Full Frame RF 35 f/1.8 or RF 45 f/1.2

Zorg · Jan 15, 2026

Hi

I was wondering which one would be great when I want to go out ultra light with an R8.

But it should also fit with my current RF lens.
I have an R8 with
- RF 14-35 f/4
- RF 24-105 f/4
- RF 100 f/2.8 Macro

My favorite range is 35-55, and I would like something quite versatile, light and with great aperture ... but also a lens which bring something different from the other.

I had the RF 50 f/1.8 which I sold, 50mn f/1.8 was great but it didn't compete (appart fron the size) with the 24-105 ... so in the end, I quite never used it.

JanW · Jan 15, 2026

Hello,

This is something only you can decide. The two lenses are very different.
Of course the general things like physical size, weight and angle of view are similar (the 35mm a bit wider of course).
I think the main differences are narrow DOF possibilities for the 45mm and close up work for the 35mm
What kind of photography do you like?
Portraits or other subjects where you want smooth blurred backgrounds?
Then the 45mm would be nice. But will these narrow DOF shots make it stand out against the 50mm you never used? Was it the f1.8 on the 50mm that was limiting you?
Or maybe you want details of flowers or other small things you see. The 35mm would be great but I assume that your zooms will also have close up possibilities. But this close focusing is what sets the 35 apart here. And IS.

I hope this helps a bit.

Jan

JCBigler · Jan 17, 2026

I don't have the 45 mm f/1.2 STM, but I do own the 35mm f/1.8 IS STM.

It's a great little lens and is one of my favorites. I like the look and feel of the 35mm over the 50mm. Since you are shooting on the R8, which doesn't have IBIS, I'd go for the 35mm with IS over the 45mm that doesn't have IS.

SwampGrizz · Jan 17, 2026

I agree with JCBigler. The 35mm is a great little lens.

Zorg · Jan 19, 2026

JanW said:
Hello,

This is something only you can decide. The two lenses are very different.
Of course the general things like physical size, weight and angle of view are similar (the 35mm a bit wider of course).
I think the main differences are narrow DOF possibilities for the 45mm and close up work for the 35mm
What kind of photography do you like?
Portraits or other subjects where you want smooth blurred backgrounds?
Then the 45mm would be nice. But will these narrow DOF shots make it stand out against the 50mm you never used? Was it the f1.8 on the 50mm that was limiting you?
Or maybe you want details of flowers or other small things you see. The 35mm would be great but I assume that your zooms will also have close up possibilities. But this close focusing is what sets the 35 apart here. And IS.

I hope this helps a bit.

Jan

Thanks for your response.

For Macro, I allready have the RF 100 f/2.8 which can also be a great lens for portrait.

And if I quite never used the RF 50, it is mainly because of my RF 24-105, heavier of course, but so much more versatility.

Having 14-35 f/4 and 24-105 f/4, the new lens (35 or 45) will address a single need : when I want to go out, not specificaly to shoot, but to bring something very light to address any unknown possibility.

From what I understand, the RF 35 seems to be the one.

I was just wondering if the 45 f/1.2 was a game changer and bring a a lot of new possibility with its f/1.2 aperture ... is f/1.2 so different from f/1.8 ?

Zorg · Jan 19, 2026

JCBigler said:
I don't have the 45 mm f/1.2 STM, but I do own the 35mm f/1.8 IS STM.

It's a great little lens and is one of my favorites. I like the look and feel of the 35mm over the 50mm. Since you are shooting on the R8, which doesn't have IBIS, I'd go for the 35mm with IS over the 45mm that doesn't have IS.

IS and IBIS are great, but not mandatory and won't solve everything.

For me, the primary goal for a new lens considering the lenses I already have, would be creativity and compacity.

A lens I could bring with my R8 anywhere, when I didn't intend to shoot .. Both 35 & 45 seems great.

JanW · Jan 19, 2026

Zorg said:
I was just wondering if the 45 f/1.2 was a game changer and bring a a lot of new possibility with its f/1.2 aperture ... is f/1.2 so different from f/1.8 ?

Here is a direct comparison between the 50/1.8 and 45/1.2

Hands-on Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM review: The super-fast glass that's super affordable – and punches way above its price point

The Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM gives you super-fast apertures and bohelicious backgrounds at less than 500 bucks!

www.digitalcameraworld.com

Full Frame RF 35 f/1.8 or RF 45 f/1.2

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Hands-on Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM review: The super-fast glass that's super affordable – and punches way above its price point

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