To add to the point above: listen, are you hiking long distances? If you want versatility for your dog and scenery, look at the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM.

So funny you ask this — last summer I took a road trip through the Rockies and made the mistake of lugging around three heavy prime lenses. My back was killing me by the third day. I eventually swapped everything for the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It is surprisingly affordable and covers almost everything you need for landscapes while hiking. You do not need to drop thousands on the L-series glass yet because the extra aperture range won't matter much when you're shooting landscapes at f/8 or f/11 anyway. This lens is compact and saves you a ton of cash that you can put toward a good tripod or a comfortable camera strap. Stick to this focal range for now and you will be set for your travel shots.

Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly, it sounds like you're getting a lot of conflicting advice. People have recommended everything from tiny primes to heavy L-series zooms, and it can be a lot to process. Since you're just starting out, my take is that you should prioritize versatility so you dont have to swap lenses while hiking.

• Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is the sweet spot. It is way more durable than the cheaper versions, and the f/4 constant aperture is super consistent for learning exposure.
• It gives you enough width for big landscapes but can still zoom in for decent dog portraits. Idk, maybe that sounds like a safe pick, but ngl, having that one lens that does 90% of what you need is a game changer when you're just starting out. You can always grab a dedicated portrait lens later once you figure out your style...

Oh man, this is exactly my thing. I have spent years testing almost every piece of glass for the R-series system. Before I dump a bunch of technical specs on you, I need to know one thing: how much weight are you actually willing to carry on these hikes? I have heard mixed things about the durability of the lighter consumer-grade lenses when dealing with mountain grit and moisture, but I am not 100% sure if that is just internet fear-mongering. I am curious about a few details:

• Do you prefer a wider field of view for those grand mountain vistas?
• Does your dog usually stay close or do you need reach to capture him running? Once I know your preference, I can give you a better breakdown of the compromises between weight, sharpness, and focal range.

Regarding what #3 said about "Everyone pushes those zooms, but honestly, just get..."

• I find the obsession with tiny prime lenses completely misses the point of the high-resolution sensor you have. I spent three hours yesterday trying to calibrate my back-button focus settings, and honestly, the menu system on the R5 makes me want to throw the entire kit into a canyon. It is infuriating how many layers you have to dig through just to change a simple exposure setting while the light is dying. It reminds me of when I used to restore vintage 1970s motorcycles; I spent six months trying to source a specific carburetor gasket that was supposedly interchangeable, but it leaked oil all over my garage floor for three weeks straight. I ended up just selling the bike for parts because the frustration wasn't worth the ride anymore. The inconsistency of proprietary parts is just exhausting, whether it is fuel injection or lens mounts. Sorry, I kind of went off topic there, I just needed to vent about the firmware interface for a second. Anyway, back to the glass, you really need to consider how the weight distribution affects your balance on those steep trails, because I have tripped over my own feet more times than I care to admit while adjusting settings mid-hike. It is definitely a struggle.

@Reply #6 - good point! Coming back to this, I think you should consider the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM. When I hiked the Dolomites, this lens handled everything from wide mountain vistas to shots of my gear. Before you commit, are you mostly shooting at sunrise/sunset or midday? 1. It's weather-sealed for trails. 2. The f/2.8 aperture works great for dog portraits with nice background blur.

Everyone pushes those zooms, but honestly, just get the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. It’s tiny, cheap, and sharper than the hype suggests — perfect for hiking without the extra bulk.

+1

TIL! Thanks for sharing

TIL! Thanks for sharing

I have been through three different R-series setups, and the obsession with high-end glass is overkill for most hikers. You want focal range versatility without the weight of an L-series lens. I used the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM for a year; it is lightweight and handles landscapes well, but the aperture is limiting for portraits.

• Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM: Cheap and very light. Good for daytime landscapes, but struggles with background blur for portraits.
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: Sharper, better for your dog portraits, and it is a small prime. It lacks the zoom range for sweeping mountain views. I tried a variable aperture zoom years ago and it was garbage for low light, though the latest RF versions are better. Stick to the 24-105mm if you prioritize packing light over bokeh.

Ugh I totally feel you on the gear anxiety, tbh. I remember when I first got my setup, I spent like three weeks just staring at different lens charts and reading forums until my brain felt like it was gonna melt. It is honestly so frustrating how complicated they make it all sound when you just wanna go outside and snap some cool photos of nature. Like, why do the numbers have to be so confusing? It lowkey makes me wanna just put the camera away sometimes lol. Anyway, I totally agree with the person who mentioned weather sealing earlier. Having that extra peace of mind when you are out on a trail with your dog is huge. I wish I had thought about that before I got my first lens... honestly such a headache.