The 85mm f/1.4 lens is perhaps the most classic and highly sought-after model, offering an excellent portrait focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture for especially soft backgrounds. However, such lenses are often rather expensive, easily topping $2,000. So, at less than $500, the Meike 85mm f/1.4 AF is an especially intriguing option. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this great video review takes a look at the Meike 85mm f/1.4 AF lens. At $469, the 85mm f/1.4 is a very affordable lens, but it still offers a nice range of features, including:
- Designed for Nikon Z, Leica L, and Sony E mounts
- STM motor for smooth and quiet autofocus
- Minimum Focus Distance: 3.2' / 98 cm
- Multilayer coating reduces flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color accuracy
- Electronic contacts for EXIF data
- Micro-USB port enables firmware upgrades
- AF/MF mode switch
- 77mm filter thread
- Optical design: 13 elements in 8 groups
- Filter Size: 77 mm
While it won't take the crown from top-level options, the 85mm f/1.4 produces very decent results at a great price. Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts on the lens.
"A number of optical issues, as well as quite slow autofocus and a long minimum focus distance" doesn't sound like real competition for the established and favorably reviewed Samyang 85/1.4, which is available for around $500.