If you’re not familiar with Meike, it’s a Hoing Kong-based company that’s been making waves as a manufacturer of cut-priced camera and cine lenses, plus lens adapters and other accessories. It operates under the slogan of ‘realize your vision’ and if you need to do that within strict price limits, there’s a growing range of tempting products.
I was recently pretty impressed with the full-frame compatible Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro AF lens for Nikon Z and Sony E-mount cameras. The 85mm that I’m reviewing here is from Meike’s SE rather than Pro line-up, and has relatively basic handling without an aperture control ring or a customizable function button. Ultimately, this Meike prime keeps things simple but still aims to be one of the best portrait lenses, at least if you’re on a tight budget. The company also produces Canon EF mount and Nikon F mount versions of the lens that are physically shorter, if you’re hankering after a portrait prime for your DSLR.
