Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 § 03 Head to head
Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 vs Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine
Irix 15mm f/2.4 is 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture. Meike 16mm f/2.5 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 is a 15mm f/2.4 prime, and the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine is a 16mm f/2.5 prime. On paper the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 
Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine 01
Key differences
Why is the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 better than the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine?
- 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2.4 vs f/2.5)
- Wider field of view (15mm vs 16mm)
- 216 g lighter (895 g vs 1111 g)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.25 m vs 0.3 m)
Why is the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine better than the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6?
- Longer reach (16mm vs 15mm)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Smaller filter thread (86 mm vs 95 mm)
- $96 cheaper ($1,099 list price vs $1,195 launch price)
- Newer design (2022 vs 2020)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 | Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm | 16mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.4 ◆ | f/2.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 895 g ◆ | 1111 g |
| Dimensions | 89 x 95 mm | — |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.25 m ◆ | 0.30 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 11 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 15 elements / 11 groups | 16 elements / 11 groups |
| Filter size | 95 mm | 86 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, PL, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-Mount | Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
| Price | $1,195 launch price | $1,099 list price ◆ |
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Sample frames
Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 or the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine?
- The Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 opens to f/2.4, against f/2.5 on the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine, 0.1 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 or the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine?
- The Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 weighs 895 g, 216 g less than the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine (1111 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 or the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine?
- The Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 focuses down to 0.25 m, against 0.3 m for the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine.
- Do the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 and the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 or the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- Is the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 or the Meike 16 mm T2.5 Cine better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Irix Cine 15 mm T2.6 has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.