Finally pulled the trigger on the R5 Mark II and my bank account is crying lol. Im heading up to the Pacific Northwest in like two weeks for a mix of hiking and just exploring cities like Seattle and Portland so I really need one solid lens that can stay on the camera 90% of the time. I keep seeing the RF 24-70mm f2.8L recommended everywhere because of the low light and bokeh but then I read a bunch of reviews saying the RF 24-105mm f4L is actually better for travel since it has more reach and is lighter for long trails.
I saw some guy on YouTube saying the 28-70 f2 is the absolute king for this sensor but that thing is a literal brick and way out of my price range anyway. Im really stuck because I dont want to miss the extra zoom on the 105 but I also worry about that f4 aperture when I'm under heavy tree cover in the forests or shooting in the evening. Plus the R5II has such a high resolution sensor I dont want to bottleneck it with glass that isnt sharp enough for those 45MP files. My budget is around $2500 for this but I really just want to buy once and not regret it.
Does the 24-105 actually hold up on the new sensor or should I just suck it up and carry the heavier 24-70 for the better quality?
Regarding what #1 said about the f4 being better for travel, just be careful with those PNW woods. I took the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM on a similar hike and the dim light under the canopy was a total nightmare for my settings.
- High res sensors show motion blur way easier.
- Deep forest light is basically twilight. I would suggest the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM so you dont regret the grain.
> Regarding what #2 said about light... I'd suggest the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM. High resolution sensors are brutal on noise, so that extra stop is basically essential for PNW light.
^ This. Also, I've been thinking about your trip and that R5II sensor. Before you commit, quick question: are you planning to carry a tripod on those hikes or are you shooting everything handheld? If you're handheld in the PNW, you need to be careful. The R5II sensor is incredible but it's unforgiving with motion blur if your shutter speed drops too low under the canopy. A few things to keep in mind for reliability:
- The Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM is the safer bet for changing light, even if it's heavier.
- If you go with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM, make sure to check your ISO constantly because those deep woods get dark fast.
- Dont overlook the weather sealing on these L series lenses; the PNW moisture is no joke for gear. I would suggest the 24-70 f2.8 personally. Its better to have the extra stop and not need it than to be stuck with grainy shots you cant fix later. Reach is great for landscapes, but sharpness in low light is a bigger priority for that 45MP sensor.
^ This. Also, saw this earlier and wanted to jump in because I think some of you are being way too cautious about the light situation. Over the years, I've tried many setups in the PNW, and honestly, the f4 is too slow argument doesn't hold much water with a body as capable as the R5II. That sensor is a monster and Canon's IBIS is arguably the best in the business right now, especially compared to what I've seen from Sony lately. Before you commit to carrying the extra weight of the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM, I've got two questions for you:
- Are you planning on doing huge gallery-sized prints from this trip, or is this mostly for digital?
- Do you find yourself cropping deep into your shots often? In my experience, modern stabilization and noise reduction software make the one-stop difference almost negligible for landscapes. If you're cropping, that extra reach on the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM is actually gonna give you more usable pixels than digital zooming on a shorter lens. If you've shot older gear before, you'll notice Canon's stabilization really lets you push those shutter speeds lower than you'd expect even under a thick canopy. TL;DR: Don't let the f4 aperture scare you away from the more versatile zoom. Modern tech makes up for the light loss. But seriously, are you printing huge or cropping deep?
Congrats on the R5II! Seriously that body is a total beast and you are gonna absolutely love how the autofocus feels compared to older kits. I totally agree with those reviewers saying that the f4 zoom is the way to go for a trip like this. I have lugged gear through those exact PNW forests for years and honestly that extra reach is a total lifesaver when you spot wildlife or just want to compress a misty mountain landscape. Heres why I think that range wins for hiking:
- weight is everything when you are miles deep into a trail and your neck starts screaming
- the image stabilization on that new body is so insane you can shoot handheld even in dark woods
- high ISO performance on these sensors is so good that f4 really isnt the handicap it used to be I used to be a total f2.8 snob but modern tech has kind of changed the game for me. You are basically getting a massive focal range without breaking your back or your wallet even more than you already have lol. Plus the sharpness is fantastic even at 45MP... I have printed huge landscapes shot with it and they look crisp as hell. For a one-lens trip it is basically unbeatable because you will actually enjoy carrying the camera instead of leaving it in the hotel!
