Meike’s 35mm f/1.8 Prime Lens Is Here

credits: Meike

After months of rumours and leaks, Meike has officially released its 35mm f/1.8 Pro Full Frame Auto Focus STM Lens. First teased back in May at the China P&E expo, the lens generated a lot of buzz for its blend of pro-level features and a reasonable price tag. Now that it’s here, the $379 lens is available for Nikon Z and L-mount users, with the Sony E-mount version expected to ship starting August 16.

The lens features a 35mm focal length with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a minimum focusing distance of 0.35 meters (13.8 inches). Meike has equipped the lens with an STM autofocus motor for quiet and responsive operation, which should be particularly useful for video applications. The lens construction includes nine elements in seven groups and early sample shots suggest solid sharpness and contrast in the centre of the frame. The bokeh rendering at f/1.8 appears smooth, although likely not on par with more expensive options that use more complex optical designs.

Physically, the lens weighs around 400 grams (14 oz) and includes a metal mount, 55mm filter thread, and what looks like a fairly straightforward manual focus ring. There’s no weather sealing or optical stabilisation, which isn’t unusual at this price point.

You can see full details on Meike’s website here