Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF Brings $230 ‘Nifty 50’ Lens to APS-C Cameras
Meike has released a new 33mm f/1.4 autofocus-equipped prime lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras.
The Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF lens delivers a 50mm-equivalent focal length on Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, and Sony E-mount cameras. It is quite compact and lightweight, measuring about 83 millimeters (3.3 inches) long and weighing a reasonably light 314 grams (11 ounces).
To put that size and weight into context, the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens ($799) is a bit shorter at 73.5 millimeters (2.9 inches) and weighs 360 grams (12.7 ounces). While the Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF has a 55mm filter thread, Fujifilm’s fast prime accepts 58mm front filters.
The Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF has a dozen lens elements arranged across nine groups, a manually controlled aperture (ranging from f/1.4 to f/16), and a minimum focusing distance of 0.4 meters (15.7 inches). Meike says that two extra-low dispersion elements inside the lens significantly reduce chromatic aberrations.
Meike promises no focus breathing, meaning the lens’ field of view doesn’t change during focusing, an important consideration for video users. The company also claims that its new 33mm f/1.4 lens delivers high sharpness across the frame and is well-suited to portraiture and landscape scenarios.
Perhaps the most appealing feature of Meike’s new 33mm f/1.4 APS-C AF lens is its price. The lens is available to order now for $229.99 in E, X, and Z mounts. The X and Z-mount versions are shipping now, while the E-mount version will arrive a little later, with shipping expected to start on August 15. The Meike 33mm f/1.4 can be purchased from B&H, AVShutter, and directly from Meike’s website.
Although the Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF lens is significantly more affordable than the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens, undercutting its price by $570, the Meike lens also competes against some other third-party 33mm f/1.4 APS-C lenses. One such lens is the Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 lens, which is available for X, Z, E, and EF-M mounts for $279. There is also the Tokina ATX-M 33mm f/1.4 X lens, which is available in E-mount for $189, down from $399. It also comes in an X version for $249.
Image credits: Meike
