15/03/2026 12:41 pm
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So I finally upgraded to the R6 Mark II a few months back and I am absolutely loving the autofocus, its a total game changer compared to my old 5D, but I am hitting a bit of a wall with my lens setup for an upcoming trip. Im headed to Tokyo and Osaka in about three weeks and I really dont want to be that guy lugging around a giant camera bag or swapping lenses every five minutes while my wife stands there waiting for me to find my 50mm prime in the bottom of my pack.
Ive been using my old EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II with the adapter for basically everything the last few years. Its a beast of a lens and the glass is incredible but man it is heavy when you add the adapter. After a full day of shooting my wrist actually starts to ache and I feel like a total tourist target with that massive setup hanging off my neck. I need something that can handle everything from tight alleyways and neon signs at night to some zoom for detail shots on the temples. My main priorities are basically:
- Weight (needs to be manageable for 10+ miles of walking)
- Versatility (dont want to swap lenses in the rain)
- Low light performance for those Shinjuku night shots
I was looking at the RF 24-105mm f/4 L because it seems like the gold standard for travel, but then I saw the RF 24-240mm and the reach on that is tempting for those shots where I cant get close. My worry is the image quality though... I'm used to that L-series sharpness and I dont want to get home and realize half my shots are soft or have crazy distortion. Then there is the 24-105mm STM which is super light but the f/7.1 at the long end sounds kind of depressing for low light stuff.
Budget is around $1200 but I could maybe stretch it if there is a lens I am missing. Is the f/4 constant aperture on the 24-105 really that much better for street stuff compared to the variable aperture zooms once the R6 II ISO kicks in? I know this sensor handles noise like a champ but I am torn on whether to prioritize the extra reach or the consistent glass. What are you guys actually using when you want to travel light but still get professional results...
6 Answers
12
15/03/2026 1:05 pm
I'd actually be careful about going for the L-series just because of the name. I would suggest the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM instead. It's half the weight and honestly the R6 II sensor handles high ISO so well that f/7.1 isnt a dealbreaker. Just make sure to think if that extra weight is really worth it for those 10-mile days... just my two cents tho.
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15/03/2026 12:41 pm
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. Since you are used to L glass, the 24-240mm might annoy you with corner softness. The 700g weight is much better than your adapted EF setup. Plus, the constant f/4 and weather sealing are clutch for rainy days in Osaka. The R6 II sensor handles high ISO well, but f/4 keeps your shutter speeds usable at night... its basically the perfect compromise.
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30/03/2026 7:42 am
tl;dr: still looking for the 'perfect' setup myself... the current rf catalog is honestly a letdown for travel-specific glass. i feel your pain on the weight thing, it's so frustrating. i've spent way too much time analyzing mtf charts and weight distributions, but unfortunately every option feels like a massive compromise. i even tried a diy counterweight setup for my bag to balance out my Canon EOS R6 Mark II but it didn't really help with the wrist fatigue. it's just a bummer that we're stuck choosing between heavy 'pro' glass or plastic stuff with apertures that are frankly depressing for night street work. quick question tho to help me get where you're coming from... what's your actual limit for iso noise before the shots feel unusable to you? and are you planning on printing these large, or is this mostly for digital/social stuff where you can hide some of the lens flaws?
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15/03/2026 1:05 pm
Late to the party but i've been through this exact dilemma. In my experience, once you're used to L-series glass, the non-L zooms feel like a major step back in color and contrast. The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM has great reach but the barrel distortion is pretty wild without heavy software correction. No point having a high-end body just to put average glass on it. Here is the play for Tokyo:
- Stick with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. The Nano USM is way faster than your old EF gear for tracking people in crowds.
- If you're worried about low light, just lean on that sensor. I've shot f/4 at ISO 12800 on the R6 II and it's cleaner than my old 5D at 3200. It's way lighter than your adapted setup... your wrist wont be screaming at you after day three in Osaka.
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27/03/2026 2:41 am
Saving this thread
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29/03/2026 11:40 am
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
