So my husband and I recently saved up and bought the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. It was a huge splurge for us. We have a trip to Maine coming up next month for a family reunion and I really want to capture good photos of the kids running around and just general family moments. The problem is we bought just the camera body because a friend told us it is better to buy lenses separately. But now I am completely lost. I look at all these numbers like 24-70mm and f/2.8 or f/4 and my head just spins. I really dont know what any of it means to be honest.
We dont have a massive budget left after buying the camera. Maybe around 700 or 800 dollars at the absolute most. I just want one single lens that I can put on the camera and keep there for everyday stuff. I dont want to be swapping lenses while chasing a toddler around. I want something that can do a bit of everything - close ups of the kids faces, but also wider shots of the landscape or everyone sitting around the campfire at night. I read somewhere that some lenses are bad in low light and others are heavy, which scares me because I dont want to carry a giant brick around my neck all day.
Sorry if this is a really basic question but what is the best everyday lens for this camera that fits our budget and is easy for a beginner to use?
You absolutely need to get the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. It is the ultimate one-and-done lens for the R6 Mark II! Seriously, the constant f/4 aperture means your exposure stays consistent when you zoom, and the 5-stop optical image stabilization is fantastic for keeping those toddler action shots sharp. It weighs about 700 grams which is incredibly manageable for a pro-grade L-series lens. It retails for more new, but you can easily grab a refurbished or mint used copy right now for around 800 bucks. The weather sealing is amazing for Maine weather, and the Nano USM autofocus motor is lightning fast and completely silent. You get the 24mm wide angle for landscapes and 105mm telephoto for portraits. Just buy it and leave it on your camera!
I once ruined a family trip by carrying a heavy zoom all day. You might want to consider a lightweight prime lens instead to save your neck.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is tiny and great for low light campfires.
- It easily fits your budget. Just make sure to get a comfortable strap.
To add to the point above: the f/4L version is great but runs over budget new. I'd check MPB or KEH Camera for a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM to stay under that $800 limit. If you want something lighter, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is way cheaper and very compact, though it struggles a bit in low light.
Honestly, if you want one lens that just works, look at the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It is incredibly light, which is a massive win when you are chasing kids all day. The range covers everything from wide landscapes to decent portraits. You lose a little light at the 105mm end, but for daytime family stuff, it is fantastic value. If you really care about those campfire shots where the light gets dim, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is a total rockstar. It is super sharp and the f/1.8 aperture is amazing for blurred backgrounds and low light performance. It is way smaller than the zoom options too! You get better image quality with the prime, but you lose the ability to zoom. For a trip to Maine, the zoom lens is probably safer so you dont miss any candid moments. Either way, you are gonna love the photos from that R6 Mark II!
