I just upgraded to the R5 Mark II after years on the older bodies and man, the autofocus is insane but I'm hitting a major wall with my lens choice for an upcoming trip. I'm leaving for a two-week trek through Japan in like 22 days and I am totally overthinking what glass to bring. Normally I'm a three primes in the bag kind of person but my back has been acting up lately and I really just want to stick to one single do-it-all lens that won't make me regret leaving the rest of my kit at home.
The problem is the R5II sensor is so demanding. I tried my old EF 24-105 with the adapter and it felt... okay? But kind of unbalanced and maybe a bit soft in the corners now that I'm pixel peeping more. I have about $2,600 left in my gear budget for this year and I need something that can handle everything from the cramped streets in Shinjuku to the temples in Kyoto. I'm worried that if I go with something too heavy like the 28-70 f2 I'm gonna be miserable by day three, but if I go too consumer I'm wasting the potential of this body.
Here is what I am looking for:
- Sharpness is key since I plan on doing some big prints later
- Fast focus for street photography and random cats (priorities, right?)
- Decent low light performance for those neon-lit alleyways
- Weather sealing is a must because the forecast looks pretty damp
I keep looking at the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L because it seems like the obvious choice but is 70mm enough reach for travel? Then there is the 24-105mm f/4L which has the reach but I'm scared I'll miss that extra stop of light when the sun goes down. I even considered the 24-240mm for a second but that feels like putting cheap tires on a Ferrari... or is it actually okay? I'm honestly spiraling a bit here and the departure date is getting closer...
Just saw this thread... I went through this exact technical spiral last year when I got my body. I ended up with the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM and I have been very satisfied with the micro-contrast and edge-to-edge performance on the high-res sensor. If you look at the MTF charts, it really outperforms the 24-105mm f/4 at the wider focal lengths. Japan is surprisingly dark in those narrow Shinjuku alleys, and while IBIS helps with static shots, it wont stop motion blur from people walking by. That extra stop at f/2.8 is huge for keeping your ISO within a clean range for those big prints. It weighs about 900g so its not a feather, but it balances perfectly on the R5II without an adapter clunking things up. Honestly, the 24-240mm is gonna let you down if you're pixel peeping... the chromatic aberration and corner shading on a 45MP sensor are pretty rough once you look closely.
Ngl, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is usually the smart move here. Its technically very capable on high-res sensors and significantly lighter on the wallet. Saving over a thousand bucks compared to the f/2.8 lenses leaves you plenty for actual travel experiences. The IS is solid for those neon shots, and the 105mm reach is much better for temple details anyway... definitely the best value option.
Ngl I have been having this exact same internal crisis for like two months now while planning a long trek. I am so happy with how the Canon EOS R5 Mark II works well for my daily stuff, but picking just one lens for a big trip is stressful when you prioritize reliability. Usually I have no complaints once I pick my kit, but I am just not 100% satisfied that any of the usual suspects are the right call for a single-lens setup.
- my back has been acting up lately too so weight is a massive factor
- I am super picky about corner sharpness for big prints
- weather sealing is a must since I wont be babying the gear Tbh it is just exhausting trying to find that one safe lens that doesn't feel like a compromise on a body this nice. I have looked at the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and I just dont feel satisfied that either is the definitive answer yet... I am right there with you, just spiraling as the departure date gets closer.
Regarding what #4 said about "Ngl I have been having this exact same..."
- I am completely on the same page! Choosing gear for a major trip is always such a high-energy challenge! I have to politely disagree with the suggestion to use adapted EF lenses or third-party options though. When traveling to Japan, especially with a damp forecast, the safety and reliability of a native RF system is just fantastic! I approach my kit with a safety-first methodology. The weather sealing on native Canon RF L-series glass is engineered to integrate perfectly with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II body. Using the native system provides the most secure physical connection and the fastest communication protocols! I love the peace of mind this gives you while shooting in unpredictable environments. Sticking strictly to the Canon ecosystem is the best way to ensure the equipment remains protected and functional for the duration of your travel! It is an amazing feeling knowing your gear is completely synchronized and safe!
I'm so glad I played it safe with these in rainy Tokyo! They're fantastic!
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS: Amazing reach!
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS: Love the night shots!
