I bought this lens for my crop sensor Canon DSLR. Since it's a crop sensor camera, this 85mm lens equates to about a 135mm lens. I have a 50mm f1.8 lens which equates to about an 80mm lens, so I bought this one for something a bit longer. I didn't want to spend a lot on it since I won't use it that much, but it would be nice to have in the kit with such a low f-stop when needed.
For the money, literally hundreds less than name brand 85mm lenses, this lens is a keeper. I have a couple minor complaints, but then again, I wasn't expecting it to be perfect for the price, and it worked out better that I ever expected. All the attached photos were taken the day I got the lens. They were all shot between about 11pm and 11:30pm, at ISO 400 or 1600, f1.8, handheld, between 1/25 and 1/125 of a second.
First off, this lens does not have image stabilization. So, since it acts like a mid-range telephoto lens, shooting skill or use of a mono or tripod may be needed at slower shutter speeds to minimize blur. Second, the autofocus is loud. Not real loud, but definitely more noisy than any Canon or Sigma lens I own. Noticeably louder. If using this lens shooting a wedding, it would be heard, unlike my Canon or Sigma lenses. Third, at f1.8, with high contract objects, like light bulbs against a night sky, or tree leaves against a bright sky, there is noticeable purple fringing. At f2.0, it's barely perceptible, and at f2.8 and above, it's gone.
This purple fringing is not uncommon for many lenses when they are used wide open. It is also very fixable in photo editing programs. Most have a "de-fringe" kind of setting that when checked, removed it. All the light bulbs in the attached photos had some purple fringing, but my software removed it with just the click of a checkbox in the program.
The images are a bit soft wide open at f1.8 (not a bad thing actually), noticeably improved at f2.0, and at f2.8, I'd rate it excellent for sharpness. At f4.0 to f11, the photos are stunning. A bit of chromatic aberration starts to be noticeable if you look for it, but it won't jump out at you. At f16 and f22, it is more notable, but again, it's not that uncommon for many lenses at those really small apertures. I didn't include any daytime shots, because if you like the night shots I uploaded at f1.8, you're going to love your photos in daylight.
The lens seems solidly built. It is a plastic lens rather than metal, so it's not one you would want to treat poorly, but the mount is a metal ring and connects solidly. I don't know what the longevity will be. At this price, some corners obviously need to be cut. Time will tell, and I'll update if there is something new to report. I have no idea how photos from this lens would look on a full frame sensor camera, but on my crop sensor, they're better and more than I was expecting for the price. For me, it's a worthwhile addition to my kit at this price, for the occasional times I need this focal length.
Meike 85mm f1.8 Large Aperture Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS EF Mount Digital SLR Camera Compatible with
4.2 | 715 ratings
Price: 169.99
Last update: 08-31-2024
About this item
Filter size is 67mm, minimum focus distance with 0.85m
Lens aperture range is F/1.8-F/22, lens construction with 6 groups of 9 pieces
Full frame view: level: 16 degree / vertical: 24 degrees / diagonal: 28.5 degrees
Lens carrying the usual electronic contacts, but also a USB connection that can be used to upgrade the lens firmware
Suitable for a wide range of other subjects, including selective architecture, landscapes, portrait, short range sports and theatre photography
Lens aperture range is F/1.8-F/22, lens construction with 6 groups of 9 pieces
Full frame view: level: 16 degree / vertical: 24 degrees / diagonal: 28.5 degrees
Lens carrying the usual electronic contacts, but also a USB connection that can be used to upgrade the lens firmware
Suitable for a wide range of other subjects, including selective architecture, landscapes, portrait, short range sports and theatre photography
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 4.41 x 3.54 x 3.54 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 14.8 ounces |
| ASIN | B07GTFN1KR |
| Item model number | 972433 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars
714 ratings
4.2 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #177 in SLR Camera Lenses |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | August 24, 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Meike |
| Country of Origin | China |
Top reviews from the United States
Tim M
For the price point, it's a great lens.
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
Tim M
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
For the money, literally hundreds less than name brand 85mm lenses, this lens is a keeper. I have a couple minor complaints, but then again, I wasn't expecting it to be perfect for the price, and it worked out better that I ever expected. All the attached photos were taken the day I got the lens. They were all shot between about 11pm and 11:30pm, at ISO 400 or 1600, f1.8, handheld, between 1/25 and 1/125 of a second.
First off, this lens does not have image stabilization. So, since it acts like a mid-range telephoto lens, shooting skill or use of a mono or tripod may be needed at slower shutter speeds to minimize blur. Second, the autofocus is loud. Not real loud, but definitely more noisy than any Canon or Sigma lens I own. Noticeably louder. If using this lens shooting a wedding, it would be heard, unlike my Canon or Sigma lenses. Third, at f1.8, with high contract objects, like light bulbs against a night sky, or tree leaves against a bright sky, there is noticeable purple fringing. At f2.0, it's barely perceptible, and at f2.8 and above, it's gone.
This purple fringing is not uncommon for many lenses when they are used wide open. It is also very fixable in photo editing programs. Most have a "de-fringe" kind of setting that when checked, removed it. All the light bulbs in the attached photos had some purple fringing, but my software removed it with just the click of a checkbox in the program.
The images are a bit soft wide open at f1.8 (not a bad thing actually), noticeably improved at f2.0, and at f2.8, I'd rate it excellent for sharpness. At f4.0 to f11, the photos are stunning. A bit of chromatic aberration starts to be noticeable if you look for it, but it won't jump out at you. At f16 and f22, it is more notable, but again, it's not that uncommon for many lenses at those really small apertures. I didn't include any daytime shots, because if you like the night shots I uploaded at f1.8, you're going to love your photos in daylight.
The lens seems solidly built. It is a plastic lens rather than metal, so it's not one you would want to treat poorly, but the mount is a metal ring and connects solidly. I don't know what the longevity will be. At this price, some corners obviously need to be cut. Time will tell, and I'll update if there is something new to report. I have no idea how photos from this lens would look on a full frame sensor camera, but on my crop sensor, they're better and more than I was expecting for the price. For me, it's a worthwhile addition to my kit at this price, for the occasional times I need this focal length.
Images in this review
Garandguy76
An excellent lens for students and amateurs
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2022
Garandguy76
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2022
I consider myself to be an amateur, with a few years of Photography under my belt. I've never owned an 85mm lens, have read that they're great for portraits, and can be expensive. I decided, for the price, this would be a great way to get into more portraits and storytelling style photos.
This is an excellent teaching lens, it's forgiving, and doesn't include the Image Stabilization of your more expensive lenses, so it is recommended that you use a tripod, or develop solid posture with your camera. A nice feature is the Auto Focus, as well as the manual focus. This lens doesn't zoom, it's fixed at 85mm, so you will have to work to get your photos just the way you want them, but at this price point, it's certainly worth it. I'm also learning how to improve my manual focus, so again, an excellent teaching lens. You really need to plan your shots to some degree to benefit from any 85mm lens, so please try to remember, this is more than a "point and shoot" lens.
The auto focus is not silent, especially if you're reading reviews from Photogs who use $800+ lenses, to them, it sounds like a 747 parking next to their bed at midnight. Trust me, it's not that loud, nowhere close to it. I've enclosed my most recent work, a panoramic consisting of 3 photos, all taken with this lens, digitally merged. If you look carefully at the photo, you'll hear the noise the lens made when I took the pictures......
The lens comes with the ability to update the firmware, but I have yet to figure out the procedure. The included documentation doesn't make it easy to find. A simple and easy to understand solution needs to be provided by the manufacturer, soon.
Overall, I'm very happy with this lens, the money I've saved, and the photos I've taken. Again, as long as you understand what you're buying, vs what your expectations are, your experience with this lens should be a great one.
Images in this review
Erick Cario
AF doesn’t work but Manual Mode gets great pictures
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Erick Cario
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Images in this review
Hayrod
Excellent Portrait Lens
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021