Meike 85mm f1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Medium Telephoto Review
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro offers autofocus that rivals lenses twice its price, making it a killer value for Fujifilm portrait and video shooters.
Overview
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro is a shockingly good autofocus lens for the money, but it's not for everyone. If you're a Fujifilm shooter who lives for portraits and video, this lens is a no-brainer. It nails the classic 85mm look with smooth bokeh and a bright f/1.8 aperture. But if you're looking for a walk-around lens, look elsewhere. Its 85mm focal length on an APS-C sensor is tight, and the travel score of 57.8 tells you everything you need to know about its one-trick-pony nature.
Performance
The autofocus is the star here. It lands in the 96th percentile, and you can feel it. Eye AF locks on from across the room and holds tight, even in dim light. For video, that STM motor is smooth and quiet. The stabilization, sitting in the 89th percentile, is a nice bonus that lets you handhold slower shutter speeds. Honestly, the AF performance punches way above this price point.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile) 88th
- Strong macro (85th percentile) 85th
- Strong aperture (77th percentile) 76th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 8 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 |
Build
| Mount | Fujifilm X |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 85 |
Value & Pricing
At around $300, this lens is a steal. You're getting pro-level autofocus and stabilization in a package that costs hundreds less than first-party options. Just know exactly what you're buying: a specialized tool, not a generalist.
Price History
vs Competition
The most direct competitor is the Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro. It's wider, lighter, and a bit more versatile for general use, but you lose the classic 85mm portrait compression. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is another option if you want a wider field of view for storytelling or environmental portraits. But if your goal is flattering, tight headshots and smooth video, the 85mm's focal length is king. Just remember, on Fujifilm's APS-C sensors, this 85mm acts like a 127mm lens, so you need space to use it.
| Spec | Meike 85mm f1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Medium Telephoto | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus | Sirui Sniper Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 24mm | - | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M | Canon RF | Fujifilm X | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 388 | 400 | 544 | 272 | 320 | 422 |
| AF Type | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | Wide-Angle Zoom | Wide-Angle | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meike 85mm f1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Medium Telephoto | 95.6 | 68.8 | 65.8 | 85.3 | 72 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 55.6 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.5 | 37.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.3 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare | 46.4 | 81.8 | 87.6 | 81 | 82.5 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 98 | 99.9 |
| Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 88.8 | 85.3 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 86.7 | 87.8 |
| Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Compare | 46.4 | 96.7 | 73.8 | 53.4 | 79.8 | 95.9 | 37.5 | 98 | 87.8 |
Verdict
Buy this lens. If you shoot portraits, talking-head videos, or anything where subject isolation is key, the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro delivers performance that embarrasses its price tag. Its weaknesses (versatility, build) are easy to forgive when the core experience—getting sharp, well-stabilized shots with beautiful blur—is this good. Skip it only if you need a walk-around lens or weather sealing.