The Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro AF lens arrives at a price that stands out in a market where fast full frame primes often come at a steep cost. At $379, it promises sharp results, autofocus, and a bright aperture without demanding a large investment. That means a chance to get a versatile lens that can handle everyday shooting without draining your budget.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video takes you through the strengths and weaknesses of the Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro AF lens. Frost highlights how it balances affordability with features you would usually expect on more expensive lenses, like a weather-sealing gasket, a USB-C port for firmware updates, and a well-designed aperture ring. While its build relies heavily on plastic, it still feels solid and functional. The autofocus is silent and accurate, with no focus breathing, something you will appreciate if you shoot video. Image quality wide open at f/1.8 is sharp in the center, though corners show softness until you stop down to f/4 or beyond.
The video also emphasizes the lens’s compromises, which you should consider before buying. Strong vignetting at wide apertures and some distortion mean you’ll need to correct your raw files in post. Flare resistance is weaker than average, so direct bright light sources can cause issues. On the other hand, coma is well controlled, making it a good budget option for nightscapes. The bokeh is smooth overall, with only minor highlighting around specular points that most people won’t notice. These details matter if you often shoot in challenging light or care about clean background blur.
Key Specs
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Focal Length: 35mm
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Aperture: Maximum f/1.8, Minimum f/16
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Lens Mount: Nikon Z, Sony E
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Lens Format Coverage: Full frame
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Minimum Focus Distance: 13.8" / 35 cm
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Magnification: 0.13x (1:7.7)
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Optical Design: 12 elements in 10 groups
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Aperture Blades: 9
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Focus Type: Autofocus
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Image Stabilization: No
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Filter Size: 58mm
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Dimensions: ø 2.9 x L 3.7" / ø 74 x L 93 mm
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Weight: 0.9 lb / 404 g
Beyond technical performance, Frost shows how the Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro AF compares to pricier professional primes. It won’t match them in corner sharpness or build refinement, but it delivers more than expected for its cost. If you’re using a 24-megapixel body rather than a high-resolution one, you’ll likely be happy with the results even wide open. That mix of accessibility and capability makes this lens appealing if you want a fast prime without overspending. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
