Looking for the best landscape lens for a Canon EOS R5.

Question

I am so sick of watching YouTube reviews that all say different things. Im trying to gear up for a big trip to Zion next month and I can’t decide between the RF 14-35mm f4 and the 15-35mm f2.8. The f2.8 is so heavy and expensive but people say the 14-35 has terrible edge distortion that the R5 has to fix in-camera and it just feels like a compromise for the price.

My constraints:

budget: under $2100

weight: hiking 10 miles a day so it cant be a total brick

timeline: need it by the 15th

Is the 14-35 actually sharp enough or am I gonna regret not just spending the extra cash for the f2.8 glass?

kexqknhhzo · Accepted Answer

Re: I have used the Canon RF 14-35mm f4...

Totally agree with that! Jumping in here because I have been through this exact dilemma myself. Honestly, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM is a total beast for hiking and you are gonna love it. Here is my take on why its actually better for Zion:

Weight: 10 miles a day is no joke. The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM feels like a literal brick after hour four, trust me.

Sharpness: Ngl, at f/8 or f/11 for landscapes, they are basically identical. The corner distortion on the 14-35 is a non-issue once the R5 profile hits it... it looks fantastic.

Filter size: It uses 77mm filters which are way cheaper and lighter than the 82mm ones on the f2.8. If you want a budget wild card, look at the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. Its not L-glass, but for the weight? Amazing. Seriously tho, go for the f/4, you wont regret it!

Internet_tsSi · Answer

Stumbled upon this today and honestly, I had a bit of a rough time with the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM. I remember lugging it up to Observation Point last year, and while my back felt fine, the corner resolution was just not as good as expected. Seeing the uncorrected raws was pretty disappointing... it feels like software is doing way too much heavy lifting for a lens at this price point. Unfortunately, the Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM is a literal brick, but you can find used copies under $2100 easily if you look around. Before I give my final vote tho, are you planning on shooting any astro while you are in Utah? That f2.8 is night and day for Milky Way shots. Quick tip: stop down to f8 to hide soft corners. Also, get a Breakthrough Photography 77mm X4 CPL for the canyon glare.

Hugo Alexander Hill · Answer

I have used the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM and I am very satisfied with it. For Zion, the weight savings over the Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM is a massive advantage.

Distortion correction: The R5 handles this effortlessly with no visible quality loss.

Focal length: You actually get an extra 1mm on the wide end. It works well for your budget... no complaints here.