Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm
The Meike lenses are widely praised for delivering impressive sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value for money, often compared favorably to much more expensive native lenses. Users highlight solid build quality, smooth manual focus rings, and pleasing bokeh, though a small number note minor issues like aperture ring looseness or focus hunting in very low light. Overall, it's seen as a fantastic budget-friendly option for photographers seeking prime performance without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Impressive sharpness for the price
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Pleasing bokeh
- Good value for money
Cons
- Aperture ring has slight play on some units
- Autofocus can hunt in very low light
- Lens hood attachment can feel stiff
- Minimum focus distance is somewhat long
- Some chromatic aberration in high contrast scenes
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 11 | — |
| Groups | 9 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Multilayered Coatings | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 380 mm★ |
Pros & Cons
Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm
- Strong social proof (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong build (75th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 20 specs.
