Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Meike 35mm f/1.4 35mm
What Buyers Say
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
Meike 35mm f/1.4 35mm
This manual lens is a fantastic budget option for Fuji X and Canon M mount users, praised for its solid metal build and sharpness at a very low price. Reviewers love the fun shooting experience and bokeh, though some note the optics are not top-tier and require practice. It's widely recommended as a great starter lens for hobbyists.
Pros
- Solid metal build quality
- Very affordable price
- Sharp images wide open
- Fun shooting experience
- Good bokeh
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Optics not top-tier
- Requires practice to use
- Not compatible with many Canon DSLRs
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Meike 35mm f/1.4 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | — | 8 |
| Groups | — | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Multi-Layer Nano Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.22 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 49 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm★ | 400 mm |
Pros & Cons
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
Meike 35mm f/1.4 35mm
- Strong build (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average af (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Meike 35mm f/1.4 35mm offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 20 specs.
