Budget-friendly full-frame prime lenses with cine-style features — a cost-effective alternative to high-end branded glass for indie productions.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 16 | 25 | 35 | 50 | 75 | 85 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 |
| 0.25m | 0.28m | 0.35m | 0.45m | 0.60m | 0.80m |
| 0.54kg | 0.42kg | 0.48kg | 0.52kg | 0.62kg | 0.68kg |
| 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| 92° | 64° | 48° | 35° | 23° | 20° |
| ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ |
E/EF/PL · 67mm Front · 270° Focus Throw · T2.2 · Full Frame
History & Development
Meike Optics introduced the FF Prime series in 2019 as a budget-friendly alternative to established cinema lenses. The company, founded in 2007 in Shenzhen, initially focused on photography accessories before expanding into the cinema market in 2017. The FF Prime line was extended with the 16mm and 85mm focal lengths in 2020, followed by a revised version in 2021 with improved coatings and reduced focus breathing.
Practical Use in Film
The Meike FF Prime lenses are suitable for low-budget productions and documentaries where the weight-to-performance ratio is crucial. Cinematographers appreciate the consistent dimensions for quick lens changes without rebalancing on a gimbal. The de-clickable aperture allows for stepless exposure adjustments during shooting. Typical applications for the series include indie productions, corporate videos, and as A-camera optics for established productions with higher-end main lenses.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to lenses like Zeiss CP.3 or Canon CN-E, the Meike FF Primes offer significantly lower acquisition costs with acceptable optical performance. The build quality does not reach the level of ARRI Signature Primes but surpasses many still photography lenses in terms of cine suitability. Direct competitors include the Samyang XEEN series and 7artisans Vision lenses. Meike positions itself price-wise between pure photography lenses and professional cinema lenses, occupying a niche for ambitious filmmakers with limited budgets.