Meike Cine

Technical Details

The Meike Cine lenses feature a 270° focus ring rotation with a 0.8mm pitch gear and a uniform 95mm front diameter for matte box compatibility. The optical design is based on 13-16 lens elements depending on focal length, with nano-coating for flare reduction. The minimum focus distance ranges from 30-60cm depending on focal length, with a minimum object distance (MOD) of 1:10 to 1:4. All lenses weigh between 1.1kg and 1.8kg and are available in PL mount, Canon EF, and Sony E-mount.

History & Development

In 2019, Schneider-Kreuznach launched the first three focal lengths (25mm, 35mm, 50mm), developed in cooperation with the Chinese manufacturer Meike. In 2021, the range was expanded with 18mm and 85mm, and in 2023, the 100mm was added. The development aimed at cost-effective cinema lenses for the growing streaming and independent market, without compromising the optical quality of traditional German cinematography optics.

Practical Use in Film

DoP Rachel Morrison used the Meike Cine series for second unit shots on "The Power of the Dog" (2021), particularly the 35mm and 85mm for landscape shots in Montana. The uniform T1.5 aperture allows for consistent exposure when changing focal lengths without ND filter adjustments. The smooth focus fall-off and the 14-blade bokeh are particularly suitable for portraits and available light situations. Typical workflow: used as a B-camera set on larger productions or as primary optics on budget-conscious projects.

Comparison & Alternatives

Compared to Zeiss CP.3 (T2.1), Meike Cine offers one stop more light intensity at 60% of the price, but with less consistent color matching between focal lengths. Sigma Cine lenses achieve similar optical performance but are 40% heavier. ARRI Signature Primes significantly surpass them in resolution and micro-contrast but cost four times as much. For Netflix-compliant productions with a limited budget, they represent a practical alternative to Cooke S4/i.