Ive been shooting with the R6ii for a few months now and honestly its been a beast for my sports work, but Im stuck using my old EF glass with the adapter. Its getting annoying and I need something native for a shoot in Philly next weekend. Budget is around 1200 bucks max.
- Needs to be sharp enough for indoor court lighting
- Autofocus speed is the top priority for me
- Compact if possible but I can deal with a bit of weight
Is the 24-105mm F4 L actually worth the hype for general stuff or should I just grab a prime? Ive got a wedding coming up too and really dont wanna be swapping glass constantly...
Honestly, I used to rely on my EF adapter for ages until I picked up a used Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. It changed my workflow completely for weddings. If you stick with zooms, maybe grab the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM if you need budget room for a fast prime like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Primes are way better for indoor sports lighting
- Zoom swapping gets old fast
- Native AF is just faster
If you are doing indoor court stuff and weddings, honestly the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is solid but that f/4 aperture might struggle a bit when the gym lighting is dim. It is a workhorse though, very sharp and the AF is super snappy since its native. For 1200 bucks, you could maybe hunt for a used copy to save cash. If you really need that extra light for weddings, maybe look at the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. It is tiny and way cheaper, which leaves room in your budget for a backup or maybe a faster prime later. Dont stress too much, the adapter works fine but having one native lens in the bag for that Philly trip will definitely make your life easier.
Like someone mentioned, the f/4 aperture is definitely the weak spot for sports in those dark gyms. If you really want that wedding convenience without losing too much light, you should seriously look at the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM if you can find it used, or just grab the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for those gorgeous portraits. Here is what I would do for your setup:
- The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is basically a permanent fixture on my body for events, just embrace the higher ISOs since the R6ii handles noise so well.
- If you need speed, just get the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM as a backup because it is dirt cheap and stupidly sharp. Honestly, for Philly next weekend, stick to the zoom so you dont miss shots swapping gear. You'll love it.