Meike AF 25mm F1.7 Air STM

The Meike AF 25mm F1.7 Air STM is a compact autofocus prime for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offered for Sony E, Fujifilm X and Nikon Z mounts. It belongs to Meike's Air line of light lenses. On APS-C a 25 mm lens gives a field of view a little wider than a classic standard lens, which suits street, travel and everyday photography.

Optical design

Meike lists 12 elements in 9 groups, a 9-blade diaphragm and an aperture range of f/1.7 to f/16. According to Meike, the optics deliver sharp detail from center to edge with reduced flare and chromatic aberration. The angle of view on APS-C is 60.2 degrees diagonally. The minimum focus distance of 0.25 m allows fairly close subjects for a 25 mm lens. Meike also publishes MTF charts for f/1.7 and f/4.

Autofocus and handling

An STM stepping motor drives the autofocus, with smart face and eye tracking on compatible cameras. Meike stresses low distortion and minimal focus breathing as advantages for video. The lens has a manual focus ring, and the white version shows an AF/MF switch on the barrel. The filter thread measures 52 mm.

Build and size

Meike gives a weight of only approx. 170 g, with a diameter of 65.5 mm and a length of 59.2 mm. The lens is available in black and white. Meike lists the same figures for all three mounts, so small differences between mounts cannot be ruled out.

Where it fits

The 25 mm focal length sits between wide primes such as the Sony E 20mm F2.8 or the Viltrox AF 20mm F2.8 and normal lenses such as the Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS. On Fujifilm X, the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR is a weather-resistant alternative with a similar field of view. On Nikon Z, the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 24mm F1.7 is a first-party competitor.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Light at about 170 g and compact
• f/1.7 maximum aperture
• Close focusing to 0.25 m
• 9 aperture blades
• Black and white versions

Cons

• No optical stabilisation in the lens
• Image quality claims rest on Meike's own material
• The figures are not broken down per mount

Verdict

The Meike AF 25mm F1.7 Air STM is a lightweight, fast wide-normal prime for small APS-C bodies. The data show a bright f/1.7 aperture, close focusing and a very low weight. It is a good fit for travel and walk-around use, while users who need weather resistance or stabilisation in the lens should look at the first-party alternatives named above.