I'm planning a backpacking trip through Europe and just got a Canon R6 Mark II. I'm looking for recommendations on a versatile travel lens that's lightweight but offers good image quality. I enjoy shooting landscapes, street scenes, and occasional portraits. My budget is around $1500. What's the best all-around lens for my needs?
As an avid Canon EOS R6 Mark II user, I've experimented with various lenses for travel photography. The RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is indeed a versatile option, offering an impressive zoom range in a relatively compact package. However, I understand the desire for a weather-sealed version with improved optics.
The RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is an excellent alternative for challenging conditions, albeit with a shorter reach. For those prioritizing image quality and durability over zoom range, this lens is hard to beat.
For longer reach, the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM provides excellent versatility in a lightweight form factor. While it lacks weather sealing, your improvised rain shield solution is clever and practical.
Ultimately, the "best" travel lens depends on your specific needs and shooting style. A combination of the 24-105mm f/4L and 100-400mm might offer the ideal balance of quality, versatility, and weather protection for many travelers.
If budget is a concern, consider the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM. While not L-series quality, it's much lighter and gives you massive zoom range in a single lens. Perfect when you don't want to carry multiple lenses while traveling. Image quality is surprisingly good for a superzoom.
RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Canon+6535C002+RF28+70mm+F2+8+STM&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50
Consider the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L + RF 70-200mm f/2.8L combo if you don't mind carrying two lenses. I know it's heavier, but the image quality is phenomenal and f/2.8 gives you so much more flexibility in low light situations. Great for both landscapes and street photography.