After releasing a 50mm T2.1 full-frame cine lens in PL, RF, EF, L, and E-mount, Meike has announced a 35mm T2.1 prime that's available in the same mounts.
We were excited about the 50mm T2.1 announcement because the lens wasn't rehoused still glass with cine-friendly features like 0.8m mod gears and a de-clicked aperture, but instead, a lens designed specifically for cine use.
Better yet, the Meike lineup is quite affordable. The 50mm T2.1 is only $995.
The complete cine set will eventually include a 16mm T2.4, and a 24mm, 35mm, 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm, all at T2.1, which will be released in 2021.
- 85mm T2.1: April
- 24mm T2.1: June
- 16mm T2.4: June
- 105mm T2.1: July
- 135mm T2.1 August
With the ability to resolve 6K and 8K resolution, plus an image circle of 45mm, it covers the majority of large-format cinema cameras available, with the exception of the RED Monstro 8K VV sensor found on the DSMC2 brain and the Panavision DXL2. However, the lenses will cover most popular shooting options:
- Canon C700 FF 5.9K 17:9 - 43.1mm
- Sony VENICE 6K 3.2 - 43.2mm
- Alexa LF 4.5K Open Gate - 44.7mm
- Z Cam E2-F6 6K Open Gate - 44.5mm
- All full-frame Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Sigma, Leica mirrorless
- All Super 35 / APS-C sensors
Optically, the 35mm T2.1 is designed around 14 elements in 9 groups with an 11 blade aperture. It features industry-standard 0.8mm pitch gears on the focus and aperture ring that are consistent across both focal lengths.
Hopefully, Meike continues that trend for the entire series. The two lenses also share the same 11 blade aperture so the bokeh should be somewhat consistent as well.
For close focus, it has a minimum distance of 12" (33cm) with a favorable focus rotation of 330°. The 35mm prime will provide a 63.5° diagonal field of view. On an APS-C sensor, the 35mm is a 52.5mm equivalent. The lens is also compact and lightweight, weighing 2.5 lbs (1108 grams) making it ideal to pair with gimbals and drones.
Have you already tried the 50mm T2.1 lens? Let us know in the comments below what you think.
