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

Question

What is the best walk-around lens for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II that wont make me regret my entire life choices? honestly im so fed up with the 24-105mm f/4-7.1 kit lens I got with the bundle its making me want to throw the whole thing in a lake even though im literally so excited to finally have this body. the autofocus on the r6ii is like magic but what does it matter if the glass is so dark and soft? as soon as I walk into a building or the sun starts setting even slightly the iso just goes nuts and everything looks grainy and gross. its frustrating because i know this camera can do better.

im planning this massive trip to Tokyo and Kyoto in about three weeks and I really need to figure this out before I go because i do NOT want to be carrying a bag full of lenses through the subways. i need one single lens that can handle street photography at night and some wide shots of temples during the day. my budget is sitting around 1500 dollars but i might be able to squeeze out 1800 if it means i never have to buy another lens for this thing. im looking at a few options but cant decide:

RF 24-70mm f2.8 L

RF 24-105mm f4 L

A mix of the 35mm and 85mm primes

is the 24-70mm f2.8 worth the extra weight or is it gonna kill my neck after walking ten miles? i was also looking at the f4 version of the 24-105 but im worried i'll just be frustrated with the aperture again even though it is a constant f4. i even thought about just getting a 35mm prime but then i feel like id miss the reach for architectural details. i tried using an adapter with my old ef 50mm and it felt so clunky and weirdly balanced on the r6ii body so im definitely looking for native rf glass only. i just want something sharp that feels like it belongs on a professional camera... what are you guys actually using?

Archer Scott Holmes · Accepted Answer

To add to the point above: I actually made the mistake of settling for the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM first because I wanted the extra 35mm on the long end. Unfortunately, it just wasnt as good as expected for those moody night shots in Kyoto. f4 is fine for landscapes, but once you lose the sun, the R6II has to work way too hard. I hated seeing my shots get muddy because the glass just wasnt fast enough. It was pretty disappointing after spending that much cash on something that still felt limited. The technical reality is that f2.8 lets in twice as much light as f4. That is the difference between a clean shot at ISO 3200 and a grainy mess at 6400 or higher. For street photography, you really need that speed. I eventually traded it in for the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM. Its heavy, yeah, but it balances better on the R6II than an adapted EF lens does. You won't need a bag of primes if you have this, though your shoulder might hate you by the end of the trip. TL;DR: Dont waste money on f4 zooms if you're already annoyed with low light. The f2.8 L is the only single-lens solution that actually delivers on what that sensor can do, even if it is a bit of a brick to carry.

Jacob William Carter · Answer

Unfortunately, I had issues with bulky zooms ruining the vibe of a trip. They arent as good as expected for your neck after ten miles. Honestly, if you want one lens to rule them all, just grab the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM. It is light, fast for night shots, and way under budget. Just use your feet to zoom in and youll be fine...

autumn.francis · Answer

Unfortunately, I had issues with the f4 version since it wasnt as good as expected for night shots tho.Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM Its heavy, but offers truly professional sharpness.