topic Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II in EF & RF Lenses

Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:06:54 GMT

I recently bought an R6 Mark II, trading in an EOS 80D with the EF-S 18-135 mm kit lens and an EF-S 10-18 mm. Now, the lenses I currently have are the RF 24-105 mm F4-7.1 STM (kit lens), EF 70-300 mm F4-5.6 USM II, and the EF 50 mm F1.8. I would like to get at least one or two RF L lenses. What would be the best way to upgrade to better RF lenses for landscape, travel, street, and walking around?

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Tronhard — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 05:06:48 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum:
Are considering keeping your EF 70-300 and EF-50mm lenses or would you sell those to fund the RF glass?

Without a budget figure it is hard to make sure we sit within your financial comfort zone, but I do have some suggestions.

Super wide angle the RF 14-35L f/4, compact, light, brilliant optic and it takes a conventional 77mm filter thread, which is rather unique for such a wide angle. See some sample images here:
Broadening My Horizons - Canon Community
Making Light of the Big Commute Home! - Canon Community
Since you have an existing RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 you could retain it for that range.
For the third choice, you could then go for the RF 100-400 f/5.6-8 IS USM. While the f/stop may seem high at the long end, the significantly better performance of the sensor allows for a lot more ISO flexibility.

Thus, in three lenses for a relatively modest investment, you would have a range from 14-400mm to replace your 10-18, 18-135 and 70-300.

One other possibility for a walk around lens is the rather excellent RF 24-250 IS USM. I got it as a stopgap while I was waiting for availability of my RF 24-105 f/4L, but I actually use it more. It is rather the ultimate travel and walk-around lens. There is a series of sample images I have posted in the Share Your Images section:
Moody Morning the the R6 & RF 24-240 - Canon Community
Trying out the RF 24-240 on Wildlife with the R5 - Page 2 - Canon Community
Diwali in Auckland, NZ - Canon Community

IF you were prepared to invest in a seriously more expensive option:
RF 14-35 f/4 L
RF 24-105 f/4 L (replacing the current RF 24-105)
RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L
These are all pro-grade lenses but that combination will come at a price...

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

ebiggs1 — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:30:30 GMT

You already have the 24-105mm zoom it is going to be difficult do better for a GP lens. I would take the advice above an consider selling your lenses. Your next purchase should probably be a longer FL lens or a very much shorter FL lens. No point in duplicating what you already have. Check out the 100-400mm for example.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

justadude — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:25:35 GMT

Hey Trevor, have you ever used the RF 14-35L f/4 on any night sky photography? I hear a lot of good things about that lens, but I'm hesitant because of the F/4 which generally will not gather enough light under very dark skies - for example on a 10 second exposure of the Milky Way or Northern Lights.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Tronhard — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:00:13 GMT

Gidday Garry! 🙂
I honestly don't do a lot of nigh sky photography, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment from an astronomical photographer's point of view. I have seen some comments on this site (you may be able to do a search), and definitely on the web.

Living in Auckland, NZ's largest city is not too good for astronomy in general and by the time evening comes around these days I am too exhausted to stay up late to venture out to clear skies. Sorry, but best to be honest.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 01:33:34 GMT

Whether to keep the EF 50mm and EF 70-300 mm depends on whether RF equivalents would be worth upgrading. I used both lenses with R6 Mark II with an adapter, and the photos came out well. If RF lenses, especially L ones, are close in quality to the EF lenses, then I will stay put. I have considered the 24-70 and 70 to 200 L lenses or swapping the 24-105 F4-7.1 for the 24-105 F4 L and then trade the 70-300 for the 70-200 F4 L. Decisions, decisions.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 03:21:13 GMT

Here is what I have done. I bought the RF 14-35mm f4 L and traded my RF 24-105 f4-7.1 STM for the f4 L version. I am keeping the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 USM II lens for the near future because I believe the first two lenses will take of my photo needs but I have a telephoto range of up to 300mm if I need it.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Tronhard — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 04:40:40 GMT

That sounds like a good plan!

I hope you will get good use from the lenses you have purchased. I had the EF70-300 IS USM MkII and it's a good optic, so I think that is a good balance.

Looking forward to seeing some great images posted!

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

shadowsports — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 12:51:59 GMT

@teacherbytes,

If you want to see what the EF 70-300 USM II can do adapted to mirrorless, checkout this thread.

Legacy Lenses With The Canon EOS R5 C - 1: EF 70~3... - Canon Community

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 22:29:55 GMT

Nice photos and you are making me miss Germany.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:25:24 GMT

Labor Day Liftoff Photo contest entry #1.

R6 Mark II; EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 94mm focal length; 1/500 sec shutter speed; f8.0; ISO 100

Labor Day Liftoff Contest entry #2

R6 Mark II; RF 14-35 f4.0 L; 35mm focal length; 1/80 sec shutter speed; f10 aperture; ISO 250

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

justadude — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:36:30 GMT

I recognize this place - I used to live a couple of short miles away in the historic section north of downtown. I'll be out there again tomorrow for a week long visit. Nice shots! I miss the Labor Day Balloon Fest.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:45:01 GMT

These are two photos I submitted to a photo contest associated with a balloon festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The first photo was shot with my EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. You can see why I decided to keep it for a while longer instead of going with a newer RF telephoto zoom.

Re: Lens Upgrades for the EOS R6 Mark II

Teacherbytes — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:50:51 GMT

The second photo was shot with my RF 14-35mm f4 L lens. It was a shot of a balloon inflating but I noticed the silhouettes on the side in post and cropped the photo to show them because I thought it was a better composition than the original photo. Even with the crop, I was pleased with how the photo turned out.