hotel.
- Prioritize weather sealing above all else.
- Remember that the light in Iceland stays weird for hours, so a sturdy tripod is actually more useful than a fast aperture.
- Dont forget to pack a high-quality circular polarizer to cut the glare off those glaciers. I am perfectly satisfied with a lighter travel kit because it means I actually have the energy to hike the extra mile for the shot. Just take gear you can handle easily; otherwise, you will be too tired to compose anything decent once you reach the top. Stay safe out there.