Introduction
Even though third-party lens choices are plentiful for some brands, the availability of such for Nikon Z mount has been a slow-growing collection, with brands leading the charge consisting of *Sigma, Tamron, Viltrox, TTArtisan, and, of course, Meike, which we will discuss today.
The packaging is one that is designed to be functional and free of frills.
*note: some third-party lenses are limited to only the APSC Z-mount.
After being introduced to Meike by a friend, I decided to check out the lens and bought the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 for Z mount, so here we go.
tl:dr
At USD159, the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 for Nikon Z Mount makes an attractive auto-focus option for photographers looking for a budget-friendly prime lens or beginners stepping into Z-mount.
Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z on Nikon Zf
While not being able to match the more expensive alternatives in terms of build (for example, providing weather resistance) and clinical performance, the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 for Z mount provides a classic focal length with a large aperture and most importantly, reasonably good autofocus and image output performance for a fraction of the price.
Let us take a deeper look at the build quality, design, and, of course, performance.
For brevity's sake, I will refer to the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 for Nikon Z Mount as "Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z" from this point onwards.
Impressions.
Honestly, what stood out to me first was the sheer wallet-friendly price of the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z.
At USD159, a lens with the classic focal length of 50mm, a ƒ1.8 maximum aperture and autofocusing capabilties is sure to elicit some curiousity.
As with most third-party makers, one big question we always consider is whether the lens makes a good option with its performance versus price comparisons, and of course, how is it matched against the native Nikon 50mm ƒ1.8S (around USD629 from Nikon US store) which is in my opinon, a lens so good that it set a benchmark for native Z mount lenses.
Build Quality and Design
The Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z overall has a decent build, featuring a metal mount and a predominantly plastic construction that feels sturdy and lightweight. Meike also includes a plastic hood and the lens comes with a 58mm filter size diameter.
It weighs approximately 382 grams, making it lightweight enough to carry around for extended shooting sessions. The lens has a simple, minimalist design, a smooth focus ring, and a decent grip. While it doesn't have the premium or much more robust feel of some higher-end lenses, it's well-constructed for its price range.
Quite expected of a lens in this price segment, the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z is not weather-sealed but then, I don't quite often see people photographing in the rain nowadays (ok, just being salty there).
Optics and Image Quality
One of the more attractive features of this lens is its wide ƒ1.8 aperture, which should be more than sufficient for most users coming to low light situations or to create images with a shallow depth of field.
With a 11 elements in 7 groups optical design, double-sided multilayer coating, 1 ED lens, 1 high refraction lens to aid in minimising abberrations, ghosting and flare, the optical design of the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z also comes with a minimum focusing distance of 0.63m.
source: Meike site
For the interested ones, there are a total of 9 aperture blades in the lens design, the same number as the native Nikkor 50mm ƒ1.8 S.
In terms of sharpness, the lens performs well in the center at wider apertures, providing crisp and clear images. However, it does exhibit some softness at the edges, especially when shot wide open. Stopping down to around ƒ4 improves edge sharpness significantly, making it a versatile lens for various shooting scenarios.
Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z on Nikon Zf
The 'bokeh' produced by the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z is smooth and pleasing, making it ideal for portrait photography.
Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z on Nikon Zf
Autofocus Performance
One of the key attractions of the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z is that it offers auto-focus, with a physical switch on the lens for the user to toggle between auto-focus and manual focus.
Subject detection and eye detection were quick to activate when in use, with the lens seldom hunting, and even if so, autofocusing on the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z is generally quiet.
For manual focus uses, the ergonomically sized focus ring is smooth and well-damped to use for precise adjustments.
Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z on Nikon Zf
Aberrations and Distortions
Chromatic aberrations are present but manageable in post-processing, especially when shooting at wider apertures. Obviously, they can be minimized by stopping down.
The lens also exhibits a moderate amount of vignetting at ƒ1.8, but this decreases as you stop down. Distortion is minimal and not a significant issue with the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z.
Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z on Nikon Zf
Value and Comparisons
Compared to Nikon's 50mm ƒ1.8S lens, the Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z holds its ground surprisingly well taking the 300% price difference in comparison (USD159 versus USD629).
While the Nikon lens offers superior autofocus capabilities and better overall image quality in a much more robust build, the Meike lens provides a compelling alternative for those on a tighter budget.
Conclusion
The Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z is a great option for photographers looking for an affordable prime lens that delivers a good performance price ratio. In fact, I am quite keen to try their 85mm ƒ1.8 Z next.
While it has minor drawbacks, such as edge softness wide open and chromatic aberrations, these are relatively minor considering the lens's price point, with some of these easily fixed in post processing, nor fogetting to mention that the combination of auto-focus capabilities at a versatile focal length alone makes the lens attractive enough to consider adding to one's Z-mount kit.
Thank you for reading.
Disclaimers:
- All product photos and samples here were photographed by me. I believe any reviewer with pride should produce their own product photos.
2. All images were shot with the Nikon Zf and Meike 50mm ƒ1.8 Z, both my personal sets.
3. This review is not sponsored.
4. I write as a passion and a hobby, and I appreciate that photography brands are kind enough to respect and work with me.
5. The best way to support me is to share the review, or you can always help support me by contributing to my fees to WordPress for the domain using the Paypal button at the bottom of the page.
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