I really like this lens. I had the 1.4 sigma too but thats so spenny, so i switched to the Lumix 1.8 because it's tiny and lovely. But oooooh... for the price?? It's so nice to have the 1.4 option again with this Meike!
Josh, you have to do the firmware update on the Meike. It will fix any AF issues. I bought all of the 1.8 L Mount Meike's and I really love them. I got the 1.8 35mm, 50mm, & 85mm all for $550 US.
I think the Lumix 85 1.8 is honestly a better lens for the money. The 1.4 won't be that much better in low light and overall you'll get a better lens optically without any on the quirks
Hey, a bit unrelated but in case you see this a video to pick the best standard zoom for L mount would be incredible, now that there's so many options. I'm thinking specifically about the Sigma 28-105 f2.8, the Samyang 35-159 f2-2.8, the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 ii, the Lumix 24-70 and even the Leica 24-70. But there's also the Sigma 28-70 and the Lumix 24-105. A head to head between all (or some of them, esp. the longer Samyang and Sigma lenses), comparing for both photo & video would be really nice! Love your videos and as someone new to Lumix something like this would really help! Thanks :)
Hi, I own this lens since 2 months now and I absolutely don‘t regret having bought it. On my S5iix the lens fn button works fine by the way. Maybe you have an older firmware running. My copy is already pretty sharp wide open and it renders beautifully. It isn‘t a sports lens for sure, but also the Sigma isn‘t. C-AF with face/eye recognition works fine as well.
The sigma is built to last. Art Series lenses are phenomenal in every sense of the word :) I think the Meike is durable and definitely doesn't feel super cheap, but I'd put my money on the Sigma glass outlasting it by a longshot
Does the distance between the grip and the lens feel comfortable? because I tried it on the Sony A7iv, my finger got a bit stuck between the grip and the lens
TBH I'd just pick up the Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 there isn't an awful lot of difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 imo unless you're always shooting in very low light situations, you can pick one up used over at WEX photo for £369 in excellent condition, I'm actually considering buying one for portraits on my S5iix, thanks for the review though
Ok Josh... Please make my life so much easier and tell me which lens should I buy? Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 or Meike 85mm f/1.4?? The Lumix is $80 more. I currently have the Meike in my cart, but something keeps telling me that the Lumix is probably the smarter purchase. I already own the Lumix S 50mm f1.8, and I just wish I had that extra oomph when it comes to bokeh. Since you have both of these lenses and have used them extensively, help a brotha out!!!
Personally, I'd get the Lumix 85mm. It's smaller, lighter, and ultimately sharper too. F1.4 is a nice to have, but the issue sometimes with these "cheaper' lenses is that you begin to get a very soft image when you stop it the whole way down. To be fair to this Meike, it does a good job even at F1.4, but I would say that the Lumix would be a more reliable choice :) Hope this helps!
I have grabbed one lens for my A7IV, so far so good, love shooting with it.
I really like this lens. I had the 1.4 sigma too but thats so spenny, so i switched to the Lumix 1.8 because it's tiny and lovely. But oooooh... for the price?? It's so nice to have the 1.4 option again with this Meike!
You can't beat the quality for the price! Although I'm always a sucker for the lighter option, so Lumix 85mm is the one I actually use mostly!
Hey! Other than it being faster, is there really any other reason to get the Meike over the Lumix?
Can you review the Meike 35mm f2?
Just got that one I really like it but you have to update the firmware from the jump.
@@BassDad-TV I can't find firmware for this.
@@GroundedTech not sure it will let me post a link but I will try
@@GroundedTech I tried to message you on da gram but that says you aren’t accepting message requests 🤷🏽♂️
Keep doing your honest reviews great job mate🙏
Thank you mate!
Josh, you have to do the firmware update on the Meike. It will fix any AF issues. I bought all of the 1.8 L Mount Meike's and I really love them. I got the 1.8 35mm, 50mm, & 85mm all for $550 US.
85mm old version?
I think the Lumix 85 1.8 is honestly a better lens for the money. The 1.4 won't be that much better in low light and overall you'll get a better lens optically without any on the quirks
Man of Culture, I see :) Blackwater Arboretum :) Great spot for photos with Giant Redwood trees.
Haha! I love the new forest, it's a wonderful part of the UK. I live around 2.5 hours away so I try to visit as often as I can :)
Hey, a bit unrelated but in case you see this a video to pick the best standard zoom for L mount would be incredible, now that there's so many options. I'm thinking specifically about the Sigma 28-105 f2.8, the Samyang 35-159 f2-2.8, the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 ii, the Lumix 24-70 and even the Leica 24-70. But there's also the Sigma 28-70 and the Lumix 24-105. A head to head between all (or some of them, esp. the longer Samyang and Sigma lenses), comparing for both photo & video would be really nice! Love your videos and as someone new to Lumix something like this would really help! Thanks :)
Hi, I own this lens since 2 months now and I absolutely don‘t regret having bought it. On my S5iix the lens fn button works fine by the way. Maybe you have an older firmware running. My copy is already pretty sharp wide open and it renders beautifully. It isn‘t a sports lens for sure, but also the Sigma isn‘t. C-AF with face/eye recognition works fine as well.
Would’ve been nice to see a comparison of f1.4 and 1.8 when shooting portraits in different distances
Apologies, that would have been good to show!
we have a full set of Meike full frame cine lenses, they are awesome! they easily match the Sigma or Canon cine lenses
Ah I've always want to try those! They look really good !
Please review the 55mm 1.8 Pro!
Would the Sigma last longer? Is it more robust?
The sigma is built to last. Art Series lenses are phenomenal in every sense of the word :) I think the Meike is durable and definitely doesn't feel super cheap, but I'd put my money on the Sigma glass outlasting it by a longshot
Does the distance between the grip and the lens feel comfortable?
because I tried it on the Sony A7iv, my finger got a bit stuck between the grip and the lens
TBH I'd just pick up the Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 there isn't an awful lot of difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 imo unless you're always shooting in very low light situations, you can pick one up used over at WEX photo for £369 in excellent condition, I'm actually considering buying one for portraits on my S5iix, thanks for the review though
I would have made the same call. I love the S 1.8 Primes :)
Ok Josh... Please make my life so much easier and tell me which lens should I buy? Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 or Meike 85mm f/1.4?? The Lumix is $80 more. I currently have the Meike in my cart, but something keeps telling me that the Lumix is probably the smarter purchase. I already own the Lumix S 50mm f1.8, and I just wish I had that extra oomph when it comes to bokeh.
Since you have both of these lenses and have used them extensively, help a brotha out!!!
Personally, I'd get the Lumix 85mm. It's smaller, lighter, and ultimately sharper too. F1.4 is a nice to have, but the issue sometimes with these "cheaper' lenses is that you begin to get a very soft image when you stop it the whole way down. To be fair to this Meike, it does a good job even at F1.4, but I would say that the Lumix would be a more reliable choice :)
Hope this helps!
I prefer the Panasonic 85mm f1.8 because of the faster autofocus
Yeah that alone justifies the slight price increase to just go Lumix
Meike just release their 85mm f1.8 pro for 300, can u review it
Why does this have to be weighty. And for a plastic build. Sigma equivalent was released 4 years ago and it's still at least 100g less.
perhaps meike's main focus are to produce lens f1.4 and budget. To sacrifice some weight, it might cost more money even using plastic build.