What are you guys using for a budget zoom on the R5 that actually keeps up with the sensor? I just finally made the jump from my trusty 5D Mark IV and wow the eye tracking is insane but I definitely blew my whole budget on the body itself. Now im staring at these RF L series prices and my wallet is crying lol.
I have a trip to the Rockies coming up in three weeks and really need something versatile but sharp enough so I dont waste all those megapixels. I tried adapting my old EF 70-300 but the AF hunt was driving me nuts. Looking for something under $800 that wont break my back on a trail. Maybe the 24-105 non-L or something from a third party?
- budget: $800 max
- location: Colorado hiking trip
- timeline: 3 weeks
What am I missing?
I just spent a week hiking with the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM on my R5 and honestly, I was kinda let down. After buying it because I wanted one lens to do everything, the sensor on the R5 proved to be just too demanding for it. When I got home and finally looked at my shots from the trail, the corners were super soft and the distortion was wild before the camera corrected it. It felt like I was wasting that expensive body on glass that couldnt keep up. If youre worried about those R5 megapixels, you gotta be careful with these all-in-one zooms. I learned the hard way that convenience usually means compromises:
- The Nano USM focus is actually really fast, way better than your old EF 70-300, so it tracks eyes well even in deep woods.
- Unfortunately, the lack of weather sealing made me nervous every time it misted. I had to baby it way too much for a hiking lens.
- The weight is surprisingly heavy for a non-L lens. My neck was killing me after four miles on a steep grade. I actually ended up returning it and grabbing a used Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Its an older setup, but it handles the high resolution way better than the cheap RF glass. Its disappointing that the native budget RF options feel so plastic-y and compromise so much on image quality just to hit a price point. Just make sure you get the official Canon adapter or the AF might hunt like your old lens did...
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is reliable but slow.
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is sharp tho dark. Im satisfied with these for hiking, works well...
@Reply #3 - good point! Checking the refurb store is a solid strategy for getting L glass within that budget. If you cant find a deal before the trip tho, prioritize the AF motor tech to ensure the R5 stays reliable. Quick tips for the trail:
- Prioritize Nano USM motors. The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM uses this tech and it tracks way faster than adapted EF glass or basic STM zooms.
- Use the sweet spot. If you go with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM, shooting around f/8 is a decent option to keep the corners sharp on that sensor. Native RF communication is just way better for the tracking system... honestly, adapting budget EF zooms is usually where people run into focus hunting issues.
I would suggest checking the Canon refurbished store daily for a Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM deal. It sometimes hits $799 and gives you that peace of mind regarding quality. Be careful with cheaper glass on that 45MP sensor... it might look soft. For hiking, maybe consider the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM as a lighter, budget-friendly choice that handles landscapes well.
