Meike Meike 24mm f/1.4 AF Lens (Nikon Z) Review
The Meike 24mm f/1.4 AF delivers excellent sharpness and a fast aperture for Nikon Z cameras at a good price, but its autofocus and lack of stabilization hold it back.
Overview
The Meike 24mm f/1.4 AF is a fast, wide-angle prime for Nikon Z shooters. It's built for full-frame cameras and promises sharp images and nice bokeh with that f/1.4 aperture. This isn't a tiny travel lens, but it's a solid option for photographers who need a bright, wide prime.
You get autofocus here, which is a big deal for a third-party lens at this price. It's designed to handle portraits and professional work really well, according to the scores. Just don't expect it to be your go-to for hiking or casual walkaround shooting.
Performance
Optically, this lens is strong. It scores in the 89th percentile for image quality, and that f/1.4 aperture is in the 88th percentile. That means it's sharp and lets in a ton of light. The bokeh is also rated highly. The autofocus, however, is just average, landing in the 47th percentile. And there's no image stabilization, which is a bummer for handheld video or low-light stills. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but the core image-making performance is where it shines.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and optical quality. 90th
- Very fast f/1.4 aperture for low light and shallow depth of field. 88th
- Autofocus is a welcome feature at this price point. 82th
- Pleasant bokeh quality for a wide-angle lens. 67th
Cons
- No image stabilization at all.
- Autofocus performance is just okay, not great.
- It's not weather-sealed.
- It's heavy and not versatile for travel.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 12 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 279 |
Value & Pricing
At around $589, this lens sits in an interesting spot. You're getting f/1.4 performance and solid optics for hundreds less than a first-party Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens. You are giving up weather sealing, top-tier build, and possibly some AF consistency. If your budget is tight and your priority is image quality over everything else, it's a compelling deal. If you need reliable, fast autofocus for action or video, you might want to look elsewhere.
vs Competition
Stacked up, the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z is cheaper and lighter, but it's a different focal length (35mm vs 24mm) and slower (f/1.7 vs f/1.4). The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is a portrait-focused alternative. Against the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S, you save money but lose out on weather sealing, arguably better build, and likely superior autofocus and stabilization. The Meike wins on pure aperture speed and value-for-image-quality, but the Nikon is the more complete, reliable package.
| Spec | Meike Meike 24mm f/1.4 AF Lens (Nikon Z) | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 55mm | 35mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 544 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 422 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
Buy this lens if you're a Nikon Z shooter on a budget who needs a sharp, fast-aperture wide-angle prime for portraits, events, or low-light stills, and you can live without stabilization and top-tier autofocus. Skip it if you shoot a lot of video handheld, need weather sealing, or rely on lightning-fast, accurate autofocus for moving subjects.