Adding my two cents here because those Zion hikes can get brutal if your packs too heavy. I would suggest being cautious about the technical trade-offs with the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM. While that extra 1mm at the wide end sounds minor, it actually provides a significantly wider field of view for those big canyon walls. However, make sure to look at the raw files before corrections; it relies heavily on digital processing to fix massive vignetting and barrel distortion at 14mm. Ngl, the uncorrected corners are basically black at the widest setting. I would suggest comparing these specific technical points before you buy:

• Weight and Portability: The f/4 version is roughly 540g compared to the 840g of the f/2.8 zoom. Carrying an extra 300g up to Angels Landing is definitely something you will feel by the afternoon.
• Optical Quality: Honestly, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is more consistent across the frame at wider apertures. The f/4 is sharp, but it really peaks around f/8 for landscape work.
• Astro Potential: If you think youll ever want to shoot the Milky Way, you might want to consider the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM as a tiny, lightweight prime to supplement the f/4 zoom if you go that route. If youre strictly on a tripod at sunrise, the f/4 is basically a no-brainer for saving weight. But if you really want that gold standard feel, the f/2.8 is the one to beat... just be prepared for the extra bulk and the price tag.

^ This. Also, summarizing the thread... basically it is weight vs aperture. I am really happy with the f/4 and havent had any complaints. To save cash:

• Find a refurbished Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
• Grab a tiny Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM for astro This setup works well and is lighter! Let me know if you need help finding gear deals.

Be careful choosing the f/4 zoom if you have any interest in astro while youre in Zion. While its lighter for hiking, that extra stop is critical for keeping sensor noise down at night. I would suggest checking a few technical specs first:

• Corner sharpness at f/4 versus f/5.6
• Flare resistance when shooting into the sun
• Physical weight versus your tripod capacity Basically, dont ignore the light gathering loss just to save a few grams... you might regret it during blue hour.

> Does that extra stop of light really matter if Im mostly on a tripod at sunrise? Honestly, be super careful with the f/4 zoom tho! I totally disagree with the idea of just relying on software to fix those images later. Zion is literal magic and you dont want to get home only to find out your corners are muddy because the digital corrections stretched them too far! If youre on a tripod at sunrise, sure, f/8 is king. But what about when the wind kicks up in the Narrows and you need a faster shutter speed to freeze motion? I had a lens fail me once because I thought weight was everything, and man, I regretted it so much. Stick with the high-end glass if you can swing it! The build quality on the f/2.8 is just on another level and much more reliable when you're out in the elements for a week straight. Plus, changing lenses in the desert? Such a bad idea. Dust is gonna get all over that R5 sensor if you try to swap between a zoom and that tiny prime mentioned above. Stick to one amazing, weather-sealed lens and call it a day! You wont regret the extra weight when you see those crisp shots!