honestly im so done with carrying three different lenses around every time i go to the park with my kids. i bought the R6 thinking it would be easy but ive just been fumbling with caps and missing shots while everyone is already walking away. I have the 50mm but its too tight indoors and my kit lens is just mushy.
spent all this money on a nice body and my photos look like they came from an old phone if the sun isnt out. i need one lens that stays on the camera for everything or im gonna end up selling the whole kit. i got a family trip in two weeks and my budget is around $1000. whats the best all-rounder for the R6?
You might want to consider the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM. I almost quit too, but found bulky zooms were my real enemy. Just be careful, you might miss the extra reach!
For your $1000 budget, look for a refurbished or used Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM. Its constant f4 aperture handles lower light much better than the variable kit lens, and the 5-stop image stabilization paired with the R6 IBIS gives you clean shots. The 24mm end is wide enough for indoor family shots, and the USM motor is fast enough for kids.
Building on the earlier suggestion, that 24-105mm f4 is a great workhorse, but honestly f4 might still feel too slow indoors with fast kids. The R6 sensor is great in low light, but you still end up compromising on shutter speed. If you want those clean indoor shots, adapting a cheaper EF 2.8 zoom or sticking to a fast prime is usually the better budget route.
Re: "You might want to consider the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM" - honestly i feel your pain so much. i went through the exact same thing with my r6. i started with the kit lens and thought i was losing my mind because my photos were always blurry when i wasnt outside. i eventually picked up the Canon RF 24-105mm f4-7.1 IS STM just to have something more versatile, but it didnt fix the light issue. if you really want to stop swapping glass, just grab the Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM and be done with it. yeah its heavy, but its a tank and it actually focuses fast enough to track my kids running around. i know the budget is tight, but if you look for a used copy, you can usually find it closer to your range. honestly, just buy it and stop overthinking the gear so you can actually enjoy the trip with your family.
Quick reply while I have a sec... ditch the heavy zooms and grab something that wont break the bank or your back.
- Look into the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art via an EF adapter or keep an eye out for used EF L-series glass. Canon EF glass works amazingly well on the R6 via the cheap adapter, and you get that crucial f2.8 light gathering for indoor kid chaos.
- Check MPB or KEH right now. You can easily find a used Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM well under your $1000 budget if you shop smart. Don't sell the R6 yet! Just need the right glass to make it fun again.