The 55mm f/1.8 lens sits in a sweet spot for photographers who want the versatility of a standard focal length without the bulk and cost of faster f/1.4 options. Budget-conscious shooters have traditionally had to choose between cheap but mediocre optics or expensive premium glass, leaving a gap in the market for affordable lenses that deliver genuinely good performance. However, this lens bucks that trend.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video puts the Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro AF lens through comprehensive testing to see if it can bridge that gap. Priced at $329, this lens positions itself slightly above the cheapest 50mm options while promising much better optical performance through its complex 11-element design. Frost tests the lens on a demanding 61-megapixel Sony a7CR to push its limits and see how it holds up under scrutiny. The review covers everything from build quality and autofocus performance to detailed image quality analysis across different apertures.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 55mm
- Aperture: Maximum f/1.8, Minimum f/16
- Lens Mount: Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X
- Format Coverage: Full frame
- Minimum Focus Distance: 1.8' / 55 cm
- Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
- Aperture Blades: 9
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: 58 mm (Front)
- Weight: 12.8 oz / 364 g
The lens construction brings some pleasant surprises for its price point, including weather-sealing with an eye-catching orange gasket and a USB-C port for firmware updates. The optical testing reveals some expected weaknesses at wide apertures but also shows where the lens punches above its weight class. The review also covers some specific scenarios where this lens might be particularly well suited compared to more expensive alternatives.
What's particularly valuable about this review is how Frost puts the lens performance in context. He acknowledges that while the resolution performance might seem just "okay" on a 61-megapixel camera, anyone using a lower resolution sensor will likely be much happier with the results. The video also explores how the lens performs for specific types of photography and videography, giving you practical insights about when this lens might be the right choice for your needs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
