Meike 35mm T2.1 S35 EF Mount Cinema Lens

The Meike 35mm T2.1 S35 is a manual focus cinema prime lens built for filmmakers who want dedicated cine-style controls without the premium price tag. Its 12-element, 10-group optical design delivers sharp, low-distortion images across the entire Super 35mm image circle, with a 48.2-degree field of view that translates to roughly 56mm equivalent on full-frame—a versatile focal length well suited to dialogue scenes, medium shots, and environmental portraits. The T2.1 maximum aperture provides strong low-light capability and attractive background separation, while the iris stops down to T22 for deep focus work when needed.

Where this lens distinguishes itself from photo-oriented alternatives is in its cinema-specific design features. The focus ring is long-throw and smoothly dampened for precise, repeatable focus pulls, and the lens exhibits very little focus breathing—a common shortcoming in stills lenses repurposed for video. Sharpness holds up well from the center to the corners, and chromatic aberration is well controlled even at wider apertures. The Canon EF mount provides broad compatibility with cinema cameras like the Canon C-series, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras via adapter, and RED cameras with EF modules. With a 77mm front filter thread and a compact physical profile, the Meike 35mm integrates easily into existing matte box and filter setups without adding excessive bulk to the rig.