The 55mm f/1.8 lens sits in a candy spot for photographers who need the flexibility of an ordinary focal size with out the majority and price of quicker f/1.4 choices. Price range-conscious shooters have historically had to decide on between low-cost however mediocre optics or costly premium glass, leaving a niche available in the market for inexpensive lenses that ship genuinely good efficiency. Nonetheless, this lens bucks that pattern.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video places the Meike 55mm f/1.8 Professional AF lens by complete testing to see if it could bridge that hole. Priced at $329, this lens positions itself barely above the most cost effective 50mm choices whereas promising significantly better optical efficiency by its advanced 11-element design. Frost checks the lens on a demanding 61-megapixel Sony a7CR to push its limits and see the way it holds up underneath scrutiny. The evaluate covers the whole lot from construct high quality and autofocus efficiency to detailed picture high quality evaluation throughout completely different apertures.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 55mm
Aperture: Most f/1.8, Minimal f/16
Lens Mount: Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X
Format Protection: Full body
Minimal Focus Distance: 1.8′ / 55 cm
Optical Design: 11 Parts in 8 Teams
Aperture Blades: 9
Focus Kind: Autofocus
Picture Stabilization: No
Filter Dimension: 58 mm (Entrance)
Weight: 12.8 oz / 364 g
The lens building brings some nice surprises for its value level, together with weather-sealing with an attention grabbing orange gasket and a USB-C port for firmware updates. The optical testing reveals some anticipated weaknesses at vast apertures but in addition exhibits the place the lens punches above its weight class. The evaluate additionally covers some particular eventualities the place this lens is likely to be notably effectively suited in comparison with costlier alternate options.
What’s notably worthwhile about this evaluate is how Frost places the lens efficiency in context. He acknowledges that whereas the decision efficiency might sound simply “okay” on a 61-megapixel digital camera, anybody utilizing a decrease decision sensor will probably be a lot happier with the outcomes. The video additionally explores how the lens performs for particular forms of images and videography, supplying you with sensible insights about when this lens is likely to be the best selection to your wants. Take a look at the video above for the complete rundown from Frost.
