It is worth mentioning that Meike have never released *any* firmware update for their older E-mount manual-focus 85mm/1.8 which also had a micro-usb port, and thus never fixed the problem that the lens caused the IBIS to not work (even when setting the focal length manually).
They have released a couple updates since this comment was posted that have significantly improved the lens function. Thought I would provide an update.
I think this lens is being given a bit of an unfair shake by some commenters, for the price atleast. It's easy to forget that some people can't stretch the budget for a $500 85mm lens even if they wanted to. And beginner photographers especially will be scared away by the prospect of manual focus. This lens hits a good market with little competition. Even if more established photographers wouldn't consider it an option.
And I didnt find its performance to be too bad to find unacceptable. If you stop down to f2.8 the middle of the image becomes quite decent and at f4 it's not too bad from corner to corner. It's directed at beginners and leans towards being used as a portrait lense so there may often be a rather controlled environment. All in all it's very okay for the price you pay.
Thanks for the review. One thing I’ve never seen mentioned in reviews - so it may or may not be particular to my copy of the lens - is that when shooting with Electronic First Curtain Shutter turned on, there is a gradient shadow (in horizontal orientation) in the top 1/4-1/3 of the frame, increasingly so, at speeds 1/1000 and higher. This is exacerbated by smaller apertures, as well. This does not occur with full-mechanical shutter, nor with full-electronic shutter. A consolation: if shooting outdoors at wide apertures (and therefore faster speeds), it’s best to shoot with full-mechanical shutter, since EFCS causes “bokeh” to look choppy or distorted.
I'll translate the silence for you guys: "Unfortunately, this lens does NOT come recommended. I suggest splashing out a bit more money on a lens that will be far superior for the little extra you will pay."
Been waiting for this one. Low contrast is a pass from me. My samyang 85 1.4 bugs out like you describe here, but it seems to be a build quality lottery with that lens.
Which cheapo 85mm AF lens is better? The Meike or the Yongnuo? Seems like the Yongnuo is a more modern design. Is there any other cheap portrait AF lens in the market?
Hello Christopher, I really trust your review, mainly you are consistent. When you are comparing lens and trying to determine the right lens to choice, it is nice to be consistent. I was looking at a review from Matt Irwin on the same lens for the Z mount and lens filter is 77mm and in your video the filter size was 67mm. Was there an update to the lens for the Z mount? Also, there was aperture ring on the lens and on the Sony version there wasn't.
Hi Christopher Frost. My Meike has a very large chromatic deviation. Do you know if this has a fix or do I need to modify something in the configuration? Happens on A7C and ZVE10
Bad compared to modern robo-lenses. But this lens really resembles de performance of previous generation designs, and because of this, to me, it has some advantages compared to other modern designs: Far less vignetting, and most likely, more background blur, due to uncorrected focus breathing. I think that for the price, is a very good lens.
Seems like a worse Viltrox 85mm. That one had its issues with AF but those got fixed with firmware update(s). This one just seems to be mediocre all around.
I wouldn't hold my hopes up for this lens's AF getting fixed with a firmware update. The older Meike 85mm/1.8 had the micro-usb port, but never got *any* firmware update, despite having a serious bug of disabling IBIS.
TBH this lens is underwhelming based on the testing you shared. It is odd because I've seen good optics coming from Chinese manufacturers, namely LAOWA, 7Artisans, and TTArtisan. While they are manual focus lenses, their optical quality seems much better than this lens.
I bought the Nikon F mount lens ... I hate it and couldn't get along with it ... the flaring and ghosting is so bad even when the source of light is out of the picture and the hood is on ... reduce the aperture opening doesn't improve anything.. I returned it and got a great deal for Nikon 85 1.8g for 225$ ... the Nikon lens is from another league colors and picture IQ is way better ...
I have this lens it’s really not bad as you making it…..Wack hate people that do reviews on camera gear.. it’s $200 lens wtf do y’all expect… wack video some people with all the expensive gear always have the boring as content…
It is worth mentioning that Meike have never released *any* firmware update for their older E-mount manual-focus 85mm/1.8 which also had a micro-usb port, and thus never fixed the problem that the lens caused the IBIS to not work (even when setting the focal length manually).
They have released a couple updates since this comment was posted that have significantly improved the lens function. Thought I would provide an update.
how about now?
I think this lens is being given a bit of an unfair shake by some commenters, for the price atleast.
It's easy to forget that some people can't stretch the budget for a $500 85mm lens even if they wanted to. And beginner photographers especially will be scared away by the prospect of manual focus. This lens hits a good market with little competition. Even if more established photographers wouldn't consider it an option.
U're right.. 👌
And I didnt find its performance to be too bad to find unacceptable. If you stop down to f2.8 the middle of the image becomes quite decent and at f4 it's not too bad from corner to corner.
It's directed at beginners and leans towards being used as a portrait lense so there may often be a rather controlled environment. All in all it's very okay for the price you pay.
I would go for the viltrox 85mm f1.8 that's like 400$
@@tankivulture148 in my opinion, they are at the same level of optical performance but Viltrox just charged us twice of that.
@@cinelensgeeky3648 I have the viltrox, it's much better than this, honestly
Hi Chris! Thank you for the great content. You are my favorite and most trusted reviewer! Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the review. One thing I’ve never seen mentioned in reviews - so it may or may not be particular to my copy of the lens - is that when shooting with Electronic First Curtain Shutter turned on, there is a gradient shadow (in horizontal orientation) in the top 1/4-1/3 of the frame, increasingly so, at speeds 1/1000 and higher. This is exacerbated by smaller apertures, as well. This does not occur with full-mechanical shutter, nor with full-electronic shutter.
A consolation: if shooting outdoors at wide apertures (and therefore faster speeds), it’s best to shoot with full-mechanical shutter, since EFCS causes “bokeh” to look choppy or distorted.
3:39 Can confirm, I have lenses designed 50 years ago that don't have that much fringing at f/1.8 😅
I'll translate the silence for you guys: "Unfortunately, this lens does NOT come recommended. I suggest splashing out a bit more money on a lens that will be far superior for the little extra you will pay."
Agree.... Meike is screaming garbage. Would never attach something like this to my cameras. Waste of money.
But what lens would be ideal without breaking the bank?
@@ytsub7 Samyang. The manuals.
@@ytsub7 viltrox for example..
Been waiting for this one. Low contrast is a pass from me. My samyang 85 1.4 bugs out like you describe here, but it seems to be a build quality lottery with that lens.
Wish to see the new Laowa 12-24 f5.6! looks great on paper, only need to see his quality/downsides. Looks interesting for architecture.
Looking forward to your review of the new Meike Z mount 1.4 version which seems to be a huge leap forward for this 3rd party lens manufacturer.
Which cheapo 85mm AF lens is better? The Meike or the Yongnuo? Seems like the Yongnuo is a more modern design. Is there any other cheap portrait AF lens in the market?
Hello Christopher, I really trust your review, mainly you are consistent. When you are comparing lens and trying to determine the right lens to choice, it is nice to be consistent. I was looking at a review from Matt Irwin on the same lens for the Z mount and lens filter is 77mm and in your video the filter size was 67mm. Was there an update to the lens for the Z mount? Also, there was aperture ring on the lens and on the Sony version there wasn't.
My £2000 Fujifilm GFX GF 80mm 1.7 feels like it has similar purple fringing wide open, a lot sharper though..
Modern 3rd party lenses are so good, a lens of this poor quality really stands out like a sore thumb
My question is why a lens needs to be updated?
If they sold this as a 85mm f4 this would feel like a very different lens.
Hi Christopher Frost.
My Meike has a very large chromatic deviation. Do you know if this has a fix or do I need to modify something in the configuration?
Happens on A7C and ZVE10
Bad compared to modern robo-lenses. But this lens really resembles de performance of previous generation designs, and because of this, to me, it has some advantages compared to other modern designs: Far less vignetting, and most likely, more background blur, due to uncorrected focus breathing. I think that for the price, is a very good lens.
I wouldn't touch this lens even with a 10-foot pole. Glad I bought a Viltrox 85mm f1.8Z for some more cash. Didn't regret paying extra for it.
Can I install it on a6400
I think I'd rather pay $1200 more for the Sigma 85. Many thanks for the review as always. Best background music of all photo/video channels.
i know right 😂 but some of us (not me) are working on a budget that’s not always an option
@@SunnySoCal To be fair, I am rather broke myself 😇 One lives in hope!
Wonder if this will work on the a7iv?
Seems like a worse Viltrox 85mm. That one had its issues with AF but those got fixed with firmware update(s). This one just seems to be mediocre all around.
I wouldn't hold my hopes up for this lens's AF getting fixed with a firmware update. The older Meike 85mm/1.8 had the micro-usb port, but never got *any* firmware update, despite having a serious bug of disabling IBIS.
are you sure that the lense is not available for canon?
It's available for Canon
Its not fully commpatibe with R and S models
You always need to touch it to make sure 😂😂
TBH this lens is underwhelming based on the testing you shared. It is odd because I've seen good optics coming from Chinese manufacturers, namely LAOWA, 7Artisans, and TTArtisan. While they are manual focus lenses, their optical quality seems much better than this lens.
I bought the Nikon F mount lens ... I hate it and couldn't get along with it ... the flaring and ghosting is so bad even when the source of light is out of the picture and the hood is on ... reduce the aperture opening doesn't improve anything.. I returned it and got a great deal for Nikon 85 1.8g for 225$ ... the Nikon lens is from another league colors and picture IQ is way better ...
It's more than worth it to spend $90 more and get something like Samyang 75mm 1.8
It could be interesting if you are into artistic effects.. It has a soul.. not clinical like the rest of the more expensive competition
Any update on the R7. Seems to be delayed. My order is anyway
Pretty good if you remove the sticker and put a 85mm f2.8 - f4 😂
Got this for 140$. I'll take it and just use f2.8. good deal.
that's a pretty horrible performance, even with 200 dollars you can buy an used old lens with better performance than this.
I’ll just stick to my Samyang 75mm 1.8
So, Canon finally approves of a specific 3rd party rf lens...and it's practically unusable.
I have this lens it’s really not bad as you making it…..Wack hate people that do reviews on camera gear.. it’s $200 lens wtf do y’all expect… wack video some people with all the expensive gear always have the boring as content…
Cough-Viltrox-cough!
Looks more like an f/4 lens dressed up as an f/1.8...
whahahhaaa
they build this lens for kids only.. lolx
This lens is trash. Lol.
how about Canon RF Canon???? and u?? hahahaha OMG Canon... give authorisation WTH...
Definitely NOT selling my Canon RF 85 F/2 STM for this. :)
A pretty miserable lens.