Which lens for a new R user?

[LeftAndRight]

Hello,

I'm sure this has been asked time and again but I was wondering what lens would you recommend for someone on a 1000eur budget for walk around/night/landscape /travel photography?

I am torn between 24-70 f/4-7.1 RF and 24-240 and later a EF/RF 50 f/1.8 (I will be buying used)

I have read a lot of reviews for 24-240 and most say it's a good lens(but not great)

I don't see reviews for 24-70 f/4-7.1 (Watched a few videos and it seems to be okay like 24-240)

Since I will be carrying just one body, I try to avoid lens changes so a more versatile mm is desirable.

Since canon is discontinuing a lot of EF glass, it should be a good place to look for some (relatively) cheap glass but there're so many options! It's a bit overwhelming esp V I, II, III of some lenses, newer versions tend to be better but do they justify the price difference?

 

[RDM5546]

I second the comments about choosing the 24-240 - it's a surprisingly good lens, and for general walk about and travel it's pretty versatile. Also a bit cheaper than the 24-105.

Before I bought the R5 I rented it, along with the 24-240, and that combo sold me on it.

24-240 is just OK. IMO if you want a lens like that, get an EOS M50 and 18-150 and you'll be half the weight.

There is a mid range where the 24-240 is very good (50-135mm) but it is kit lens quality at either end. It also requires software supporting a lens profile or the CA and vignetting is atrocious.

In my opinion it is less versatile than the 24-105L because it's not as useful for landscapes and scenery at the wide end due to optical flaws. And it is not as useful for portraits because the aperture is much slower in the portrait range. The only place it has more versatility is for longer zoom. But it has very weak edges at full zoom. And a very slow aperture.

This is just my opinion after trying both lenses. If you like the 24-240, that is great.

I find it rather useful. Perhaps not to pixel peeping standard, I don’t know.

I too have have both 24-240 and 24-105. I use the 24-105 mostly for video with the R5 or R while I use the 24-240 for a walkabout stills and travel lens. The 24-105 is a nice constant aperture video lens and I find it less versatile for stills.

 

[tkbslc]

The 24-105 is a nice constant aperture video lens and I find it less versatile for stills.

I guess we all measure versatility differently based on our needs. I think more of all around qualities rather than just zoom range. In some ways a 35mm f1.8 Macro can be more versatile than a zoom given the size, aperture, and close focusing.

 

[thunder storm]

I guess we all measure versatility differently based on our needs.

Well said.

I think more of all around qualities rather than just zoom range. In some ways a 35mm f1.8 Macro can be more versatile than a zoom given the size, aperture, and close focusing.

Absolutely.

The RF 50mm f/1.2 is a versatile lens as it's nice for portraits but more general stuff too, and it's the best you can get for low light. The RF 85mm f/2.0 IS stm is another example of a versatile lens.

 

[Terry Danks]

Christopher Frost has a nice review on the RF24-240