What is the best landscape lens for Canon EOS R5 Mark II?

Question

I finally bit the bullet and grabbed the R5 Mark II but now I am kind of freaking out because I leave for my trip to Iceland in literally two weeks and I still havent settled on a wide angle lens. I’ve been saving for this trip for years and really want to get those epic waterfall and coast shots. I spent a ton of time reading reviews and I’m torn between the RF 14-35mm f4 L and the 15-35mm f2.8 L.

14-35mm: people say it's better for hiking because it's light and that extra 1mm is huge

15-35mm: supposed to be better for astro if the northern lights show up

My main worry is that with the 45 megapixels on this sensor is the f4 version going to be sharp enough across the frame? Or am I gonna regret not having that faster glass if the weather gets moody and dark like it usually does in the north? I have about $2200 left in my gear budget for this and I dont want to waste it on something that won't do the body justice. Should I just go for the f2.8 for the light or is the weight of the 14-35 actually a lifesaver when trekking through the wind?

lesrealtalks · Accepted Answer

Adding my two cents, I'm super satisfied with the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM. Honestly, you save a lot of cash and it holds up well on that sensor...

14-35mm: lighter for hiking, way cheaper.

15-35mm: f/2.8 is great but kinda heavy for trekking.

Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM: cool wide alternative. Check out The Digital Picture for sharpness tests. Iceland wind is brutal so lighter is usually better!

theo.schwartz · Answer

I remember lugging heavy glass through the Alps and totally regretted it! Instead, snag the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM and use the extra cash for a Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM for those northern lights.

f4 is sharp enough for any sensor

Save $1000 for Icelands insane prices

Smaller setup for windy cliffs Your wallet and back will thank you... seriously! Its the best way to get quality without going broke.

Parker William Perry · Answer

Re: "I remember lugging heavy glass through the Alps..."

I totally agree with that sentiment. Honestly, you might want to be careful because this reminds me of a cautionary tale involving a colleague of mine who planned a similar trek. He spent months obsessing over his kit, weighing every single gram to make sure he was prepared for the terrain. He finally settled on a very expensive setup, but he was so focused on the technical specs that he didn't realize his insurance didn't cover international transit for high-end electronics. When he got to his destination, his main gear bag was accidentally dropped on the tarmac during unloading. Since he hadn't double-checked the fine print on his policy, he was basically stuck in a foreign country with broken glass and no way to replace it without paying full price again. He spent more time on the phone with his bank and trying to find a repair shop than he did actually taking photos. It turned into this huge ordeal that really ruined the mood of the whole trip. TL;DR: Logistics and insurance are just as important as the gear itself, as travel mishaps can derail your plans regardless of which lens you choose.