What is the best all-around lens for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on the R6 Mark II but now I am totally stuck on the lens choice. I did some digging and everyone says the 24-70mm f/2.8 L is the must-have but it is like $2300 and heavy as a brick which isnt great for my two-week trip to Italy next month.

Then I was thinking about the 24-105mm f/4 because of the extra reach but my logic was that f/4 might be too slow for those narrow dim streets at night and I really dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while traveling. My budget is around $2000 max. Is the 24-70 really worth the extra weight or is there some secret middle ground I am missing...?

Callum · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, my experience with the f/2.8 was not as good as expected because of the bulk. Get the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM instead; your R6 low light performance is plenty.

greenwichvillager · Answer

Saw this earlier but just now responding. Honestly, you might want to consider the physical toll of carrying heavy gear for two weeks. I did a trip through Tuscany with a bulky f/2.8 setup and by day four, I was leaving the camera in the hotel room because my shoulder was shot. It kinda ruins the experience when the gear feels like a chore. A few technical things you should be careful about:

Make sure to check the balance on your R6 Mark II; a front-heavy lens can really strain your wrist after a few hours of shooting.

Be careful with your ISO settings in those dim streets; even with a slower lens, modern sensors handle noise pretty well if you expose correctly.

Watch out for lens creep if you carry the camera on a strap; some larger zooms tend to slide out while you walk. I would suggest prioritizing your comfort over that extra stop of light. Those Italian hills are no joke.