Canon EF Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephoto Portrait Review

The Meike 85mm F1.8 is a full-frame prime lens for Canon EF shooters. It's built for portraits and subject isolation, with that classic 85mm focal length and a bright f/1.8 aperture. And it's got some modern tricks, like built-in stabilization and a USB port for firmware updates. For the price, it's packing a lot of features you don't usually see.

Image quality is decent. Sharpness lands in the 61st percentile, which is fine for the money. The bokeh is smooth thanks to the 9-blade diaphragm, scoring in the 66th percentile. The stabilization is actually a standout, sitting in the 86th percentile and really helping with handheld shots. The autofocus, though, is a weak spot. It's in the 45th percentile, so don't expect lightning speed or rock-solid tracking.

At around $170, the value proposition is simple. You're getting an 85mm f/1.8 with stabilization, which is a combo you won't find from the first-party brands at ten times the price. The trade-off is in the autofocus performance and the lack of weather sealing. If you can live with slower focus, it's a steal.

Compared to the Viltrox 35mm F1.7, you're trading a wider focal length for more subject compression and better background separation. The Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro is a closer match, but it lacks stabilization. Against a first-party lens like the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, you're giving up a ton of autofocus performance and optical quality, but saving a massive amount of cash. This Meike sits in a niche of its own: budget-friendly, stabilized portrait glass.

Buy this if you're a Canon EF shooter on a tight budget who wants to dabble in portraits. The stabilization and aperture are great for the money. Skip it if you need fast, reliable autofocus for action or events, or if you shoot in bad weather often.