Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine § 03 Head to head
Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine vs Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4
Meike 85mm f/2.1 is 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture. Schneider-Kreuznach 85mm f/2.4 is 46 mm shorter.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine is an 85mm f/2.1 prime, and the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 is an 85mm f/2.4 prime. On paper the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine 
Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 01
Key differences
Why is the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine better than the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4?
- 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2.1 vs f/2.4)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
Why is the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 better than the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine?
- 46 mm shorter (92.8 mm vs 138.4 mm long)
- Focuses 45 cm closer (0.4 m vs 0.85 m)
- Smaller filter thread (77 mm vs 82 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine has the edge: its f/2.1 aperture gathers more light than f/2.4.
03
Specification
| Specification | Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine | Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.1 ◆ | f/2.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1170 g | — |
| Dimensions | 89.6 x 138.4 mm | 89 x 92.8 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.85 m | 0.40 m (15.75 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 11 ◆ | 9 |
| Optical construction | 14 elements in 8 groups | 8 elements / 6 groups |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 77 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2021 | — |
| Price | $998 list price | — |
04
Size
- A · Meike
- B · Schneider-Kreuznach
- 138.4 × 89.6 mm
- 92.8 × 89 mm
The Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine is 46 mm longer than the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4.
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine or the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4?
- The Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine opens to f/2.1, against f/2.4 on the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4, 0.4 stops brighter.
- Which focuses closer, the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine or the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4?
- The Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 focuses down to 0.4 m, against 0.85 m for the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine.
- Is the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine or the Schneider-Kreuznach Makro-Symmar 85 mm f/2.4 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Meike 85 mm T2.1 Cine has the edge: its f/2.1 aperture gathers more light than f/2.4.
08