The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro II, a fresh version of Meike's budget-friendly autofocus lens, is here, and it comes with some impressive upgrades. With portrait lenses often costing quite a bit, finding affordable yet capable alternatives is something every camera enthusiast appreciates.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this practical video thoroughly examines how the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro II performs in real-world conditions. Right away, Frost notes that the build quality feels decent, with a plastic body and metal mount, plus weather-sealing for durability. The lens offers an aperture ring with distinct clicks, making accidental adjustments less likely, and includes a convenient USB-C port for easy firmware updates. Autofocus is silent and dependable, handling subject tracking well, although it can feel slightly slow in single-shot mode compared to continuous autofocus.
Frost found remarkable sharpness at f/1.8, especially in the center. Corner performance was solid, too, though naturally softer wide open, but still impressive considering the lens’s budget price. When tested on APS-C, sharpness remained outstanding, suggesting this lens could excel for tighter portraits or detailed subjects. If you shoot video, you’ll appreciate its minimal focus breathing, a nice bonus in a lens at this price point.
Key Specs
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Aperture Range: f/1.8-f/16
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Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.85 m
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Focal Length: 85mm
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Lens Structure: 8 Groups, 11 Elements
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Filter Size: 62mm
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Outer Diameter: 76mm
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Weight: 389 g
While praising the lens' impressive sharpness and pleasant bokeh, Frost pointed out a few areas of concern. Handling bright lights could be improved, as the lens shows some noticeable flaring. However, he mentions the provided lens hood significantly helps reduce this issue. Additionally, Frost was pleased to see minimal distortion and manageable vignetting, which clears up quickly when you stop down slightly. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
