Meike teased an AF 85mm f/1.2 for Sony E, L-mount and Nikon Z, and the biggest decision left was not optical. The company said the lens’s optical design was nearly complete, but it still had not settled on a plastic or metal barrel, a choice that will decide whether this becomes a genuinely practical fast portrait prime or just another heavy bragging right.
That weight split is the whole story for a lot of buyers. A plastic version was projected at 750g to 780g, while a metal build could climb to 870g or 900g, and Meike said it wanted the final lens body to stay under 900g. At 85mm f/1.2, photographers already accept bulk for shallow depth of field and strong subject separation, but they do not forgive a lens that feels needlessly dense on a shoulder rig or after a long wedding reception.
The tease also fits Meike’s broader portrait-prime push across the same three mounts. Meike released an 85mm f/1.8 SE II for E, L and Z mounts in November 2025, and that lens is listed at 369g and $230. Meike then announced an 85mm f/1.4 II in May 2026, while its 85mm f/1.4 product page showed firmware update entries for Z, L and E mounts in 2025. This is not a one-off concept sketch. It looks like a deliberate ladder of 85mm autofocus options for mirrorless shooters who want native glass without jumping straight to first-party pricing.
That is exactly where the f/1.2 makes sense. Sony, Nikon and L-mount shooters who want the 85mm look without paying flagship-brand money can usually live with some extra heft if the autofocus is reliable and the rendering holds together wide open. The real trade-off is not just weight on a spec sheet, it is the difference between a lens that still feels sane after an all-day shoot and one that immediately reminds you why most f/1.2 portraits come with a premium. If Meike lands on the lighter barrel, it could hit a rare sweet spot. If it goes metal, the lens still has appeal, but it becomes a more deliberate buy for photographers who will carry nearly 900g for the f/1.2 look.
Every story on Photography News is assembled by an automated editorial system that works from verified research, official records, and credible reporting, then clears automated accuracy and moderation checks before it goes live. The standards that system follows are set and overseen by the people who run the publication. Read our full editorial policy.
Did this article answer your question?
