Meike has officially released a pair of new autofocus lenses covering both ends of the portrait spectrum. The full-frame AF 85mm F1.4 II MIX at $498 and the APS-C AF 56mm F1.7 Air at $159 are both shipping now, marking an aggressive expansion of Meike’s AF lineup across Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, and L-mount.
The two lenses target very different shooters. The 85mm F1.4 II is a serious full-frame portrait tool with features you would expect on glass costing twice as much. The 56mm F1.7 Air is the first in a new ultra-compact series explicitly designed for budget-conscious creators who want autofocus without the weight or price tag.
Meike AF 85mm F1.4 II MIX: The Serious Portrait Prime
The 85mm F1.4 II is the second generation of Meike’s full-frame 85mm, landing in the company’s MIX series with a spec sheet that puts pressure on established third-party options. At $498, it costs less than half of what a Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM commands, while offering an aperture ring, a custom function button, and USB-C for firmware updates.
The optical formula uses 11 elements in 8 groups. The 11-blade aperture is worth highlighting, rounder bokeh highlights are one of the things that separate a good portrait lens from a great one, and 11 blades is properly premium territory. Minimum focus distance is 0.81m.
The aperture ring is de-clickable, so video shooters get smooth iris pulls without any stepped changes. There is also a physical aperture lock switch to prevent accidental bumps when shooting stills. The Fn button on the barrel can be programmed through camera body settings.
Weather sealing is present at the mount, though Meike does not claim full dust and moisture resistance throughout the barrel. The lens includes a barrel-shaped hood in the box.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, L-mount |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Aperture | F1.4-F16 |
| Optical Design | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 11 |
| Min Focus | 0.81m |
| Filter Size | 77mm |
| Autofocus | STM stepping motor |
| Weight | 648g |
| Dimensions | 85mm x 110mm |
At 648g, the 85mm F1.4 II is not a lightweight lens, but that is the physics of full-frame F1.4 at this focal length. For comparison, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II weighs 642g. The Meike is in the same ballpark on specs, at roughly one-third the price.
Meike AF 56mm F1.7 Air: Tiny Price, Tiny Weight
The 56mm F1.7 Air is the lens that will probably move more units. It is an APS-C portrait prime with an 85mm full-frame equivalent field of view, weighing just 190g (6.7 oz) and shipping in black or white finishes. At $159, it undercuts almost every autofocus portrait lens on the market for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X.
This is the first of three planned Air-series lenses. Meike has confirmed a 25mm F1.7 and a 35mm F1.7 to follow, building a compact prime trio that directly mirrors what Viltrox launched with its own Air series last year.
The optical construction is 11 elements in 7 groups with a 9-blade aperture. Minimum focus is 0.55m, which gives enough working distance for tight headshots without getting uncomfortably close to the subject.
Meike claims the STM stepping motor delivers accurate subject tracking “without jitter or focus hunting,” which is an ambitious promise for a $159 lens. If it holds up in practice, this becomes a genuinely useful tool for video creators who need lightweight autofocus glass for gimbal work or run-and-gun shooting. There is also a physical AF/MF switch on the barrel, a feature that is surprisingly absent on many budget primes.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C (85mm full-frame equivalent) |
| Aperture | F1.7-F16 |
| Optical Design | 11 elements in 7 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 9 |
| Min Focus | 0.55m |
| Filter Size | 52mm |
| Autofocus | STM stepping motor |
| Weight | 190g (6.7 oz) |
| Dimensions | 66.5mm x 59.2mm |
| Other | AF/MF switch, black and white finishes |
Who these are for, and who they compete with
The 85mm F1.4 II goes up against the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 II and the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8. At $498, it lands between those two on price while matching the Samyang on aperture. The inclusion of an aperture ring, Fn button, and USB-C dock-less firmware updates gives it a features edge over both.
The 56mm F1.7 Air enters a crowded budget APS-C portrait market. The Viltrox AF 56mm F1.7 Air costs slightly more at around $180. The TTArtisan AF 56mm F1.8 sits near the same price. What differentiates the Meike is the weight penalty, or rather the lack of one. At 190g, it is among the lightest AF portrait primes you can mount on a Sony a6700, Nikon Z50 II, or Fujifilm X-T5.
For someone building a travel kit or a lightweight video rig on APS-C, a 190g 85mm-equivalent portrait lens with autofocus for $159 is about as accessible as this focal length gets in 2026.
Price and availability
Both lenses are available now. The Meike AF 56mm F1.7 Air is listed at $159 through B&H Photo, Amazon, and the Meike official store. The Meike AF 85mm F1.4 II MIX is priced at $498, available through the Meike store with broader retailer availability expected shortly.