Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
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
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Scores
Specifications
| Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 19 |
| Groups | 9 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | Multilayered Coatings | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:2★ |
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)
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
Pricing
Meike SE Series 35mm f/2.0 AF 35mm offers 1.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.
