- Location
- Central Ohio, USA
- Name
- Andrew
For the price, I could not pass up this lens. I have yet to really run it through any paces of real consequence, so for now, I'll just put down some initial observations.
initial impressions are positive and for the sale price of $109 - even if it doesn't last - I will not be out much. I think the MSRP is $199 USD, but a lot of places have sales or deals and I see it going for new around $159.
- Size
- Close to the same length as the Fuji 50mm f/2, but it is not tapered
- the diameter is larger than the 50/2 as well - to be expected for an f/1.4 aperture
- Weight
- when I got the X-A3, I also got the Viltrox 33/1.4 - while a decent lens in its own right - the all metal construction makes the handling on the X-A3 a little awkward and front heavy. The Meike does not suffer from that same issue - it balances well.
- Aperture
- Wonderful to have the f/1.4!
- the aperture ring
- so satisfyingly clicky
- Some issues I've had in the past with some of the Fuji aperture rings is that they were not stiff enough (especially the ones that were not constant aperture) - not an issue here
- the ring is well textured, easy to find and won't slip when turning
- 1/3 click stops, full apertures are marked on the ring
- Build
- metal mount, but plastic for the rest of the body.
- I also have the Meike 85/1.8 for Nikon Z and it too is built with metal mount and plastic body
- the 55/1.4 is made from better plastics than the 85/1.8
- it is a matte finished plastic, so no concerns regarding finger prints on it.
- supplied hood reverses onto the lens when no in use and firmly clicks into place so you need not worry that it will fall off accidentally
- focus ring feels well dampened
- Auto Focus
- In low light, even at f/1.4, it is a bit slow to focus, but it did appear accurate from my limited "in office" test shots
- Even given its slow nature, the lens appeared to be very accurate with single point and zone focusing grid on the X-A3 (yes, I know - not the best testing camera)
- Image quality
- Not going to lie - the Meike lenses always seem to surprise me for some reason
- Even at f/1.4 this lens is sharp. The optics seem to be just fine. is it the best or even close to the Fuji 50/2 or the 56/1.2? Not in pixel peeping land and those other lenses would be better for the high MP Fuji cameras...but for the 26mp and lower res chips - it is great.
- Much like the 85/1.8 - this 55/1.4 lacks fine detail and micro contrast, but that also provides for some unique character in the images - something less clinical and potentially more "alive".
initial impressions are positive and for the sale price of $109 - even if it doesn't last - I will not be out much. I think the MSRP is $199 USD, but a lot of places have sales or deals and I see it going for new around $159.
