Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM vs Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine
Canon 85mm f/2 is 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture. Meike 85mm f/2.1 has a more aperture blades.
The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is an 85mm f/2 prime, and the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine is an 85mm f/2.1 prime. On paper the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM 
Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM better than the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine?
- 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2 vs f/2.1)
- 670 g lighter (500 g vs 1170 g)
- 48 mm shorter (90.5 mm vs 138.4 mm long)
- Focuses 50 cm closer (0.35 m vs 0.85 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 82 mm)
Why is the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine better than the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM?
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2020)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.35 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM | Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 ◆ | f/2.1 |
| Minimum aperture | f/29 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Short telephoto macro prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 500 g (1.10 lbs) ◆ | 1170 g |
| Dimensions | 78 mm (diameter) x 90.5 mm (length) | 89.6 x 138.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.35 m (1.15 ft) ◆ | 0.85 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.5x | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (up to 5 stops) ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) | 11 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 12 elements in 11 groups | 14 elements in 8 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm ◆ | 82 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon EF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Price | — | $998 list price |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Meike
- 90.5 × 78 mm
- 138.4 × 89.6 mm
The Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine is 48 mm longer and 670 g heavier than the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM or the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine?
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM opens to f/2, against f/2.1 on the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine, 0.1 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM or the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine?
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM weighs 500 g, 670 g less than the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine (1170 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM or the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine?
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM focuses down to 0.35 m, against 0.85 m for the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine.
- Do the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM and the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine have image stabilization?
- Only the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM or the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.35 m.
- Is the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM or the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
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