| sent on May 29, 2023
Pros: Lightness, price, optical performance, complexion yield
Cons: nothing for what it costs
Opinion: I bought out of curiosity this lens, in the most recent and lightweight version, with Canon R mount. This is an economic lens (just over 200 euros) and light (358 gr without hood, 385 with), diameter of 67. The object is beautiful and, although not as consistent as a 700 gram zeiss, it still looks solid and returns a good feeling. I arrived today and I immediately made an empirical and quick comparison on Canon R (sensor 30.3 mp), at ISO 200, with Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 usm, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is usm II, Canon RF 24-105mm F4L is usm and compared to Nikon with Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 ex apo hsm, Zeiss ze/zf.2 Makro-Planar 100mm f/2, Nikkor 85 f/1.8 af/g, Nikkor 105 f/2.5 k mounted on Nikon D780 (24.5 mp sensor). I shot scenes with strong contrast and portraits in backlight. I considered sharpness, color rendering, high light holding, shadow opening, to all apertures. My test is merely indicative, insufficient compared to the variety of real situations (for example in terms of autofocus performance in the most varied light situations, robustness, etc.), I also did not have the opportunity to compare the Meike in question with the new Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, which is its most direct competitor. The comparison with Nikon would require a complex analysis, given the lower density of the sensor of the D780 and the need to carefully configure both machines with parameters as corresponding as possible, which I did not have time to do: I limit myself to observing that, in general, on Nikon the shadows are more readable, but I can not express other judgments (for example the blur of the Nikon 85 1.8, the best portrait lens I have ever used is pictorial, while I have not yet evaluated the bokeh of the Meike). However, from these first tests the Meike was a great revelation. It is extremely sharp (even superior to the Canon 24-105), excels in color saturation and general color rendering and complexion in particular, while maintaining a natural appearance (with the Canon R's sensor the result is remarkable). The autofocus did not give me problems, while the Canon EF, with the adapter did. Narrowing the comparison between this Meike and the Canon 85 EF, from what I have seen so far, the Meike wins across the board: weight (the Canon EF with the adapter weighs 535 grams, and the new RF does not weigh much less), price and, from what I have seen, optical yield. Sobriety and portability are essential factors in street, travel and small outings, because they allow you to immerse yourself in the scene and photograph with ease. I can even bear the opprobrium of the electronic viewfinder of mirrorless in view of their portability (heavy lenses on mirrorless are a contradiction) and today you can move very light without sacrificing the quality and brightness of the optics; in this perspective, this Meike, combined with the Canon R 50 f/1.8 (160 gr) and the Canon R 16 f/2.8 (165 gr), on the Canon R or on more recent cameras such as the Canon R8 (of only 461 gr), form an attractive kit. Nikon Z also has some very light fixed lenses, which can be combined with this medium telephoto lens, such as the 26 f / 2.8 (125 gr) or the featherweight 28 f / 2.8 (115 gr) and the 40 f / 2 (170 gr). If weight is not a problem, the initial savings alone are not worth in themselves to compensate for the greater value preserved over time by the original optics, but we are talking about figures (200 euros) that do not ruin anyone. On SLR instead I would not go to question the nikkor 85 1.8 on the handy D780, but I would also struggle to remove the 85 ef Canon from the good old and light 6D. However, this lens is definitely worth trying. I reserve the right to update this initial assessment after a congruous use in the field. |
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