Best versatile travel lens for a Canon EOS R6 Mark II?

Question

So I finally swapped my trusty old 5D for the R6 Mark II a few months back and honestly the autofocus is magic compared to what I'm used to. But here is where I'm getting stuck. I'm heading to Japan in about three weeks for a 14-day trip and I really don't want to be that person lugging a massive bag of glass through Kyoto temples. My logic was to just grab the RF 24-105mm f/4L and call it a day because I've always loved that focal range on my old EF setup. It has the weather sealing and the constant aperture which plays nice with the IBIS on this body.

But then I started looking at the RF 24-240mm and now I'm second guessing everything. Is the extra reach worth the variable aperture trade-off? I usually shoot street stuff and some landscapes but I'm worried the 24-240 might feel a bit soft or just struggle when the sun goes down in those narrow Shinjuku alleys. My budget is capped at around $1400 since the camera body already cleared out my savings. I thought about just taking a 35mm prime to stay light but I know I'll regret not having a zoom for architecture. Is the L glass really worth the extra weight for a walking-heavy trip or is there a middle ground I'm missing here?

BorealisBreeze · Accepted Answer

My Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM was a mess in Osaka; corners were disappointing compared to the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM.Dark f/6.3Heavy vignetting Printing large?

maila_schneider681 · Answer

^ This. Also, had a moment to think about this more. Staying with the L glass is definitely the safest bet for a big trip like this. I would suggest being very careful with those variable aperture zooms if you're planning on shooting in Shinjuku at night. The constant f/4 is just way more reliable for your R6 II. A couple of practical tips for you:

Make sure to grab a solid filter like the Hoya 77mm Fusion Antistatic Protector for the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. Kyoto shrines get super crowded and dusty, so you'll want that front glass protected at all costs.

Since your budget is tight, look for a cheap Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It weighs nothing and basically saves you in those dark alleys when f/4 feels a bit too slow. Better to have the weather sealing and peace of mind when you're so far from home. You wont regret the reliability.

wizuxvymsv · Answer

I did a similar trip last year and honestly, Japan involves so much walking that every gram counts, but light is even more important. For those narrow Shinjuku alleys at night, I'd definitely grab the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. The variable aperture on the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is kinda annoying once the sun goes down, even with the R6 II's magic sensor. Heres the reality of using the L glass over the superzoom:

Constant f/4 makes shooting way more consistent when youre zooming in and out.

Weather sealing is a total lifesaver if you get caught in a Kyoto rainstorm.

The 105mm end is usually enough reach since you can just crop the R6 II files a bit. If you want to save cash, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is super light, but the L series build quality is basically indestructible for travel.