I just dropped a massive amount of money on the new R5 Mark II and now I'm honestly panicking a bit about which lens to actually keep on it most of the time. I've got this huge trip to Kyoto coming up in three weeks and I really dont want to be switching lenses constantly in the middle of a crowded street. I was looking at the RF 24-70mm f2.8 L because everyone says it is the gold standard but then I saw some reviews saying the 24-105mm f4 is actually better for travel because of the extra reach.
But then I worry if the f4 is gonna be trash in low light for like night markets or if it can even keep up with the sensor resolution on the R5II. I read one guy saying the 24-105 is soft at the edges but another person said the 24-70 is way too heavy to lug around for ten miles a day. My head is spinning and I feel like I'm gonna make the wrong choice and regret it the whole trip. I've only got about 2200 dollars left in my gear budget after the body purchase so I can really only pick one "do it all" lens for now.
What do you guys think is actually the best all-around zoom that can handle the 45mp sensor without weighing me down too much?
i went through the exact same panic before my last trip and honestly i have been so satisfied with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. it really is the safest bet for travel. i was worried about the f4 aperture at first but the R5II sensor handles high ISO like a dream so it really doesnt matter as much as people say... no complaints from me. heres why it works so well:
- the weight difference is huge when youre walking 10 miles a day.
- 105mm lets you get those tight shots of temple details without moving.
- the image stabilization is basically magic for handheld night shots. dont overthink the f2.8 thing too much. for street stuff and travel, that extra zoom range is a total lifesaver. plus you will have plenty of cash left over for a nice dinner in Gion!
The Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM is an amazing choice.
- Provides superior versatility for your budget.
- Excellent focal range for Kyoto architecture. Love this pairing for the R5II tho!
> I feel like I'm gonna make the wrong choice and regret it. I've tried many setups over the years and while the 24-105 is a safe bet, the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM is really what that 45mp sensor deserves. Tbh weight is a major factor if you're walking ten miles. Quick question tho... are you shooting mostly handheld or bringing a tripod for those night markets? Knowing your style helps narrow it down before you spend that money.
^ This. Also, dont stress so much about the edge softness people whine about. Honestly, for travel, having the extra reach on the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM is worth way more than a slightly faster aperture. You're gonna be walking a ton in Kyoto and that weight difference becomes super noticeable after the first few hours. I used the same combo on my last trip and the R5II is so capable that you can just bump the ISO if you get into a dark spot and itll look totally fine. The lens stays on my camera 90 percent of the time because it just works. Dont overthink it and just enjoy the trip, you've got a killer setup.
