Meike Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II Full Frame Auto Focus Review
The Meike 85mm F1.8 gives you pro-level autofocus in a cheap, lightweight package. Just don't expect it to be optically perfect.
Overview
The Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II is a lightweight, full-frame portrait lens for Nikon Z shooters. It's got a fast f/1.8 aperture for that nice background blur, and it's packing a quiet STM autofocus motor that actually works really well.
At about 380 grams, it's a featherweight compared to most native glass. The build is plastic, but it feels solid enough. There's even a USB-C port on the mount for firmware updates, which is a cool and forward-thinking touch.
Performance
Autofocus is the star here. It lands in the 96th percentile, which means it's fast, quiet, and accurate for both photos and video. The image stabilization is also surprisingly good, sitting in the 88th percentile. The f/1.8 aperture is solid for portraits, but the optical performance percentile is only 34th. That means it's sharp enough in the center, but don't expect pro-level corner sharpness wide open. And yeah, the 17th percentile macro score confirms it's not for close-up work.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Autofocus is incredibly fast and quiet. 96th
- Image stabilization works really well. 87th
- It's very light and easy to handle. 75th
- The USB-C port for updates is a great feature. 68th
Cons
- Optical sharpness, especially in the corners, is just okay. 18th
- It's not weather-sealed at all. 35th
- Forget about using it for macro photography.
- It's a one-trick pony, scoring low in versatility.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.8 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At around $230, it's a steal if you need an 85mm lens and prioritize autofocus and stabilization over ultimate optical perfection. You're getting pro-level focus performance for a fraction of the price of a Nikon S-Line lens. Just know you're trading some build quality and optical refinement for that low cost.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the native Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, and the Nikon wins on optics and build, but it costs three or four times as much. Compared to other third-party options like the Viltrox 35mm F1.7, the Meike has a much longer focal length and way better autofocus, but the Viltrox is more versatile for general use. If you're a portrait shooter on a budget who needs reliable AF, this Meike is a compelling choice over saving for the native option.
| Spec | Meike Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II Full Frame Auto Focus | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens (Nikon Z) | Panasonic Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II | Viltrox VILTROX 23mm F1.4 Auto Focus APS-C Frame Lens for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 16-50mm | 14-140mm | 23mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 380 | 544 | 281 | 329 | 27 | 499 |
| AF Type | STM | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | — | STM |
| Lens Type | — | Zoom | — | Zoom | Telephoto | — |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a Nikon Z shooter who wants a lightweight, affordable 85mm lens with killer autofocus for portraits and video. Skip it if you need weather sealing, pixel-perfect corner sharpness, or a lens that can do a bit of everything.