CameraReview
Meike AF 85mm f/1.8 Pro
UNSCORED
Meike · 85 mm · f/1.8 · Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X mount

Meike AF 85mm f/1.8 Pro

From $279.99 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandMeike
Announcement dateNov 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional value at $339-$340 USD with full autofocus and excellent optical performance
+Very sharp images from f/1.8 wide-open; excellent sharpness from f/4-f/8
+Smooth, attractive bokeh with minimal distortion for portraiture
+Lightweight and compact at 386-395g; easy to carry for travel
+USB-C firmware updates for potential improvements and fixes
+Eye AF and EXIF support; smooth STM autofocus suitable for video
Worth Knowing
STM autofocus not suitable for fast-moving subjects or sports photography
Limited weather sealing (mount gasket only); not fully weather-sealed
Strong vignetting at f/1.8 (~1.5 EV); edge softness at wide aperture
Longer minimum focus distance (0.85m) limits macro-style close-up capability
Loose aperture ring that is easily knocked and markings may wear over time

General

Brand
Meike
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Nov 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro is a well-balanced lens priced at $340, featuring excellent sharpness, good AF performance, appealing bokeh, lightweight design and good build quality. For portrait, video, and subject isolation work, the lens delivers performance that belies its price tag, with weaknesses in versatility and build being easy to forgive when core performance is so strong. For budget-conscious photographers, the Meike AF 85mm f/1.8 Pro is a viable option.

Optical

Minimum Aperture
f/16
Optical Formula
8 groups, 11 elements (includes 2 ED, 3 high-refraction, 1 ultra-high-refraction)
Maximum Magnification
0.11x
Angle of View (Full Frame)
28° diagonal (23.5° horizontal × 15.8° vertical)

Aperture

Aperture Ring
Clicked aperture ring with A position for electronic control

Autofocus

AF System
STM (Stepping Motor) with NanoDrive Auxiliary System
AF Features
Eye AF, electronic aperture adjustment, EXIF data transmission

Build

Construction
Metal and engineering plastic (composite materials)

Features

Manual Focus
Full-time manual focus available; by-wire design
Firmware
USB-C port for online firmware updates
Breathing
Minimal focus breathing
Includes
Lens hood, front and rear caps, cleaning cloth, lens filter
Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes

Optical performance

Sharpness
Very good at f/1.8, excellent from f/4-f/8
Distortion
~1% barrel (correctable via profile)
Vignetting
~1.5 EV at f/1.8, reduces with stopping down
Chromatic Aberration
Well-controlled, minimal fringing
Bokeh
Smooth, rounded bokeh with 9 blades
Flare Control
Excellent, no flare observed in tests

Optics

Min focal length
85 mm
Max focal length
85 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
85 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.8
Max aperture zoom
1.8
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
85 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Autofocus mode
Yes

Physical

Lens weight
395 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
62 mm
Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X