Meike has added a fast prime to its MIX series for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The Meike 58mm f/1.2 MIX Auto Focus Large Aperture lens comes in Nikon Z, Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts.
Design
The 58mm MIX is fairly compact at about 3.5 inches (90 mm) long and 3 inches (76 mm) wide. It weighs 15.9 oz (450 g) in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts and just over 16 oz (455 g) in Nikon Z. Nikon and Fujifilm owners can pick black or silver. The Sony E version comes in black, white or a black and white mix. The filter size is 62 mm.
Optical construction
Inside are 14 elements in 10 groups. Meike hasn’t said which types of glass it uses. The company does say the APO-level (apochromatic) optical design suppresses chromatic aberration and purple fringing. It also claims the lens resolves up to 60 megapixels.
Autofocus
A high-speed hyper STM motor drives the autofocus. Meike promises fast, precise and quiet focusing, plus eye and face detection. The company says the lens locks onto moving subjects quickly and tracks them, which suits video work. Close focus is a touch over 2 feet (0.62 m). A physical switch toggles between auto and manual focus.
Fast maximum aperture
The maximum aperture is a very fast f/1.2. That means strong low-light performance and a very shallow depth of field. Eleven iris blades should give smooth bokeh in out-of-focus areas, though Meike’s sample photos show oval bokeh rather than circular. A manual iris ring has a physical switch that turns off the f-stop clicks. Video shooters can adjust exposure smoothly mid-shot.
Other features
Contacts support EXIF data transmission. A USB-C port handles firmware updates, so you don’t need a separate dock. A custom Fn button also takes shortcuts for a faster shooting workflow.
What we think
On an APS-C camera, the 58mm gives a field of view equivalent to about 87 mm on full frame. That’s a short telephoto length that works well for portraits and interviews. The short close focus distance should deliver great close-ups too, and the f/1.2 aperture means a shallow depth of field and strong low-light performance. For video shooters, the clickless iris ring and quiet STM autofocus are the big draws for run-and-gun interviews and talking-head shots. It’s also competitively priced against rival lenses. If you want a fast, short telephoto for your APS-C camera, add it to your shortlist.
Pricing and availability
The Meike 58mm f/1.2 MIX APS-C Auto Focus Large Aperture prime is available now from Meike’s online store for $449. It comes in Nikon Z, Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts.
