topic Re: RF24-70 f2.8 or RF28-70 f2? Differences, which recommended for EOS R6 Mark II in Gear Guide

RF24-70 f2.8 or RF28-70 f2? Differences, which recommended for EOS R6 Mark II

olivie — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:31:05 GMT

hi all! I have a R6 Mark II and have been getting by with my prime lenses just great (love my 35 mm) but recently I have had a few shoots where I was like “dang I wish I had a zoom lens.”

I’m looking between the 24-70 f2.8 or the 28-70 f2 and obviously I know the aperture gets lower on the 28-70, 24 vs 28, and the 24-70 is about $1k cheaper, but are there any other big differences? Do you use and recommend one over the other? (Understanding the technical intricacies of gear is not where I shine).

Thank you!!!

Re: RF24-70 f2.8 or RF28-70 f2? Differences, which recommended for EOS R6 Mark II

shadowsports — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 04:00:10 GMT

Greetings,

This is a personal call. The 24-70 has a slightly wider FOV. The 28-70 offers an additional stop of light and additional subject isolation. Both lenses have a rather shallow DOF wide open. I own the 24-70. I prefer it because its smaller and lighter. The 28-70 is chunky, and over 1.1 lbs heavier. That said, I hand hold my RF100-500 (3 lbs) frequently, so everyone has there own definition of what's heavy and what isn't. You won't be unhappy with either lens. Optically, these lenses are 2 of Canon's best.

Re: RF24-70 f2.8 or RF28-70 f2? Differences, which recommended for EOS R6 Mark II

p4pictures — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 06:46:11 GMT

Two brilliant lenses, that you can’t just compare the specifications of to make a choice. I suggest you rent each lens for a few days and go shoot with them.

I did exactly that and ended up with the “big old beast” RF 28-70mm F2. For my kind of photography I don’t need wider than 28mm very often, and I shoot at over 1/100th to avoid subject movement blur. I also found a unique quality to the images that is hard to put words to.

However the most popular lens choice is almost certainly the 24-70mm F2.8, because it has IS and wider 24mm, plus its lighter, smaller, and less expensive.

Just to throw another choice in the mix, the R4 24-105mm F2.8L IS Z lens offers even more reach than both the other two.

Re: RF24-70 f2.8 or RF28-70 f2? Differences, which recommended for EOS R6 Mark II

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:04:46 GMT

This is a choice you have to make yourself, deciding what's more important:
Do you need/want the F2.0?
Do you need/want the 24-28mm range?
Which is the most important to you?

The 24-105 F2.8 is indeed also something to consider.

I sold a few primes when I went mirrorless and got the 28-70 F2.0. It's big and heavy, not very inconspicuous but it delivers.(and I'm used to lugging a 400 2.8). The balance is better on the R1, with the R5II the camera feels to small.