Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine
Zeiss 35mm f/2 is 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture. Meike 35mm f/2.1 has a physical aperture ring.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 is a 35mm f/2 prime, and the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine is a 35mm f/2.1 prime. On paper the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 
Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 better than the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine?
- 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2 vs f/2.1)
- 24 mm shorter (83 mm vs 106.5 mm long)
- Focuses 18 cm closer (0.3 m vs 0.48 m)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 77 mm)
Why is the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2?
- Has a physical aperture ring
- Newer design (2020 vs 2015)
02
Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
03
Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 | Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 ◆ | f/2.1 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 702 g (24.76 oz) | — |
| Dimensions | 77 x 83 mm | 80 x 106.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) ◆ | 0.48 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | — | 11 |
| Optical construction | 9 elements / 7 groups | 12 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Canon EF, PL, Canon RF, L-Mount, Sony E |
| Released | 2015 | 2020 |
| Price | — | $539.99 launch price |
04
Size
- A · Carl
- B · Meike
- 83 × 77 mm
- 106.5 × 80 mm
The Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine is 23 mm longer than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2.
05
Sample frames
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine?
- The Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 opens to f/2, against f/2.1 on the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine, 0.1 stops brighter.
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine?
- The Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.48 m for the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine.
- Do the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 and the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.1.
08
Other comparisons
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Nikon Nikkor MF 35 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Mitakon Creator 35 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0
- Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM vs Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
- Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine vs Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM