Meike 105mm T2.1 Full-Frame Cine Lens Announced

Lens News

by Jakub HanMarch 9^th, 2022

Meike’s 105mm T2.1 lens is the fifth lens from the company’s full-frame cine prime series. With a 45mm image circle, it covers image sensors up to the ARRI ALEXA LF, and offers a 100cm minimum focusing distance, 11-blade aperture, and geared rings with a 330° focus throw. The lens can now be pre-ordered for $998.

The Chinese lens and camera accessories manufacturer Meike has launched quite a few lenses in recent years. The latest products are cine primes for full-frame cameras and, interestingly, Meike is launching these lenses one by one and not as a whole line.

The company has already launched 35mm, 50mm and 85mm T2.1 full-frame cine primes. Last year in September, Meike added the 24mm T2.1. Now, the company announces the fifth lens of the series – the 105mm T2.1. Let’s take a look at the details.

Meike 105mm T2.1 full-frame cine prime lens: overview

The new Meike 105mm T2.1 full-frame cine prime expands the current line on the long end, yet there is one longer lens planned in the future. In fact, there are two more lenses planned to finish Meike’s full-frame cine primes series – the 16mm T2.5 and 135mm T2.4. When completed, this lens series will look like this:

• 16mm T2.5
• 24mm T2.1
• 35mm T2.1
• 50mm T2.1
• 85mm T2.1
• 105mm T2.1
• 135mm T2.4

The 105mm T2.1 comes in one of five lens mounts – ARRI PL, Canon EF, Canon RF, Sony E, or Panasonic (Leica) L. From what I understand, the mounts will NOT be user-interchangeable. Just like the rest of the lineup, Meike’s 105mm lens produces a 45mm image circle, so it should fully cover any camera sensor up to the ARRI ALEXA LF. The lens features industry-standard 0.8mm pitch gears on the focus and aperture ring.

Optical scheme and design

Optically, the lens design of the Meike 105mm T2.1 consists of eleven elements in seven groups. The aperture mechanism consists of 11 aperture blades and it opens and closes between T2.1 and T22. The minimum focus distance is 100cm and the focus throw (rotation) of the focus ring is a generous 330°.

Physically, the lens diameter is 89.6mm and the length varies, depending on the lens mount version, between 102.4 and 138.4mm. The lens weighs 1110 – 1176g. There is also an 82mm filter thread at the front.

Price and availability

The Meike 105mm T2.1 cine lens is now available for pre-sale for $998 on the manufacturer’s website. According to Meike, the lens will start shipping on March 25, 2022.

Do you have any experience with Meike cine lenses? How do you like the look and build quality? Would you rather go with other full-frame cine primes in that price range? Let us know in the comment section underneath the article.