What is the best all-around zoom lens for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?

Question

What is the best all-around zoom lens for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II because honestly im fed up with my current setup. I spent a fortune on this body but I'm still using an adapted EF 24-70 and its just too heavy and feels so sluggish for such an expensive camera. I took it out for a shoot in Seattle last weekend and missed so many shots because the focus kept hunting... it's just so annoying and I feel like I'm wasting the sensor.

I need one solid RF lens that stays on the camera 90% of the time for travel and family stuff. My budget is around $2500 and I need to buy it before my trip next month but I cant decide if the f2.8 is worth the extra weight over the 24-105 or if there is something else I'm missing...

BenThats · Accepted Answer

> I cant decide if the f2.8 is worth the extra weight over the 24-105 or if there is something else I'm missing... Just catching up on this thread! Honestly i have a slightly different take than some of the pros here. While the f2.8 is an absolute beast for bokeh, i strongly believe you should prioritize the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM for travel and family stuff! It is such a fantastic piece of glass and the weight savings are huge when youre walking around Seattle or chasing kids... you dont want to be lugging around a brick all day. The technical side of the R5 Mark II is where it gets really exciting tho. When you pair that body with a native RF lens, the Nano USM motors are incredibly fast. You wont get that hunting you mentioned with your adapted setup because the communication is basically instant. Plus, you get up to 8 stops of coordinated image stabilization when the lens IS works with the IBIS. That is a massive safety net for handheld shots in low light! If you really think you need that low light edge, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is amazing, but it is significantly heavier and more expensive. Tbh, i love the extra 35mm of reach on the long end for family shots. It gives you so much more flexibility without needing to swap lenses constantly. It is the safer, more reliable choice for 90% of situations!

RickHarvestHep · Answer

> it's just so annoying and I feel like I'm wasting the sensor. Honestly, putting an old EF lens on the R5 Mark II is like putting budget tires on a supercar... it works, but you aren't getting the cornering speed. The native RF mount uses a 12-pin communication system compared to the 8-pin on your old EF adapter. This allows the camera to process lens corrections and AF data significantly faster, which is why your current setup feels sluggish and hunts. If you want the absolute best optics and have a $2500 budget, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is the standard pick. It usually runs about $2,399. It features dual Nano USM motors that are essentially instant for stills. The weight is roughly 900g, which is chunky, but that f/2.8 aperture is huge if you shoot family events indoors. For a 90% travel lens tho, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is technically more versatile for most.

Weight: 700g (much easier on the neck)

Reach: 105mm gives you much better compression for portraits

Stabilization: Up to 8 stops coordinated control with your R5II sensor If you dont do a ton of low light work, the f/4 is plenty and saves you a grand. But if you want to stop the hunting for good and maximize that 45MP sensor, the 24-70 f/2.8 is the one to get before your trip. It will feel like a totally different camera... trust me.

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What is the best all-around zoom lens for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?