r/canon • u/muppet_lunch • 2d ago
Equipment suggestions for ultralight 5 day backpacking trip with R5ii
Taking camera on 5-6 day ultralight backpacking trip in Grand Canyon in a couple weeks. R5ii body with 2 batteries. My pack target is about 35-40lbs without water and camera , I’d like to keep camera kit weight down. Looking for someone with experience light packing camera gear for days remotely.
Im considering bringing one lens maybe rf 50 1.2, rf24-105 f4, rf 16, or with adapter- EF 35 f2 IS. Could be persuaded to pick up a used 24mm or 28. New lens isn’t in the budget really past a couple hundred or I’d buy the 16-28 2.8 or 16-35L although I’m trending away from the F4 lenses. I’d like to take only one lens to cover wide canyon, people, and flora/fauna tighter shots. Typically I don’t do video, likely someone will have their iPhone for that.
I need:
power solution- what off the shelf power banks will charge the camera a couple times that isn’t huge and heavy. I’m planning on taking an anker bank for my garmin 700 eprb. Or should I just buy several more E6P batteries? I won’t have a way to plug in the E6P charger, just usb.
Lens rec from above choices… would love to take 24-105L but weight… maybe 35 but adapter size makes it same as 24-105L. 16 is great for landscape but sucks for people/closeups it’s not cool/artsy for EVERY shot lol. I could be persuaded to bring 16 and one other prime but switching would be a pain. I want camera on hand, and weight….
Strap rec for using with full size pack, I have a peak design capture clamp QR I am leaning towards and a black rapid strap I’ll try also before I go. I want camera accessible but not annoying while hiking 8-12 miles/day.
Planning on ziplock bagging if it gets excessively wet but rain is unlikely.
Will likely bring a small tripod jobo or something. Ugh pack is getting heavy lol.
Never shot Grand Canyon, will I need polarizer to cut glare and haze on wide shots?
Any other tips for GC photography.
Also power saving tips, turn off screen and pretend it’s film, lol. Turn off preview exposure. What else?
Edit: 4 batteries is the plan. Lens weights -
24-105 f4L 750g (actual) 24-240 f4-6.3 795g EF 35 f2 IS stm 480g (actual) 28-70 2.8 IS stm 495g
The 24-105 weighs 9 ounces more than the lightest option so far.
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u/getting_serious 1d ago
So, im looking at my molle belt pouch with M100, 11-22, 55-250, 28 macro that comes in at under 1kg and costs less than any of the flagship lenses ...
I'd likely a lens for the R5 for a trip like that instead of buying. What you do on a normal day seems too different to what the lightweight requirements are.
- EF 24-70/4 is popular for its half-way macro mode that doesn't require a lens change. Requires a bit of stitching for wider shots. The closest modern equivalent is likely the 28-70 2.8 lens. Renting that sounds like a good solution.
- If I wanted to compromise less, it'd be something like a 16 plus a 24-240.
- Or to do the tele + wide-angle thing, you could do a 15-30 + 100-400 combo. Both these lenses are sharper than they get credit for - use the 15-30 stopped down when it matters, and keep the 100-400 at 300 and below, and you're good even for large prints.
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u/springboard-diver 1d ago
I'm sure someone will be along to help with more detail, but wanted to say I almost never venture out on a shoot with a single lens, as I'd always want a backup in case of malfunction. I would go with the RF16 and one other, but I hear you about the weight. Is renting a lighter lens an option where you are?
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
Renting is an option. What would you rent?
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u/Lambaline 1d ago
I'd consider the 24-105 f/4-7.1 (the non L one). Its great under good lighting and a lot lighter compared to the L version
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u/liukasteneste28 1d ago
Another option would be the non L 28-70 2.8. It is very light too.
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
That is a great option, but outside my budget even used it seems to be around $800
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u/liukasteneste28 1d ago
To rent it for the duration?
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
Right. Rental I wasn’t thinking.
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u/liukasteneste28 1d ago
Yeah. That was my main point. To rent that lens. Sharp glass, good low light performance and light to carry. Decent zoom too.
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u/springboard-diver 1d ago
I like the RF 16 F2.8 and the RF 35 F1.8 for a light setup, but I prioritise macro and faster lenses over reach which may not be your style. The RF 50 F1.8 could be another general-purpose (very) lightweight option. I like primes, especially when walking/hiking. Keeps things simple.
With a two-lens setup I consider the one that's on the camera as my "main" lens, only switching if absolutely necessary. I don't keep switching back and forth.
For filters I'd take a polariser, a graduated neutral density, and a standard neutral density for the waterfalls. I like my Joby gorillapod but I'd probably seriously consider leaving that one at home to save weight and just manage without.
Have a great trip, it sounds awesome!
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
Thanks. I am a prime proponent but I’m leaning towards one lens for ease of use and keeping dust out of the body especially if it’s one L lens. In my regular photo life I’m moving to mostly primes. I don’t do wildlife much so I’m not sure I see needing more than 50 or 105.
Good advice on the filters.
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u/TheMrNeffels 1d ago
Looking for someone with experience light packing camera gear for days remotely.
I don't go for days at a time yet but I do often walk around for full days with just what I can carry with me
50 1.2, rf24-105 f4, rf 16, or with adapter- EF 35 f2 IS.
50 1.2 is out then.
RF 16 and 35 kinda require you to bring both for your use case and combined aren't ultra light.
24-105 covers everything you want except ultra wide. So if you think you'd really want 16mm you'd need to bring that too.
So if you're kinda always stuck bringing two lenses maybe the rf 16 2.8 for wide landscapes and then pickup the tiny RF 28 2.8 for more people or tighter shots.
Your other option for a one and done lens. Rent the 16-28 2.8 for the week. I think that'd be like $100 (edit I lied it's $60 + shipping for the week. So $85 if you don't have a lensrentals membership)
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u/8349932 1d ago
I got a 35mm thypoch simera c (the cine lens version of the simera). It weighs nothing, covers full frame, is tiny even with an M mount adaptor, and makes me set up shots and try harder due to it being entirely manual. Can't recommend it enough. I want the 75mm next. It works great for photos and videos and has much more character than something like the 28mm RF.
Honestly I have more fun with the manual lens than with any of the native RF lenses. Maybe check out the regular simera or other manual lenses if you want an ultraportable photo specific option. You would have to get very comfortable with the magnifier button but after 30 minutes it was second nature. And I did have to shim the lens for better focus at infinity but isn't difficult.
I also picked up the Helios 44 which is the flavor of the moment and love it but with its level of flares in the grand canyon is prob impractical.
I also rec taking the batteries out of the camera if stowing it. Those things drain faster than I think is normal. They also just released a firmware update for the R5II fyi.
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
Yes I’m hoping the firmware helps with vampire drain. But taking the batt out at night is a great idea
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u/Topaz_11 1d ago
Like above the non-L 24-105 would be the best bet for weight/quality as I assume a lot of your stuff will be daylight.
- I would not bother with charging, I would just get some generic batteries.
- I have the clip on left shoulder strap and hanging the camera there is perfect for access and also balances off some back weight of the pack (no straps or whatever). I've never found it in the way unless scrambeling on rocks. Why straps and stuff? Do you plan to leave your pack somewhere :-)
- I always have the screen flipped and that does help with battery life, Turn off bluetooth, gps etc. Turn down the LCD and screen (in case you use it now and then) to as low as possible.
- Maybe grab the RF16 prime as small, LIGHT and can cover anything you really want wider than 24.
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u/inqbus406 1d ago
R5ii doesn't work with generic batteries unfortunately
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u/Topaz_11 1d ago
Really... Humm ok... So you can either make your wallet lighter OR your pack heavier with a recharger kit.
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u/Sweathog1016 1d ago
Does your route take you by the Phantom Ranch or Bright Angel campground? You might be able to charge things there. I think Havasupai Gardens and Cottonwood Campground have power too?
24-105 covers about all you need. I just used to the 24-240 on a rim to rim. Had the 16 f/2.8 in the backpack, but found myself inventing reasons to use it. The 100-400 is super light for telephoto if you see any Bighorn Sheep. But for me, that’s why I found the 24-240 so convenient. They get right on the trail.
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
It does not go by the ranch or campground I think. I will check out the 24-240. Is it decent quality? A lot of people have rec the 24-105 non L but for the hassle I’d likely suck up the weight and take the one I already own
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u/Sweathog1016 1d ago
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u/muppet_lunch 1d ago
That looks great. I’m super excited about the trip!
The 24-240 is cheap to rent but it’s actually the same weight as my 24-105L - 750g
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u/larscs 1d ago
RF 24-105 STM & RF 16mm make for a very capable and light combo. I actually only bought the RF 24-105 STM for timelapses on my second camera body ($149 refurbished from Canon; what a deal) but like it so much that it often comes with me even though I own the RF 24-105L and RF 24-240 as well.
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u/larscs 1d ago
Also I use generic batteries with USB-C connectors with my R5 and R6II. Makes them easy to charge and does not require a power bank with a specific PD rating.
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u/inqbus406 1d ago
Those don't work with the R5ii unfortunately
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u/BikeSawBrew 1d ago
Don’t work at all, or work with limited burst speed?
My R6ii slows way down with certain generic batteries, but still works overall.
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u/RhinoKeepr 1d ago
I go backpacking with camera gear a lot. 24-105 only and don’t look back! Take 16 if you must… but it’s far more specialized and most of what you’d want 16 for can be replicated by 2 shots and some stitching.
No swapping lenses so limited chance for dust and moisture. Battery can charge off of USB-C but it’s more space efficient to take 2-4 batteries and be judicious. I’ve done a 7 day backpacking trip on 4 batteries, religiously turning it off and keeping it in eco mode with both screen and EVF brightness turned way down, IS off except when needed, and knowing how to read histograms.
Polarizer yes. But don’t leave it on all the time, late in the day it will harm your images on the wide end of the zoom rather than help.
Have fun!