Let’s explore the five best Meike lenses that can help take your photography to the next level while keeping your wallet happy.

Meike is a Chinese manufacturer that has been making waves in the photography world since 2005. They’re known for producing high-quality, affordable lenses and camera accessories that cater to both amateur and professional photographers.

Meike has built a reputation for offering budget-friendly alternatives to expensive brand-name lenses, making it possible for more people to explore different types of photography without spending a fortune.

But who exactly is Meike?

This company started as a small workshop and has grown into a global brand, focusing on innovation and quality in photography equipment.

They’ve gained popularity among photographers who want to experiment with different focal lengths and styles without investing in costly lenses.

Meike lenses are compatible with various camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm, making them accessible to a wide range of photographers.

Whether you’re just starting in photography or you’re a seasoned shooter looking for affordable lens options, Meike has something to offer.

Meike photography lenses prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to capture stunning images.

Let’s dive in and discover how these budget-friendly options can help you unleash your creativity and take your photography to new heights!

Best Overall Meike Lens for Photography: Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens

What is the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens?

The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens is a prime lens perfect for portrait photography.

It’s designed to work with full-frame cameras but can also be used on APS-C cameras for an even longer reach.

This lens is known for its ability to create beautiful, blurry backgrounds (also called bokeh) that make your subject stand out.

The 85mm focal length is ideal for capturing stunning portraits, whether you’re taking pictures of people, pets, or even small objects.

This lens is constructed with high-quality glass elements that help produce sharp, clear images with excellent contrast and color reproduction.

It features a fast f/1.8 aperture, which means it lets in a lot of light. This makes it great for shooting in low-light situations or when you want to create a shallow depth-of-field effect, separating your subject from the background.

The auto-focus feature helps you quickly and accurately focus on your subject, which is especially useful when capturing fleeting moments or working with moving subjects.

The Meike 85mm f/1.8 is designed to be a more affordable alternative to similar lenses from major camera brands.

Despite its budget-friendly price, it doesn’t compromise on image quality or build. It’s a solid, well-constructed lens that feels durable and reliable in your hands.

This lens is an excellent choice for photographers who want to explore portrait photography or add a high-quality prime lens to their kit without spending a fortune.

Features of the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens

• 85mm focal length
• f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Autofocus system
• 9 elements in 6 groups of lens construction
• 9 rounded aperture blades for smooth bokeh
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters
• Compatible with full-frame and APS-C cameras
• Available for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts

Pros of the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens

Cons of the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens

Why do I recommend the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens?

I recommend the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus Lens as the best overall Meike lens because it offers exceptional value for its price.

This lens delivers professional-level image quality and performance at a fraction of the cost of big-brand alternatives.

It’s perfect for portrait photographers who want to create stunning images with beautiful background blur. The fast f/1.8 aperture also makes it versatile for various lighting conditions.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to improve your portrait photography or a professional seeking a budget-friendly backup lens, the Meike 85mm f/1.8 can help elevate your photography without breaking the bank.

Its combination of image quality, build, and affordability make it a standout choice in Meike’s lineup.

Best Budget Meike Lens for Photography: Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens

What is the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens?

The Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens is a wide-angle prime lens designed for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors.

This lens offers a field of view equivalent to about 37.5mm on a full-frame camera, making it a versatile choice for various types of photography.

It’s particularly well-suited for street photography, landscapes, and everyday snapshots.

The 25mm focal length allows you to capture a wide scene while still maintaining a natural perspective, similar to what you see with your own eyes.

This lens features a large f/1.8 maximum aperture, which allows a lot of light to enter the camera.

This makes it great for low-light situations and helps create a nice blurry background when you want to separate your subject from the scene.

The lens is constructed with high-quality glass elements that help produce sharp, clear images with good contrast and color reproduction.

One of the key features of this lens is its manual focus design. While this means you’ll need to focus the lens yourself, it also allows for precise control over your focus point.

Many photographers enjoy the tactile experience and creative control that manual focusing provides. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, making it easy to achieve accurate focus.

The Meike 25mm f/1.8 is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for photographers who like to travel light or shoot for extended periods.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the lens feels solid and well-built, with an all-metal construction that gives it a premium feel.

Features of the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens

• 25mm focal length (37.5mm equivalent on APS-C cameras)
• Large f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Manual focus design
• 7 elements in 5 groups of lens construction
• 6 aperture blades
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.25 meters
• Compatible with APS-C mirrorless cameras
• Available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, and Micro Four Thirds mounts

Pros of the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens

Cons of the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens

Why Do I Recommend the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens?

I recommend the Meike 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus Lens as the best budget option because it offers incredible value for its price.

This lens provides a versatile focal length and a wide aperture, all in a compact, well-built package that costs less than many camera accessories.

It’s an excellent choice for beginners who want to learn about manual focusing and aperture control, or for experienced photographers looking for an affordable, high-quality wide-angle lens.

While potentially challenging for some, the manual focus design can be a great learning tool and allows for precise control over your images.

The wide f/1.8 aperture makes this lens versatile for different lighting conditions and creative effects. Despite its low price, the image quality is impressive, especially when the lens is stopped down a bit.

This lens is perfect for photographers who want to experiment with wide-angle photography without investing a lot of money.

It’s also a great option for those who appreciate the simplicity and tactile experience of manual lenses.

While it may lack some of the conveniences of more expensive lenses, the Meike 25mm f/1.8 delivers excellent performance and image quality far exceeding its price tag.

Best Runner Up Meike Lens for Photography: Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens

What is the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens?

The Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens is a versatile prime lens designed for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors.

On these cameras, the lens provides a field of view equivalent to about 52.5mm on a full-frame camera, making it close to what’s considered a “normal” focal length.

This means it closely mimics the perspective of the human eye, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of photography styles, from street photography and portraits to landscapes and everyday snapshots.

This lens combines a standard focal length with a wide f/1.7 aperture, allowing you to create images with a shallow depth of field and beautiful background blur.

The wide aperture also makes this lens excellent for low-light photography, allowing you to capture clear images in dimly lit environments without having to raise your ISO too high.

The Meike 35mm f/1.7 is constructed with high-quality glass elements that help produce sharp, clear images with good contrast and color rendition.

Like the 25mm lens, this is a manual focus lens, which means you’ll need to focus it yourself. This can be a great way to slow down your photography process and really think about your composition and focus point.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Meike photography lens feels solid and well-built, with an all-metal construction that gives it a premium feel.

It’s also quite compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around all day or pack in a small camera bag.

Features of the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens

• 35mm focal length (52.5mm equivalent on APS-C cameras)
• Wide f/1.7 maximum aperture
• Manual focus design
• 6 elements in 5 groups of lens construction
• 9 aperture blades for smooth bokeh
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.25 meters
• Compatible with APS-C mirrorless cameras
• Available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, and Micro Four Thirds mounts

Pros of the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens

Cons of the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens

Why Do I Recommend the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens?

I recommend the Meike 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Lens as the best Meike runner-up lens for photography because it offers an excellent balance of versatility, image quality, and affordability.

The 35mm focal length (52.5mm equivalent on APS-C) is incredibly versatile, making this lens suitable for a wide range of photography styles.

It’s an excellent choice for photographers who want a “do-it-all” lens that can handle everything from street photography to portraits.

The wide f/1.7 aperture allows for beautiful background blur and excellent low-light performance, giving you creative flexibility in various shooting conditions.

While the manual focus design may be challenging for some, it can also be a great learning tool and allows for precise control over your focus point.

Despite its low price, this lens delivers impressive image quality, especially when stopped down a bit.

The all-metal construction gives it a premium feel that belies its budget-friendly price point. It’s a great option for both beginners looking to learn more about photography and experienced shooters wanting an affordable, high-quality prime lens.

In short, the Meike 35mm f/1.7 offers a compelling combination of versatility, image quality, and value that makes it an excellent choice for many photographers.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to add a flexible prime lens to your kit without breaking the bank, this lens is definitely worth considering.

Best Wide-Angle Meike Lens for Photography: Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens

What is the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens?

The Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras.

This lens offers an incredibly wide field of view, making it perfect for landscape photography, architecture, interior shots, and creative wide-angle perspectives.

On APS-C cameras, it provides a field of view equivalent to about 18mm on a full-frame camera, allowing you to capture expansive scenes with ease.

The 12mm focal length is excellent for creating dramatic perspectives and emphasizing the sense of space in your images.

It’s particularly useful for photographing large buildings, sweeping landscapes, or tight interior spaces where you need to fit a lot into the frame.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture is relatively fast for an ultra-wide lens, allowing for good low-light performance and the ability to separate subjects from the background to some extent, although the wide-angle naturally provides a large depth of field.

This lens is constructed with high-quality glass elements, including aspherical elements, which help minimize distortion – a common issue with ultra-wide lenses.

The manual focus design allows for precise control over your focus point, which can be particularly useful in landscape photography, where you often want to ensure everything from the foreground to the background is in sharp focus.

Despite its ultra-wide angle, the Meike 12mm f/2.8 is surprisingly compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around all day or pack in a small camera bag.

It features an all-metal construction that gives it a premium feel and suggests good durability despite its affordable price point.

Features of the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens

• 12mm focal length (approximately 18mm equivalent on APS-C cameras)
• f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Manual focus design
• 12 elements in 9 groups of lens construction, including aspherical elements
• 7 aperture blades
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters
• Compatible with APS-C mirrorless cameras
• Available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, and Micro Four Thirds mounts

Pros of the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens

Cons of the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens

Why Do I Recommend the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens?

I recommend the Meike 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens for photographers who want to explore ultra-wide-angle photography without spending a fortune.

This lens offers a unique perspective that can add drama and impact to your images, whether you’re shooting landscapes, architecture, or interiors.

The ultra-wide 12mm focal length allows you to capture expansive scenes and create striking compositions that stand out from the crowd.

Despite its affordable price, this lens delivers impressive image quality, with good sharpness and well-controlled distortion for such a wide lens.

The f/2.8 aperture, while not as fast as some other Meike lenses, is still respectable for an ultra-wide lens and allows for decent low-light performance.

The manual focus design, while potentially challenging for some users, can be a great tool for learning and for precise control in landscape and architectural photography.

The compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for travel photography or for those who like to shoot on the go.

While it may take some practice to master, this lens can open up new creative possibilities and help you capture stunning wide-angle shots that were previously out of reach.

Whether you’re a landscape photographer looking to capture sweeping vistas or an architectural photographer needing to fit entire buildings in the frame, the Meike 12mm f/2.8 offers excellent value and performance for its price.

Best Versatile Meike Lens for Photography: Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM

What is the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM?

The Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM is a standard prime lens designed for both full-frame and APS-C cameras.

This lens offers a classic “normal” focal length on full-frame cameras, which closely mimics the perspective of the human eye.

On APS-C cameras, it provides a short telephoto perspective, making it an excellent choice for portraits.

The 50mm focal length is incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of photography styles, including street photography, portraits, landscapes, and everyday snapshots.

What sets this lens apart is its combination of a fast f/1.8 aperture and autofocus capabilities at an affordable price point.

The wide f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth of field, letting you blur the background and make your subject stand out.

This is particularly useful for portrait photography or when you want to isolate a subject from its surroundings.

The autofocus system uses a Stepping Motor (STM) technology, which provides quick and quiet focusing.

This is especially beneficial for video work, where smooth and silent focusing is crucial. The STM also allows for precise control during still photography, ensuring your subjects are sharp and in focus.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Meike 50mm F1.8 is constructed with high-quality glass elements designed to produce sharp, clear images with good contrast and color rendition.

It’s also relatively compact and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for photographers who like to travel light or shoot for extended periods.

Features of the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM

• 50mm focal length
• F1.8 maximum aperture
• Autofocus with STM (Stepping Motor)
• 6 elements in 5 groups of lens construction
• 7 aperture blades for smooth bokeh
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters
• Compatible with full-frame and APS-C cameras
• Available for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts

Pros of the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM

Cons of the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM

Why Do I Recommend the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM?

I recommend the Meike 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM for photographers who want a versatile, high-quality lens that doesn’t break the bank.

This lens offers an excellent balance of performance, quality, and affordability that makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced photographers.

The 50mm focal length is incredibly versatile, making this lens a great choice for a wide range of photography styles.

Whether you’re shooting portraits, street scenes, or general everyday photos, this lens can handle it all. The fast f/1.8 aperture allows for beautiful background blur and excellent low-light performance, giving you creative flexibility in various shooting conditions.

What makes this lens particularly appealing is its auto-focus capability with STM technology. This feature is not always found in budget-friendly lenses and can make a significant difference in ease of use, especially for beginners or when shooting fast-moving subjects.

The quiet operation of the STM is also a bonus for video shooters.

The image quality is impressive for a lens in this price range, delivering sharp results, especially when stopped down a bit.

While it may not match the absolute top-tier performance of much more expensive lenses, it comes remarkably close for a fraction of the price.

This lens is perfect for photographers who are just starting to explore prime lenses, or for more experienced shooters looking for an affordable, lightweight 50mm option.

It’s also an excellent choice for those wanting to experiment with shallow depth-of-field effects without investing in more expensive gear.

Frequently Asked Questions Around The Best Meike Lenses for Photography

Are Meike lenses compatible with my camera?

Meike makes lenses for several popular camera mounts, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm. Check the lens specifications to ensure compatibility with your camera.

How do Meike lenses compare to brand-name lenses?

Meike lenses often offer similar image quality to brand-name lenses at a lower price point. While they may lack some premium features, they generally provide excellent value for money.

Why are most Meike lenses manual focus?

Manual focus lenses are simpler to manufacture, allowing Meike to offer high-quality optics at lower prices. Many photographers also prefer manual focus for certain types of photography, like macro or landscape.

Are Meike lenses good for professional use?

While Meike lenses are often marketed towards enthusiasts, many professionals use them as well, especially as backup lenses or for specific shooting situations where their unique characteristics are beneficial.

How is the build quality of Meike lenses?

Meike lenses generally have good build quality, with metal mounts and solid construction. However, they typically lack the weather sealing found in some higher-end lenses.

Final Thoughts About The Best Meike Lenses for Photography

Meike has made a significant impact in the photography world by offering high-quality lenses at affordable prices.

The five lenses we’ve discussed – the 85mm f/1.8 Auto Focus, 25mm f/1.8 Manual Focus, 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus, 12mm f/2.8 Manual Focus, and 50mm F1.8 Auto Focus STM – represent some of the best options in Meike’s lineup.

Each lens has its strengths and is suited to different types of photography, from portraits and street photography to landscapes and macro shots.

What sets Meike lenses apart is their ability to deliver impressive image quality and unique capabilities at budget-friendly prices.

While they may lack some of the advanced features of more expensive lenses, like weather sealing or advanced autofocus systems, they excel in the most important aspect: image quality.

For beginners, Meike lenses offer an affordable way to experiment with different focal lengths and types of photography.

For more experienced photographers, they provide budget-friendly alternatives or backups to more expensive lenses.

The manual focus design of many Meike lenses can also be a great tool for learning and for achieving precise focus in certain types of photography.

When choosing a lens, consider your specific needs, the type of photography you enjoy, and your budget.

Remember, the best lens is the one that helps you capture the images you want to create.

Meike lenses offer an excellent balance of quality and affordability, making them a great choice for many photographers.

Meike lenses for photography prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to capture stunning images. Whether you’re just starting out in photography or you’re a seasoned shooter looking for affordable lens options, Meike has something to offer.

These lenses can help you expand your creative possibilities and take your photography to new heights without breaking the bank.

Happy shooting!