Unfortunately, cheap kit lenses are not as good as expected for travel. Get the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM instead. Its versatile and covers all those confusing numbers easily!

In my experience, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is the most reliable choice. Its a professional workhorse and you dont want to bottleneck a great camera with cheap glass.

• Constant f/4 aperture keeps exposure simple while learning.
• Weather-sealing is vital for safety when traveling. Look for a used or refurbished unit to stay under that 900 dollar limit. Its basically the only lens you will need for Italy.

Dont sweat it, we all start somewhere and the R6 Mark II is an absolute beast of a camera to start with. Since your budget is 900 bucks, you actually have a couple decent options that wont break the bank or your back. If you want a versatile range, the 24-105mm focal length is usually the sweet spot for travel. I personally think the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is a solid entry point because its tiny and weighs almost nothing. The downside is it doesnt let in a ton of light when you zoom in, so those sunset shots in Rome might get a bit grainy. Quick tip for the numbers: lower f-numbers like f/1.8 or f/2.8 mean more light and more of that blurry background everyone loves for portraits. Higher numbers like f/7.1 mean the <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= opposite&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=2222&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">opposite. If you can find a deal on a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, that would be my pick. Its sharper and has better weather sealing for when it inevitably rains in Venice. Definitely check out the reviews on The Digital Picture or watch some videos by Christopher Frost on YouTube. They do a great job explaining the technical stuff without being too boring. You could also grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for super cheap as a backup for dinner shots... its tiny enough to fit in a pocket.

Like someone mentioned, it really is a shock when you realize the camera body is basically just a paperweight until you drop even more money. Honestly its a total scam how much gear costs now. I went through the exact same thing and felt so let down when I realized my big investment was only half-finished. I remember taking a new setup out and being so disappointed because for the price of a used car, the lens felt like a hollow plastic toy. It drives me crazy how the industry is going:

• Prices keep climbing while the actual build quality feels cheaper every year
• You spend a fortune and still have to worry if a tiny bit of dust will ruin the internals
• Customer service just acts like its your fault if the gear doesn't hold up Unfortunately, I have had issues with almost every piece of gear I have bought recently. It feels like companies just dont care about making things reliable anymore. You try to be careful and do your research, but you still end up feeling like a walking wallet for these brands. Its such a headache when you just want to take photos of your trip without worrying about your equipment failing.