So I finally pulled the trigger on the R5 and Im literally so hyped to start using this beast but now Im totally stuck on which zoom to get to just leave on the camera most of the time. I spent like three hours reading reviews last night and everyone says the RF 24-70mm f2.8L is basically the gold standard but then I see other people swearing by the 24-105mm f4L because of the extra reach and the lighter weight for hiking. I'm gonna be heading to Iceland next month for a big solo trip and I really dont want to be swapping lenses in the wind and rain every five minutes so I need something that can handle everything from landscapes to street stuff.
My main hangups:
- I have about $2300 saved up so the 24-70 is really pushing my budget to the limit
- I'm worried the f4 might be too slow for some moody indoor shots or if I stay out late for the lights
- Is the 24-105 sharp enough for the R5 sensor or am I wasting the 45 megapixels?
I keep going back and forth because some people say the 24-105 is just a glorified kit lens while others say its the best travel companion ever made. I really want that one do it all lens that wont make my neck ache after a 10 mile hike but I also dont want to regret not having that f2.8 bokeh when I need it. What are you guys actually using as your daily driver on the R5?
I check The-Digital-Picture for seal tests. My Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM survived Iceland because its reach meant no lens swaps in grit... just be careful with that wind, tho.
Just found this thread and wanted to add a bit of a cost-conscious perspective. @Reply #2 - good point! BubabujalkaLaR is right about the environmental factors. Having shot in similar conditions, I can say that keeping your sensor sealed in the Icelandic wind is worth more than a stop of light. I've tried many lenses on this body and the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM is a very capable daily driver. Woodrowneacy mentioned the sensor highlights flaws, but in my experience, the f4 L-series glass holds up remarkably well against the R5's 45MP sensor. People worry about f4 being slow, but with the R5's incredible ISO performance and IBIS, you can easily get clean, moody shots. The Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM gives you a few key advantages:
- Better reach for landscapes (105mm vs 70mm)
- Significant weight savings for your 10-mile hikes
- Over $1000 in savings for other gear Id suggest using that leftover cash for a Peak Design Slide Camera Strap to save your neck and maybe a Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM for those low light situations. That combo is much more versatile for a solo traveler than just one heavy zoom.
Quick question tho... are you planning on taking a tripod for those late-night shots or are you hoping to do everything handheld? I had a similar dilemma before a trip to the Pacific Northwest last year. I ended up bringing a really heavy f/2.8 zoom from another system because I was convinced I needed the speed for the dark forest canopy. Honestly? I regretted it by day three. My neck was absolutely trashed and I found myself constantly wishing I had more reach for the waterfalls I couldnt get close to. I realized that for the vast majority of my landscape shots, I was stopped down to f/8 or f/11 anyway, so the heavy pro aperture was just dead weight in my pack. Some brands really prioritize that wide aperture, but I learned the hard way that reach and weight often matter more in the field. A few things I would suggest you be careful about:
- the balance of a heavy lens can make the R5 feel really front-heavy on a long hike
- high-res sensors are totally unforgiving if your shutter speed isnt high enough when youre shooting handheld
- changing lenses in the rain is way more stressful than you think itll be I really want to help you make the right choice because Iceland is a literal dream trip. Just make sure to consider if you would rather have the extra reach or that one extra stop of light when you are tired and wet after a 10 mile trek. It might be worth thinking about how much you actually plan to shoot wide open.
Commenting to find later
From a technical standpoint, that 45MP sensor really highlights any optical flaws. I've noticed f/4 zooms are decent but they sometimes struggle to resolve fine detail compared to faster glass. Be careful with diffraction if you're stopping down too far. Personally, I'd go with the f/2.8 because those dim Icelandic skies are brutal. You dont want to be pushing ISO 6400 constantly just to get a usable shot.
> Regarding what #3 said about "Just found this thread and wanted to add..."
- I am actually in the exact same boat right now and it is honestly driving me a bit crazy. I have been staring at my R5 for weeks trying to decide on one lens for my upcoming trip to the coast and I am just as stuck as you are. I had a really disappointing experience last year with a non-weather-sealed lens where just a bit of salt spray basically ruined the internal zoom ring mechanics... it felt like the grit just ate through the gaskets. It is so frustrating because even the high-end glass feels a bit more delicate than the old EF tanks we used to carry around. Honestly if you want it to survive the weather just go with any L-series zoom from Canon. You really can't go wrong with their pro line glass when it comes to reliability and sealing even if the optical compromises are a total headache. Just stick with the Canon pro lenses and hope the seals hold up better than mine did.
Would love to know this too
