Canon RF 45 mm F1.2 STM

After a week of happily shooting with the RF 45mm f/1.2 on my R6 Mark II, I noticed that I started looking at this lens differently. Initially, you mainly think of that 1.2, but in use, that turned out not to be the setting I used most often. I often found the image at 1.2 just a bit too thin. The depth of field is so limited that it quickly becomes a bit restless. I regularly ended up at 1.8, 2, or even 2.8, because the image simply feels more right then. A bit more calm, a bit more cohesion.

At the same time, the value of this lens lies precisely in the fact that the 1.2 is there. You really notice that in low-light situations. You can keep shooting where you might otherwise stop. That gives freedom.

There are clear compromises involved. No weather sealing, bokeh that isn't always smooth, optically not perfect. But somehow that also feels fair given the price. What I mainly take away from it is that it is not a perfect lens, but it is a lens that invites you to use it. It fits perfectly in terms of size, weight, and ease of use. And ultimately, because of that, I reach for it sooner than I had anticipated.

To me, it feels like a portrait lens that you can also use for other things, as long as you are aware of the limitations. And perhaps that is exactly why it remains interesting.

After using it for over a week, primarily for dog portraits, on my Canon EOS R6 Mark II, I am impressed by what this lens has to offer, especially for the price.

The combination of the large f/1.2 aperture and the 45mm focal length allows you to shoot indoors without using a flash or setting your ISO extremely high. For anyone who regularly photographs indoors, such as pets or children, this is truly an ideal portrait lens.

Additionally, you have more creative possibilities because you can include more of the surroundings in a portrait while still achieving a soft background.

The image quality exceeds expectations. Sharp images, beautiful colors, and soft bokeh. The autofocus is fast and accurate, even with subjects like dogs that don't always sit still.

The lens is also pleasantly light and compact for an f/1.2. That makes it enjoyable to work with.

What I like less is the chromatic aberration in bright light conditions. This is sometimes distracting and requires some extra attention during post-processing. This lens is ideal for photographers who take portraits of people, children, or pets, both indoors and outdoors.

This is the first prime lens at this price. Just shy of 50mm, but for this price, an f1.2 aperture makes it very bright, which is truly amazing. The weight of the lens is also a big plus, both on and off camera. Portraits are really sharp; the lens can also be used for street photography and landscapes.