When Canon launched its RF 45mm F1.2 late last year, it caught many of us by surprise. A big reason for this was the very fast prime, an F1.2 maximum aperture, paired with a seriously affordable price – under $500 USD. Since the announcement and subsequent launch, however, we’ve begun to see that the lens is blowing up in reseller markets, fetching upwards of $800. But what is causing Canon’s affordable prime to spiral into the territory of Canon L Lens prices?
Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM – Coveted for its Affordability
The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM launched in December 2025 with a suggested MSRP of $469.99, making it one of the most affordable f/1.2 prime lenses you could buy on any camera system. One of the biggest hurdles customers, including me, faced is finding the lens readily available at their favorite camera store, leading many to consider resellers and the second-hand marketplace.
This past February, we tracked the “sold for” prices on eBay using WatchCount and found that the lens had been selling for as high as $780 with some non-camera shop sellers. Overall, the lens has been moving relatively quickly, averaging around 6 days per unit to sell, suggesting that there is still very strong interest in the lens – even if it means paying a few hundred dollars over MSRP.
Officially, there is no available sales data, and a Canon rep declined to provide it, simply stating that the company does not disclose sales units. However, they confirmed that Canon customer feedback on the lens has been positive, and while there were some initial backorders, “many of our authorized dealers [now] have it in stock.” This could ultimately mean a cooling-off effect on the resale market as the lens begins to find its way to retailers at a price. After all, the lens is a no-brainer purchase under $500 USD, but once you enter the near four-digit price point, you would be far better served looking into something like the RF 50mm F1.5 L VCM.
Demand for Affordable RF Lenses
We recently reviewed the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, and in that review, I wrote that Canon has a lens problem. While the R6 Mark III was a solid entry-level camera, the system needed more affordable lens options for pros just starting out. The Canon RF45mm F1.2 STM is one of the few compelling, affordable AF lenses for the RF-mount, and there is demand for this kind of lens. For their part, Canon has begun working with third-party manufacturer Sigma to develop third-party lens options with autofocusing capabilities, but so far those have been limited to RF-S (APS-C) variants. With the RF45mmm F1.2, Canon has released a full-frame lens with seemingly few compromises for photographers who may do a range of photography work.
As a working photographer who began his journey working multiple jobs to save up for “professional” gear, the RF45mm F1.4 STM is not just a “cheap” lens, but one that a new generation of pros and weekend warriors can build a solid portfolio with – maybe even better than the “Nifty Fifties” of old.