I want one really good lens (for my EOS R6)

[mangurian]

I am on a limited budget and currently have a refurbished R6 and the kit lens.  I also have a couple of other RF lenses.  These are good lenses, but just not as good as L lenses.  What is the least expensive, high performance L lens?  I don't want to buy a lesser "L" lens.  I see respected reviewers saying some "L" lenses are not much better than their non-L counterparts - I am not interested in these.  The focal length is not important.  I just want the experience of top glass and would only use it in appropriate situations and can not afford more than one.

Thanks,

[shadowsports]

Greetings, 

We're going to need the following information.  A list of the current lenses you own and a budget.  This will allow us to make good recommendations while avoiding focal length overlap.  Please provide this information when possible.

[mangurian]

As I said in my original post, I don't care about focal length or overlap with other lenses. What is the least expensive, high performance L lens?

[p4pictures]

Least expensive L-series RF lenses on the Canon store are…

• RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM - $1299
• RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM - $1299
• RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM - $1499
• RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM - $1099

All of them are great, and all are very different in their ideal applications.

[ebiggs1]

" I don't want to buy a lesser "L" lens.  I see respected reviewers saying some "L" lenses are not much better than their non-L counterparts - I am not interested in these.  The focal length is not important. "

Although what the lens produces is one part of the subject it is just one part. Secondly what people expect from their lens is different for almost everybody. The IQ of any given "L" lens may not be any better than some other cheaper lens but here again is where other factors come in to play. The build of "L" lenses is far beyond any of the so-called lesser Canon lenses. In the life of a pro this is number 1 on the importance list. The lens has to work and it has to work every time day in and day out. If you don't need that part, you probably don't need "L" glass.

However "L" lenses get the best of every thing. So, in most cases their IQ is better. Their build quality is better. Their lens coating is the best there is. And, perhaps last, it is knowing you have the best and that nothing else is better.

In your shoes today I think, their is only one "L" lens for you, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. This is probably the best "L" lens Canon makes or has ever made. My second choice and perhaps more friendly afield,  the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens.

Believe me, I know the feeling! 😁

[shadowsports]

Thank you Brian 👍 Helpful

If I were only going to buy one, I'd take these recommendations and go with the f2.8 variants.  Are they more, yes, but if you were only going to buy one, I'd go with a lens that gave the most versatility.  While there is only one stop between 2.8 and 4, if you ever want to shoot indoors without a flash, even that one stop helps. 

The kit lens for the R6 was f4.  Sell it to offset the f2.8 expenditure.  This is why I asked about your currently lenses.  This is an example where spending a little more upfront provides a higher ROI over the course of the lens' life.  Lenses are the real investment in photography.  Good choices are lasting.  Body's come and go. 

Will you still have a premium experience with f4 "L's", absolutely, but a f2.8 or f2 will be timeless.

RF15-35 f2.8

RF24-70 f2.8

RF70-200 f2.8

Optional:

RF 28-70 f2 

RF 70-200 f2.8 Z Internal Zoom (which we are expecting an announcement for in June).  This is expected to accept the 1.4x or 2x extenders throughout the entire focal range.  Still a rumor 

Buy right, buy once.  Buy wrong and buy twice.  Hope this perspective helps.  Good Luck.  

[John_SD]

"What is the least expensive, high performance L lens?" 

You can determine this for yourself easily enough by checking out B&H, Adorama, etc. 

[mangurian]

Not all L lenses are created equal.  Performance is not necessarily proportional to price.

[ebiggs1]

"Not all L lenses are created equal"

That would take a few qualifiers but remains fairly simplistic as is.

[mangurian]

"Not all L lenses are created equal"

True or Not True ?   It might be simplistic, but it is obviously true.  No reason to make it more complicated in this thread.   If it were not true, then by the criteria I listed in my post, I would simply buy the least expensive L lens.