After about a month with the Canon RF 45mm F1.2, I found it a fun, lightweight way to get a very wide aperture. I compared it with lenses I already owned, including the RF 50mm F1.2, 50mm F1.4 VCM, and 28-70mm F2.
Originally published on YouTube Jan 25, 2026.
Size and price are the appeal
The compact size and lower price make this lens interesting beside Canon’s larger, more expensive options. My test includes portraits, everyday photographs, and side-by-side examples intended to help you judge the look for yourself.
The compromises I noticed
Autofocus felt slower than my 50mm F1.2 and much slower than the 50mm F1.4 VCM. Some photographs showed strong flare, chromatic aberration, and busier background blur. I still found many of the portrait results perfectly usable for my needs.
Who it makes sense for
For static subjects and portraits, the slower focusing may matter less than it does for children running toward the camera. I probably would not keep it because I already owned alternatives that filled the same role. That does not make it a poor choice for someone building a different kit.
Use the examples to decide
The video includes sample-image comparisons and an autofocus demonstration. Download the linked examples if available and judge the rendering at your intended output size; my preferences are not a substitute for your own priorities.
Original samples or settings: Download here.
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