14/06/2026 11:25 am
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So I finally pulled the trigger on the Canon R6 after shooting with my old 5D for like a decade and I am literally so hyped for my trip to Tokyo and Kyoto next month but now I am having a major crisis about glass. I thought the whole point of mirrorless was to save weight right? But every RF lens I look at that actually has decent glass is either a total brick or costs more than my car lol. I have about 1800 bucks to spend max and I really want something that can handle everything from tight alleyways in Shinjuku at night to those big landscape shots at the shrines.
Ive been doing this long enough to know that glass matters more than the body but recently I ran into this weird issue where I just cant decide if I want one do-it-all zoom or a couple of fast primes. I usually shoot with my old 24-70mm f/2.8 but that thing is huge with the adapter and it kind of kills the vibe of the R6 body. I was looking at the RF 24-105mm f/4L because everyone says its the ultimate travel lens but is the f/4 gonna be a disaster for street photography at night? I am used to that fast 2.8 and the IBIS on the R6 is amazing but it cant stop motion blur from people walking around right?
My requirements are basically:
- Must be RF mount because I want to stop using the EF adapter for this trip
- Budget is around $1500-1800 max
- Needs to be solid for low light because I love the neon vibe and night markets
- Light enough to carry for 20k steps a day without my neck dying
I was also thinking about maybe just grabbing a couple of primes like the 35mm 1.8 and maybe something wider like a 16mm? Or should I just suck it up and get the 24-70 2.8 RF even though it blows my budget a bit? Its just so hard to decide because I dont want to be swapping lenses constantly in the rain or crowded subways. Has anyone used the 24-105 f/4 in really dark situations with the R6 sensor and felt okay about it or should I stick to faster glass...
3 Answers
11
14/06/2026 11:26 am
OMG you are going to love Tokyo! I did a similar trip last year with my R6 and I was so terrified of dropping my gear or getting dust on the sensor while swapping lenses on those packed Kyoto trains. I ended up playing it safe and got the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and it was literally the best decision ever! The weather sealing on that L lens is fantastic and gave me so much peace of mind when it started pouring. Honestly, the f/4 is not a disaster at all for night shots because the R6 sensor is an absolute beast with high ISO! I shot at ISO 6400 in Shinjuku and the photos came out amazing, totally clean. Plus the stabilization is like magic. But because I am always super cautious and wanted a safety net for those really dark alleyways, I also packed the tiny Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM in my jacket pocket. It weighs next to nothing and is amazing for low light. Having that reliable zoom for the day and the fast prime for night was the perfect combo, and it keeps you way under budget!
10
14/06/2026 12:00 pm
Heres two budget options to save cash:
- A refurbished Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM for daytime versatility.
- The cheap Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for low light street photography.
5
14/06/2026 12:10 pm
I am stuck in this exact same loop trying to gear up for a trip with my R6. The struggle of wanting fast glass without carrying a brick is so real. You might want to consider renting the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM first to see if the weight bothers you. Make sure to test it on a long walk before committing to buying.
