16/03/2026 11:01 pm
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What is the absolute best wide-angle lens I should get for landscape photography on my Canon R5? I finally upgraded to the R5 last year and I love the resolution but honestly my old EF 17-40mm with the adapter just isnt cutting it anymore especially when I am trying to catch those fine details in the rocks or distant trees and I keep seeing people rave about the native RF glass. Im actually planning a big trip to Zion National Park in about three weeks so the clock is ticking and I really want to have this sorted out before I hit the trails.
Ive been doing a ton of reading online and I keep getting stuck between the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L and the RF 14-35mm f/4L. I read that the 15-35 is the king for low light and astro stuff because of that f/2.8 but then some other people are saying the 14-35 is actually better for pure landscapes because it goes wider and its lighter to carry around all day which sounds great because my back isnt what it used to be lol. But then I saw some reviews saying the distortion on the 14-35 is kinda crazy at the wide end and relies too much on software correction which makes me worry about losing some of that 45MP sharpness near the edges.
My budget is right around $2,500 max so both are technically within range if I find a good deal but I dont want to overspend on the f/2.8 if I am gonna be stopped down to f/8 or f/11 on a tripod 90% of the time anyway. But then again what if I want to try some star shots at night while Im out in the desert? Does the extra 1mm on the f/4 lens actually make a noticeable difference in the field? I just cant decide if I should go for the pro 2.8 choice or the more practical f/4 version. Has anyone here used both on an R5 specifically? I really need to know if that edge-to-edge sharpness holds up because thats the main reason I got this camera in the first place...
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16/03/2026 11:25 pm
@Reply #1 - good point! If youre worried about that edge-to-edge sharpness on the R5, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is absolutely worth the extra weight. Its a beast! Unlike the f/4, it doesnt rely on heavy software corrections, so those 45MP files look super clean. Ngl, for Zion stars, youll love having that f/2.8 aperture... it makes a massive difference! It fits your $2500 budget perfectly too.
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16/03/2026 11:01 pm
> I just cant decide if I should go for the pro 2.8 choice or the more practical f/4 version. I went through this exact struggle before my trip to Arches last year. Honestly, I bought the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM thinking it would be the perfect practical choice but it was a total disappointment. Unfortunately, those reviews about the distortion are right. When you are shooting at 14mm, the software has to work so hard to fix the image that the corners look kinda mushy on that R5 sensor. It just wasnt as good as expected for such an expensive lens. I ended up swapping it for the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM and the optical quality is night and day. If you want edge-to-edge sharpness for Zion prints, dont settle for the f/4. The weight is a pain on hikes but the files are way cleaner... you will definitely want that 2.8 for the desert stars.
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17/03/2026 12:05 am
Re: "@Reply #2 - spot on about the edge clarity! The R5 sensor is a beast and it really shows the flaws in older EF glass or heavily corrected zooms. Zion is gonna be incredible, you must be so stoked! I was there last fall and the light hitting those canyon walls is just pure magic. Before you drop the cash, I have a couple quick things to figure out:
- Are you planning on doing huge gallery prints or just sharing online?
- Do you already own a set of 77mm or 82mm filters? If you go with the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, that 82mm filter thread can be a bit pricier to kit out compared to the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM. Just wanted to make sure you're factoring in the total cost for the trip! Those circular polarizers are pretty much mandatory for the river shots in the Narrows... your photos are gonna look fantastic either way tho and thats the main thing.
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09/04/2026 5:27 pm
Found this thread today and honestly, after years of swapping brands, the Canon glass is usually the most expensive choice for what you get. If you look at Sonys 12-24mm, it feels like you get way more for your money, but once you buy that R5 body youre pretty much stuck in their ecosystem. If youre trying to save a few bucks on that $2500 budget, here is what I usually do:
- keep an eye on the refurbished site
- use the PriceDropCatch extension to snag a deal
- check the forums for people jumping ship to other brands Last time I was out that way, I ended up spending more time at this tiny antique shop in a ghost town than actually shooting the scenery. Found this old film camera that still had a roll of shots in it from the 70s. I spent like three months trying to track down the family in the photos but it turned out they lived in Florida the whole time and didnt even want the pictures back. Total waste of time but the road trip was fun. Anyway lol, sorry kinda went off topic there.
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11/04/2026 1:27 pm
I totally agree with what everyone is saying about that distortion on the 14-35mm... its kinda wild when you see the uncorrected raws. If youre pixel peeping on an R5, that software stretching at 14mm is gonna drive you nuts because it definitely eats into that 45MP detail in the corners. I would suggest being really cautious here since those Zion canyon walls have a lot of texture that shows flaws easily. Since youre heading out soon, consider these trade-offs:
- The 15-35mm f/2.8 is the clear winner for astro. Zion is a dark sky park and you will definitely want that extra stop of light for the Milky Way.
- The 14-35mm is tempting for the weight, but be careful with the edge smearing. It can look pretty muddy if you do large prints.
- If you want a DIY budget fix, maybe look for a used EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III. It holds up surprisingly well against native glass on the adapter. Make sure to check your weather sealing too... the dust in Utah is no joke. If you need tips on using scouting apps to find the best trail spots, Smartphone Board has some solid advice on that stuff. Have a killer trip!
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24/03/2026 8:00 am
Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.
