I’m traveling to St Helena Island and need to reduce to my R5 to one Lens

[shariargent]

I have a variety of lenses and camera bodies but for this trip as it means traveling through Johannesburg to St Helena I need to reduce to my R5 and one lens that I can hand carry.  I have a Rf 24-105 f4 but that is limited, my RF 100-500 is too big and also limited.  I am looking at the RF 24-240, what experience are folks having with this lens.  It will be quite inferior to what I have but maybe my only choice?

[ebiggs1]

Of course you know one lens can't do everything. I would still take the RF 24-105mm f4

[shariargent]

Agreed,  but you have not travelled through South Africa….

[shadowsports]

---

@shariargent wrote:

Agreed,  but you have not travelled through South Africa….

---

Not clear how this is relevant?  I haven't either by the way.  Ernie is a purest.  In some way I am too.  The 24-105 is going to be consistent.  The 24-240 will give a bit more reach, but doesn't have the constant aperture.  Its a nice lens though.

Since you have an R5, you could shoot in crop mode (one of the few times you'll hear me even suggest it) and get 168mm equivalent and 17.5 MP images.  Or, go with the 240 and get 384mm equivalent at 17.5MP.  Properly composed, well planned shots can work at lower resolution.   

I'd take a 24-105 and RF100-400 and shoot full res.  St Helena Island is pretty remote.  6hr flight from So. Africa.  If you live in the states, that's a long way to go with one lens.  Thats up to you though.  I purchased the RF 100-400 to replace my EF 70-300 II USM which I used as a travel zoom before I purchased the RF 100-500.  It is unbelievably sharp, compact and super light weight.  It worked well adapted on my R5 C too.  I replaced it when I went fully RF and I now have a little more reach in a compact package.

Not sure if you mean Africa is somehow too dangerous to bring 2 lenses with you, its not.  If you are flying on a puddle jumper and have a luggage weight limitation, leave a pair of shoes and bring a second lens.  The 100-400 is slightly larger than a can of coke.  Its also on sale right now.  $519 refurb, $599 new.  I find it to be great when you can't carry your RF 100-500.  One lens is not enough.  😉

[shariargent]

Many thanks, I’ve travelled world wide.  We will be leaving from the UK as spend half year there.  When in the UK, I have two camera bodies, one for IR (EOSR) and the R5.  I normally take the RF24-105, the RF100-500 and the EF(with adapter) f2.8 16-35 wide angle lens as well as rest of kit, computers, etc..  But the trip from London through JBurg on a limited plane to St Helena requires more thought that’s why one camera one lens.  I have other issues that don’t allow me to leave shoes behind and not getting into physical issues on this forum.  I was just looking for a one lens solution.  Thanks.  

[rs-eos]

Is this a once-in-a-lifetime trip? Or will you be going back?   I ask since if going more than once, you could take one of your better lenses and stick with that single lens for the trip.  e.g. take the 100-500 and go after shots that require telephoto to super-telephoto.   Then in a future trip, take a lens capable of wider field of views.

[shariargent]

Just the one time. It needs close ups as well as distance.  With 100-500, you are limited to long distance,  I do macros with that lens but taking shot close areas the100 just won’t do.  Additionally, the 24-105 wont get the distance and yes, I hear those about using crop sensors, but actually, using full frame and cropping after is better but you still can’t get the distance with the 105….

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

I think you've answered your question.  24-240.  If its only going to be one.

Shop Canon Refurbished RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

@Tronhard (Trevor) has a RF 24-240 and proves how good it is:

Trying out the RF 24-240 on Wildlife with the R5 - Canon Community