Meike AF 85mm f1.8 Pro STM

Sony E

Review

The Meike AF 85mm f1.8 Pro STM is a prime lens designed specifically for Sony E mount cameras, offering photographers a versatile tool for various types of photography, particularly portraiture and low-light scenarios. With a focal length of 85mm, this lens falls into the classic short telephoto category, making it ideal for capturing tight headshots and beautifully blurred backgrounds.

Build Quality and Design

The build quality of the Meike AF 85mm f1.8 Pro STM is commendable, featuring a robust metal body that feels solid in hand. The lens has a smooth matte finish, which not only adds an aesthetic appeal but also helps in reducing any unwanted reflections during shooting. The focusing ring is damped nicely, offering a smooth manual focus experience when needed, while the autofocus is responsive and relatively quick, leveraging a stepping motor (STM) for quiet operation—something that filmmakers will surely appreciate.

Optical Performance

When it comes to optical quality, the Meike AF 85mm f1.8 delivers crisp images with impressive sharpness across the frame, even at its maximum aperture of f1.8. You can expect plenty of detail in your portraits, with the added advantage of excellent separation between subject and background thanks to its wide aperture. The lens performs well in low-light conditions, allowing for handheld shots without needing to bump up the ISO significantly.

One of the standout performances of this lens is its bokeh. Meike has designed the 85mm f1.8 to produce a creamy, smooth background blur that photographers covet, giving an almost dream-like quality to portraits. However, there is a subtle "busy" quality to the bokeh in certain high-contrast situations, which might not appeal to everyone.

Autofocus and Compatibility

In terms of autofocus capabilities, the Meike lens is generally quick and reliable, compatible with Sony's Fast Hybrid AF system. It's worth noting that while autofocus accuracy is good, it might struggle in low light conditions or with very low-contrast subjects. Additionally, this lens is fully compatible with Sony's eye autofocus technology, which makes it a great choice for portrait photographers looking to keep the subject's eye in sharp focus.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Solid metal build quality
• Fast and quiet autofocus
• Excellent sharpness and detail
• Beautiful bokeh
• Good low-light performance

Cons

• Autofocus can struggle in low-light situations
• Bokeh quality may not appeal to all
• Limited weather-sealing features

Verdict

The Meike AF 85mm f1.8 Pro STM lens for Sony E mount offers a compelling combination of build quality, optical performance, and usability, making it an attractive option for photographers who need a reliable portrait lens. While it does have some minor drawbacks, such as autofocus performance in challenging light and bokeh characteristics, its positives outweigh these concerns, especially given its price point. If you're searching for an affordable yet high-quality 85mm option for your Sony camera, this lens is definitely worth considering.