Pentax DA 21430 70mm
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
What Buyers Say
Pentax DA 21430 70mm
The Pentax HD DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited is a compact prime lens that delivers outstanding sharpness, beautiful color rendition, and smooth bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and travel photography. Users praise its weather-resistant build, fast autofocus, and the retractable hood, though some note it can be a bit long on APS-C cameras for tight spaces. The HD coating improves flare resistance and color transmission compared to the older SMC version. Overall, it is highly recommended for Pentax shooters seeking a high-quality, portable telephoto prime.
Pros
- Outstanding sharpness
- Beautiful color rendition
- Smooth bokeh
- Compact and portable
- Weather-resistant build
Cons
- Slightly long on APS-C for tight spaces
- Bokeh not spectacular for some
- Focus ring feel not premium
- Lens cap can fall off if hood retracted
- Only for cropped sensor cameras
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
The Meike 55mm f/1.4 AF lens for APS-C Nikon Z cameras is a compact, fast-aperture portrait lens that delivers excellent sharpness and creamy bokeh at a very affordable price. Autofocus is quick and reliable, with good eye detection, and the lens handles well on smaller bodies like the Z30. Some users noted the minimum focus distance is a bit limiting and the build feels plasticky, but overall it offers outstanding value for money.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Creamy bokeh
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Great value for money
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Plasticky build feel
- Limited minimum focus distance
- No image stabilization
- Some chromatic aberration wide open
- Vignetting at wide apertures
Scores
Specifications
| Pentax DA 21430 70mm | Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 85 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 6 | 5 |
| Groups | 5 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 1★ |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | HD coating | Multi-layer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.4 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 11★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Pentax K | L-Mount |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.15 kg★ | 0.91 kg |
| Filter Thread | 49 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 701 mm | 85 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:8★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Pentax DA 21430 70mm
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average optical (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
- Strong bokeh (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 21 specs.
