17/03/2026 2:40 pm
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honestly I am so frustrated right now because I just dropped nearly four grand on the R5 Mark II and I feel like I am fighting my equipment more than I am actually shooting. I have been using some older EF glass with the adapter and it is just so clunky and heavy and half the time the autofocus feels like it is hunting when it should be locking on instantly and its driving me crazy.
I am supposed to be heading to Kyoto for a two week trip in about three weeks and I really do not want to be carrying a bag full of primes or struggling with this heavy setup while I am trying to enjoy the scenery. I need one lens that can basically do it all because I am tired of missing shots while I am swapping lenses in the wind. I have been looking at the RF 24-70mm f2.8 but it is pricey and then there is that massive 28-70mm which looks amazing but I think my wrist would literally snap off after an hour.
Budget is tight now after buying the body but I can probably swing another 2k if it means I never have to take the thing off my camera. What do you guys think is the best all-around lens for the R5 Mark II that wont make me regret my entire life?
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17/03/2026 2:40 pm
Honestly you might want to consider the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM for your trip. Since weight is a concern, those f2.8 zooms are gonna feel heavy after walking around Kyoto. I would suggest prioritizing the extra reach over the wider aperture. Its much more cost-effective and the autofocus is incredibly fast, which should resolve the hunting issues youre having with your current setup.
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17/03/2026 3:45 pm
Quick reply while I have a sec! If you want a lens that basically stays glued to your camera for the whole trip you have to check out the Canon RF 24-240mm f4-6.3 IS USM. I know it is not an L-series lens but honestly the results are fantastic for travel photography! It is way lighter than those f2.8 zooms and gives you so much more reach for those tight Kyoto streets and temples. Pro tip: just lean into the R5 Mark II's amazing high ISO performance and you wont even miss the extra stop of light. Being able to go from wide angle to 240mm without swapping glass is a total game changer when you are trying to actually enjoy the scenery. It is super reliable and way cheaper than the 24-70... leaves you more money for amazing food in Gion! Totally worth it for the peace of mind.
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17/03/2026 3:15 pm
Are you shooting mostly handheld at night?
- Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM gives you 8-stops combined IS.
- Tracking trains in Kyoto was effortless because Nano USM is way faster than EF.
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27/03/2026 3:41 am
> What do you guys think is the best all-around lens for the R5 Mark II that wont make me regret my entire life? Just saw this and man, I totally feel your pain. I went through this exact same thing before a big trip last year. I ended up buying the heavy one everyone swears by because I thought it would be the ultimate solution, but it was just so frustrating to use in the field. Unfortunately it just didnt perform how I expected for the price tag. I had issues with the autofocus hunting in low light even though people said it was perfect, and the weight really does kill the vibe after a few miles of walking. I actually missed some incredible shots because the gear I had was just too clunky to pull out of my bag quickly. It was super disappointing to spend all that cash and still feel like I couldnt trust the equipment when it mattered most. Reliability is basically everything when youre traveling, and honestly, the setup I chose just made me stressed the whole time... I have learned that sometimes the big expensive options are just more headache than they are worth if they dont feel right in your hands.
