Review Meike 2.8 / 28 Multi Coated

Navigation

1. In short
2. Main Specifications
3. Assembly
4. Focusing
5. Image quality
6. Sample Photos
7. My experience
8. Video review
9. Price
10. Results
11. User Comments
12. Add your review or question on the lens

Please note that the Meike 2.8 / 28 Multi Coated is available in different mounts. This review shows the Meike 2.8 / 28 Multi Coated version for mirrorless cameras Sony E with APS-C sensor (for cropped mirrorless cameras). At the same time, Meike 2.8 / 28 Multi Coated is also available with mounts Fujifilm x, Canon EF-M и Micro 4 / 3 (maybe Nikon 1, exact data not available)

In this review, I will abbreviate the Meike 2.8 / 28 Multi Coated lens as 'Meike 28/2.8′.

In short

The Meike 28/2.8 is a modern manual fast prime lens for cropped mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor or smaller. Due to its small size Meike 28/2.8 can be considered 'pancake lens'.

Interesting low price, compact size, light weight, all-metal body, 9 aperture blades and convenient focal length. On cameras with an APS-C sensor, this is a moderate wide-angle lens that can serve as a standard prime lens for everyday shooting.

All in all, this is a pretty decent lens, even when used on cameras with high pixel density. Of the obvious shortcomings, one can single out mediocre work with bright light sources in the frame, as well as strong vignetting at f / 2.8.

Be sure to check out the sections:

• All Meike Lenses
• All genuine Sony E APS-C lenses and cameras

Main Specifications Meike 1.8 / 25 Multi Coated

Review Instance Name	Near front lens: 'Meike 2.8/28 Multi Coated Ø49mm' E-Mount Side + Serial Number
Basic properties	The lens uses a Sony E mount and is suitable for Sony mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor Manual focus only Multi Coated - multicoated optics Metal mount, metal body
Front Filter Diameter	49 mm
Focal length	28 mm EGF for Sony E cameras, Fujifilm x with APS-C sensor is 42 mm EGF for cameras Canon EF-M with APS-C sensor is 44.8 mm EGF for system cameras Micro 4 / 3 is 56 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	Option from the review for cropped mirrorless Sony cameras. This lens exists with mounts: Sony E Canon EF-M Fujifilm x Micro 4 / 3 Nikon 1 (to be specified)
Number of aperture blades	9 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark (red dot on the bayonet side) focusing distance scale in meters and feet (there are uterus for 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 1, 2 meters and an infinity mark) depth of field scale for F / 2.8, 5.6, 22 (numbers are indicated explicitly) and for F / 4, 8, 16 (for these values, only stripes are indicated) aperture scale with marks from F / 2.8 to F / 22 in steps
Diaphragm	from F / 2.8 to F / 22, controlled using the aperture control ring. There are labels for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16, 22. The ring rotates without clicks, smoothly. Any intermediate value can be set.
MDF	0.25 meters, maximum magnification ratio approx. 1:7
The weight	190 grams
Optical design	6 elements in 5 groups Schematic drawing not found
Lens hood	Must be screwed into the thread of the front light filter, not included in the delivery
Manufacturer country	Made in China (there is no data on the country of manufacture on the lens itself)
Period	Around May 2016
Price	View on Aliexpress

Many amateur photographers want a fast fix, especially in addition to their full-time / 'whale' lens. Aperture F / 2.8 just a step wider f/4 aperture, which is used in 'dark whale' lenses at 28mm focal length. In numerical terms, this means that Meike 28 / 2.8 is approximately twice as brightthan, for example, regular Sony 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS и Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS, which at 28 mm focal length use a maximum aperture equal to only 1: 4. The calculation in the difference in the relative aperture (count the luminosity) is carried out in an elementary way: (4 * 4) / (2.8 * 2.8) = 2.

Assembly

In general, the lens well assembled... Meike 28 / 2.8 has metal mount for bayonet, and the lens case itself is completely made of metal.

The weight of the lens itself is about 200 grams. In the hands of the lens feels like a solid thing.

The filter diameter is 49 mm. The Meike 28 / 2.8 itself is quite compact, well suited for small Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor.

Meike 28/2.8 can be considered pancake lens.

The front lens cap is plastic, without latches, just fits snugly against the body frame. There is a special fabric seal on the inside of the lid. The cover is fixed tightly. Removing and installing the cover is pleasant.

The diaphragm consists of 9 blades (in 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 petals as much as 12) and forms a round hole at any values, while in the photographs in the zone of confusion, rather round discs of confusion are obtained. The diaphragm can only be controlled manually using a special ring. The diaphragm ring rotates smoothly, no clicks and fixed values, you can set any intermediate value in the range F / 2.8-F / 22, which is very useful when shooting video. The ring rotates quite easily. The ring is very close to the mount, which is not always convenient.

Focusing

The focus ring is narrow, metal, notched, comfortable. The ring spins on 180 degrees (1/2 of a full turn). Focusing is smooth and pleasant.

During focusing, the 'trunk' of the lens runs forward but does not spin... During focusing, the entire lens unit moves. The focus ring has a slight 'infinity hop'.

On the ring there is a scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet and a depth of field scale.

The minimum focusing distance is only 25 centimeters, and the maximum zoom ratio is approximately 1: 7, which is quite good (for example, 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 it is 1: 4, which, of course, is better).

Meike 28 / 2.8 has pronounced effect 'Focus Breathing' (angle changes while focusing). During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases slightly.

Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.

Important: focus peaking with Meike 28/2.8 on cameras sony alpha 3500 и Sony Alpha NEX-6 works good.

Image quality

In general, Meike 28 / 2.8 is not bad and even good.

Sharpness

1. at F / 2.8 in the center of the frame, the lens easily copes with a 20 MP sensor Sony a3500
2. there is a slight drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame
3. when closing the aperture to F / 5.6, the corners of the frame become indistinguishable from the center

Distortion

1. there is a slight barrel distortion
2. in the vast majority of cases, distortion remains invisible and does not impair the perception of the image

Vignetting

1. a strong vignetting at f / 2.8 when focusing at long focusing distances
2. vignetting is significantly reduced when closing the aperture to F / 4-F / 8
3. vignetting decreases during focusing towards MDF

Aberration

1. chromatic aberration fixed quite well and spoil the frame only in very rare cases
2. the strongest chromatic aberration noticeable in the corners and edges of the frame

Rest

1. you can get a large amount of glare in the backlight
   
2. the lens tolerates side light well, creates images with high contrast
3. the effect of an 18-beam star is easy to get
4. slightly twisted bokeh with pronounced discs of blur in the form of 'lemons' or 'cat's eyes'
5. on heavily covered apertures, the confusion discs have a fairly round shape

Important: at the time of writing this review, there was no Meike 28 / 2.8 profile for popular RAW converters. You can create a profile yourself or wait for its release.

Sample Photos

Sample photos on Sony NEX-6 (16MP Sony Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor), specially for this review, prepared Natalia (Instagram)... All photos are JPEG from the camera.

Original JPEG images can be view / download from this link (30+ files, Google Drive gallery).

All photos in the gallery below are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500 (Sony Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor at 20 MP). All photos are JPEGs from the camera.

Original JPEG images can be view / download from this link (20+ files, Google Drive gallery).

My experience

I have already shot with three similar Chinese lenses: Meike 25 / 1.8, 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 и PERGEAR 25 / 1.8... Each has its own pros and cons.

Subjectively PERGEAR 25mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC I liked it the most.

28mm on cameras with APS-C sensor is a very, very convenient focal length.

Price

Meike 28/2.8 costs around $70. The easiest way to buy Meike 28/2.8 at AliExpressFor example, at this link.

Results

Meike 28 / 2.8 is an inexpensive lens that can act as a regular solution for every day. Faster lenses such as 7Artisans 25 / 1.8, Meike 25 / 1.8, PERGEAR 25 / 1.8 etc. in general, they have the best price / quality ratio.

10 main advantages

1. low price (only around $60)
2. compact size (pancake lens)
3. very convenient focal length for working on cameras with APS-C sensor
4. the lens barrel is completely made of metal, including a metal mount
5. during focusing, the front lens with a thread under the filter does not rotate
6. there is a depth of field scale and focusing distances
7. nine aperture blades that always give a rounded opening
8. the aperture ring rotates smoothly, without intermediate values ​​(useful for video)
9. good sharpness in the center of the frame already at F / 2.8
10. low chromatic aberration

10 main disadvantages

1. large MDF (for example, 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 it is only 18 cm, against 25 cm for Meike 28 / 2.8)
2. mediocre aperture (e.g. 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 relative aperture is much wider)
3. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
4. a threaded (non-bayonet) hood should be used
5. the dimensions could be smaller, for example, autofocus similar FUJINON XF 27/2.8 much smaller
6. there is no lens profile for popular RAW converters, the lens is not 'hardwired' into modern cameras
7. it is not known where the lens should undergo warranty service
8. strong vignetting at f / 2.8 when focusing at infinity
9. poor performance with strong light sources that are in the frame (noticeable glare)
10. no autofocus (there is, for example, a similar inexpensive Chinese TTArtisan 27 / 2.8)

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram