Thanks for the review. One thing I’ve never seen mentioned in reviews - so it may or may not be particular to my copy of the lens - is that when shooting with Electronic First Curtain Shutter turned on, there is a gradient shadow (in horizontal orientation) in the top 1/4-1/3 of the frame, increasingly so, at speeds 1/1000 and higher. This is exacerbated by smaller apertures, as well. This does not occur with full-mechanical shutter, nor with full-electronic shutter. A consolation: if shooting outdoors at wide apertures (and therefore faster speeds), it’s best to shoot with full-mechanical shutter, since EFCS causes “bokeh” to look choppy or distorted.
Great review, just purchased this lens, for like 179$ , still waiting for sony a7ii body to arrive. Just tiny correction , its not USB type C but micro USB port , also mine come with updated 1.20 firmware version.
Lovely images, Dustin. I especially liked the relatively close flower and leaf images. You show that this is a very nice lens, regardless of price. It could be a very good choice. Thank you. I enjoy your reviews . I like the photos you take.
Great review Dustin. Can I ask you something? I have an a6600 I am doubting btwn 85mm Viltrox (360$) vs Meike (190$). Is it worth it the extra money for the viltrox? Thank you.
Interesting lens, I'm surprised how many options we have nowadays from 3rd party manufacturers. I wouldn't be surprised if this a copy of the 85mm USM from Canon, the way it renders, focuses and the fact that it has kind of the same shape and size (+ the space in the rear)
I could not get mine to work at all. I tried 2 different lenses, and 3 different mounts. I really wanted this lens but man my m50 would not respond at all even with the settings changed.
@@mattduncan5500 Hey Matt, the video will be posted tomorrow morning! Here are my findings, I think AF in video mode totally depends on the camera body you have. I'm working with the a6600, and for me, the meike 85mm found focus 50% of the time. At times, it would find focus, hold it for 15 seconds, then lose it. (see examples in my review). So overall, if you're working on the a6600 body or something beneath it, avoid the lens if you're looking for a good AF video lens. If you have a better camera body than that, it might work just fine. Hope this helps! Craig.
@@mattduncan5500 honestly for €150 not bad. It makes noise when focusing and it's pretty slow to find focus and there's some vignetting I think. Bus still, the photos that do come out right they look great.
@@andreavgr yeah as long as it not image noise , that wouldnt bother me at all... a little noise to my ear wont hurt. i was just about to pull the trigger on the Viltrox, pretty much everyone says its not much different to the Sony. then seen this little thing on sale at the same shop. and its half the price . so put me back into the world of procrastination
This crazy good value. Pictures look no worse than with the Sony 85/1.8. Less fringing even, maybe more flaring. If I was still looking for a cheap 85 this would be it.
Just come across this lens, I’m looking for a budget friendly lens to use on my Nikon D5300 for artistic brand and product photography, I’ve been told various different lenses which has become a headache to say the least, what’s your take on a lens like this for my needs please?
Thanks for the review. One thing I’ve never seen mentioned in reviews - so it may or may not be particular to my copy of the lens - is that when shooting with Electronic First Curtain Shutter turned on, there is a gradient shadow (in horizontal orientation) in the top 1/4-1/3 of the frame, increasingly so, at speeds 1/1000 and higher. This is exacerbated by smaller apertures, as well. This does not occur with full-mechanical shutter, nor with full-electronic shutter.
A consolation: if shooting outdoors at wide apertures (and therefore faster speeds), it’s best to shoot with full-mechanical shutter, since EFCS causes “bokeh” to look choppy or distorted.
It's been a while since I've done in this review, but what you say does ring a bit of a bell.
Thanks for that. I am interested to get that for my NIKON camera.
You're welcome.
Dustin is a photography wizard !
I appreciate your reviews - even when I am on a different system 🙂
Thanks!
Glad you like them!
Happy 46 Dustin!
Thank you!
Great review, just purchased this lens, for like 179$ , still waiting for sony a7ii body to arrive.
Just tiny correction , its not USB type C but micro USB port , also mine come with updated 1.20 firmware version.
Thanks for the info!
@nik0la_ how would you say the lens is holding up
thank u for this very informative review you do.. now I decided to buy meike since im on a very tight budget. thank u Dustin
Enjoy!
Saw this Meike 85mm f1.8 review. Wondering how it stacks up against TTArtisan's new 75mm f2 in terms of image quality and portability.
The TTArtisan is a MUCH better lens. Don't even think about the Meike.
Thanks!
Lovely images, Dustin. I especially liked the relatively close flower and leaf images. You show that this is a very nice lens, regardless of price. It could be a very good choice.
Thank you. I enjoy your reviews . I like the photos you take.
Thanks all around.
Dustin could easily do Sports Commentary ... vice reminds me of betting odds and breakdowns
Great review Dustin. Can I ask you something? I have an a6600 I am doubting btwn 85mm Viltrox (360$) vs Meike (190$). Is it worth it the extra money for the viltrox? Thank you.
The Viltrox is better, for sure.
Another great lens review
Thanks! 👍
Interesting lens, I'm surprised how many options we have nowadays from 3rd party manufacturers. I wouldn't be surprised if this a copy of the 85mm USM from Canon, the way it renders, focuses and the fact that it has kind of the same shape and size (+ the space in the rear)
And the eye AF of for example my a6400 is working well enough? Thanx from germany
I haven't tested it on my a6400, but Craig will soon be releasing a review done on the a6600, which has the same focus system.
I could not get mine to work at all. I tried 2 different lenses, and 3 different mounts. I really wanted this lens but man my m50 would not respond at all even with the settings changed.
That's very strange. Only the EF-M mount would work on your M50, so I'm assuming you bought that?
I managed to snag the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 for 220 which I’m extremely happy about considering it’s around 400 new!
That's definitely good value for the viltrox.
@@DustinAbbottTWI absolutely! I had the RF version of the Viltrox and was very impressed so was glad to find it for a great price for my a7iii
I just got this lens. Yes... it is cheap, and it feels chep, but the results are amazing!
Enjoy.
Fantastic! Did you try any video? Is the AF useable in video? Thanks for the video!
I didn't do a lot of video, but Craig will be releasing a video-centric review of the lens shortly on Let the Light In TV (our sister channel).
@@DustinAbbottTWI did this video happen Dustin.
i would of really liked to know about video focus . huge factor i think
@@mattduncan5500 Hey Matt, the video will be posted tomorrow morning!
Here are my findings, I think AF in video mode totally depends on the camera body you have.
I'm working with the a6600, and for me, the meike 85mm found focus 50% of the time. At times, it would find focus, hold it for 15 seconds, then lose it. (see examples in my review).
So overall, if you're working on the a6600 body or something beneath it, avoid the lens if you're looking for a good AF video lens. If you have a better camera body than that, it might work just fine.
Hope this helps!
Craig.
@@letthelightintv thanks bro !
I just bought this lens! Excited to receive it. Also why do you have Drachmas? Are you collecting old money notes?
I collected world currency when I was young, and this gives me a chance to use it and look at it.
how is it ?
@@mattduncan5500 honestly for €150 not bad. It makes noise when focusing and it's pretty slow to find focus and there's some vignetting I think. Bus still, the photos that do come out right they look great.
@@andreavgr yeah as long as it not image noise , that wouldnt bother me at all... a little noise to my ear wont hurt.
i was just about to pull the trigger on the Viltrox, pretty much everyone says its not much different to the Sony. then seen this little thing on sale at the same shop. and its half the price .
so put me back into the world of procrastination
beautiful review, thank u
You're welcome.
Can this lens focus closer than viltrox 85mm?
I can’t recall off the top of my head, but I don’t think either excels in that area.
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
This crazy good value. Pictures look no worse than with the Sony 85/1.8. Less fringing even, maybe more flaring. If I was still looking for a cheap 85 this would be it.
Definitely a good value.
@@DustinAbbottTWI
Can you please tell me which one should I go for my canon system: Meike or Ef version.?
Thanks
sometimes I want more light and compact lens and I'm okay with smaller aperture, like Samyang's. BTW happy cake day big man
Thank you!
great review & wow at a great lens for Sony users who dont have mega bucks to spend
Agreed. It's nice that there are some decent options at reasonable prices.
Sony a7iv this lens proper work
It should work fine.
Hi can i use it compatible for my sony a7iv machine
It would work on the a7IV, yes.
@@DustinAbbottTWI teşekkürler
Asli mana om..?
Just come across this lens, I’m looking for a budget friendly lens to use on my Nikon D5300 for artistic brand and product photography, I’ve been told various different lenses which has become a headache to say the least, what’s your take on a lens like this for my needs please?
CRABS DONT HAVE EYEBROWS
Too many ads, Dustin. :(
guy has to earn a living , ads on everything these days so no big deal really
He only puts one ad in and provides timestamps so you can easily skip it.
I don't enjoy ads, either, but they are the main thing that keeps channels like mine going with otherwise free content.
I wish someone paid me for ads