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

Question

I just got this really fancy Canon EOS R5 because I'm going to Zion National Park next month and I wanted to finally take some actual good photos of the mountains and the big views there. The thing is I have literally no idea what I'm doing with lenses and all the numbers are super confusing. I was looking at some online and I saw a 15-35mm one and a 24-105mm one and I'm just totally stuck on which one would be better for like big wide open spaces. My logic was that a bigger number like 105 would mean I can see more but then I saw someone on a video say you want a wide lens for landscapes which apparently means a smaller number? It's all very backwards in my head sorry if this is a really dumb question. I spent most of my savings on the camera body so I have maybe $1400 left for a lens and I really dont want to mess this up and get there only to realize I cant fit the whole canyon in the frame. Is there one specific lens that people usually get for this kind of stuff or am I overthinking the numbers? I just want something that makes the scenery look as big as it does in real life...

EmberEvergreen · Accepted Answer

Adding my two cents since I've spent a lot of time in the southwest with that exact camera. I remember being just as confused when I first started out... basically, lower numbers mean a wider field of view. Think of it like a flashlight beam where a low number is a huge floodlight. In my experience, for places like Zion, you really want that wide angle to capture the sheer scale of the walls. I've tried many lenses over the years, but the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is the sweet spot for your budget. It is super sharp and that 14mm focal length lets you get those massive, sweeping views without having to stitch photos together. The 24-105mm is a great walkaround lens, but you'll likely feel too cramped for those big canyon shots. Stick with the wide glass for this trip, honestly. It makes the mountains feel as huge as they look in person.