TECHWEEK
HongKong Meike Digital Technology Co. introduced the Meike 85mm F 1.4 STM full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z and Sony FE mirrorless cameras, announced back in the spring at the NAB’2023 exhibition. Let us remind you that the company already has a popular and cheaper full-frame 85mm f/1.8 STM AF lens with questionable autofocus , but for only $200. It was released three years ago, we hope that the autofocus of the new high-aperture version has been improved.
The manufacturer positions the Meike MK 85mm f/1.4 as “a high-quality portrait lens that provides high-resolution in-focus images and soft background blur. It allows you to obtain sharp and clear images at any aperture value. Meike says that it uses
the latest optical design, which allows achieving large aperture f/1.4. Multilayer lenses contribute to the transmission of more realistic colors, the front lens is coated with a coating that repels grease, dirt and water.”
Stepper (STM) drive provides fast, smooth and silent autofocus, electronic aperture control and EXIF information transfer.
The body is metal, there is a customizable user button next to the AF/M switch, and a USB connector for firmware updates on the bayonet side.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not accompany the publication with MTF charts, and the examples of photographs taken with the Meike 85mm F1.4 STM are quite small in size to draw conclusions about the quality of the image from this lens.
Sample photo
Characteristics
- Focal length: 85mm
- Sensor format: full frame
- Thread diameter for filter: 77 mm
- Optical design: 13 elements in 8 groups
- Aperture range: F1.4–F16
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.98m
- Aperture: 12-blade
- Full frame viewing angle: 28.87° (diagonal), 24.1° (horizontal), 16.14° (vertical)
- User custom button
- Focus: auto/manual
- Mounts: Sony E, Nikon Z (Leica L and Canon RF expected)
What about the prices?
The price of the lens is $470. The version of the lens for Sony is already available for pre-order on the manufacturer’s website with shipments starting at the end of October, and the version for Nikon Z can be ordered from the middle of next month.
The main intrigue is whether Meike will release the promised version for the RF mount after Canon’s public warning ? Or it will abandon it like the Viltrox company , which released the Viltrox 85mm F1.8 RF STM , but now officially does not sell it in Western markets.
