Can a Budget Lens Beat a Legend? (Meike vs Canon 85mm Battle)

What makes a lens legendary? Can a modern budget lens give you a special look? Or is everything made nowadays just clinical perfection with no character or 3D pop? Let's review this Meike 85mm f1.4 on the Nikon Z6 III vs my Canon EF 85mm f1.2 adapted with the Fringer.
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[@cameraconspiracies]

If you buy today's gear through my affiliate links, you can film Bigfoot feeding his pet raccoons. Thank you for your Bitcoin donations :) bc1qacvd72s9565hpat4jueeultha3qvrv4kznyl3f Meike sent me the lens to review for free. Meike 85mm f1.4 for Nikon/Sony/LMount amzn.to/3NHWbOq Nikon Z6 III amzn.to/3BVHl3V Fringer EF-NZ II amzn.to/3NltmXX Canon EF 85mm f1.2 amzn.to/4eHigIM Tascam DR10L amzn.to/48oQ0bs All my gear and recommended products can be found in my affiliate shop, thanks for shopping around! www.amazon.com/shop/vegetablepolice

[@Fessoid]

6:15 Thats time for Marta with her incredible hair (wig)!

[@yawningmarmot]

Meike took the phrase "stepping motor" way too literally.

[@NewCompVisuals]

Tom Cruise I think was the first scientologist to measure 3d pop but then he dropped the notes jumping out of a plane, back to the drawing board.

[@slam_down]

Cruise definitely was measuring positive 3d-popping , specially in his early career. Then scientology kinda went flatlander for some reason

[@pixelsandgrain]

You just proved that Meike boy with all the ED elements has way more 3D pop than the Canon. Unless you are tricking us and the labels are backwards, zero 3D pop on the Canon in the intro section, vs 3D pop magic on Meike boy. Same on the railroad tracks, even in black and white. So either this is a the biggest ever camera conspiracy by mis-labeling the lenses on the video, or you can sell your Canon 85mm 1.2, and keep the cash and the free Meike shilltuber gift.

[@velvetvideo]

agreed

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

Canon DEFEATED

[@Jgheiler]

The 3d pop he is talking about isn't the flat image which results by the subject being in focus, and everything else behind him obliterated. That's what I think he refers to as separation. I think the 3d pop he is talking about is the 3 dimensionally of the entire picture which makes it seem like the subject is actually in a 3d scene, which has to do with separation, but also fall off. That's my understanding of it anyway. And I agree with him, the canon lens has less separation, but more 3d pop.

[@SMGJohn]

@@Jgheiler Well the term 3D Pop is pretty old but it dates back to the early 2000s with all the examples given back then being lenses with a lot of chromatic aberration, the same examples today with the most lenses people agree on has "3D pop" are basically lenses with tremendous amount of chromatic aberration. In a sense, scientifically this do make sense as chromatic aberration can indeed create illusion of a "3D effect" duo to the misalignment of the subject in focus, which also makes some of the dudes on the internet who spend all day talking about "3D pop" and proclaim themselves to be experts when they say Sigma has no 3D pop when their early autofocus lenses were notorious for chromatic aberration, only reinforces the fact that people today have no idea what they are on about, Sigma were in fact some of the first lenses used as examples for 3D effect back in the early 2000s, a lot of blogs had 20+ pictures just trying to prove this concept, using a Sigma lens LOL. The most notorious of them all is the 24-70mm zoom lens from Sigma, but not the first one, the second generation, right before they updated it to the Art line, that one is only sharp in the middle, chromatic aberration to the kingdom comes.

[@stabilized618]

I concur. Meike boy for the win.

[@DONK0]

I don't even care about cameras, I just watch cuz I like the way you talk.

[@jlward953]

You and I share a very specific sense of humor. Showing this to my wife she said, "You are the fan he needs." Lol

[@dennissmith1699]

Ahh! Someone else who appreciates the humor! He really would do well in considering a career in political satire. Canada could really use some satirical truth about its current federal government.

[@Pedro.DSouza]

3D pop will always be a reality, in our hearts. And just there. This Meike lens is amazing for the price btw. Great video!

[@ChickenMeister84]

I love how he almost loses hope with the AF at 3:56 but then immediately recovers. Had me giggling. I love the softness in the Canon lens and i say this as a nikon guy

[@WadeOntheLure]

Meike looked nice, but the b&w definitely showed the green screen effect a lot better on a phone screen! Nice work!

[@RaphaelMatto]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these "is 3D pop real" videos. I'm almost a believer-I need more proof How about reducing some of the variables: Nikkor Z 50 1.8 S vs Nikkor Z 50 1.4 would get me there. If you can prove the 1.8 S looks worse b/c of 3d-poplessness, that'd be a hot take for the ages.

[@ryanresavage7807]

Your bestest buddy Robin Wong just did a video about the clinically flatness of sharpness in modern lenses.

[@frankinblackpool]

I have recently learned a new way to get 3D pop and it's to use haze or subtle smoke behind you. I learned by the power of KZbin that the haze lightens the dark tones behind you through the power of magic and creates 3D pop with separation from the background. KZbin is magic.

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

I learn so much here! I love hearing about our early ancestors, cave people, who used saber tooth for lens, Amazing! I never knew ED meant erasing depth! I am a better photographer because of this channel! 13:18 was nightmare fuel! So much for a good night sleep! Thanks for sharing, educating and entertaining us!

[@jerazi3936]

Wirklich der fundierteste Objektiv-Test, den ich (heute) sehen durfte!

[@djvidual8288]

@11:45 I am sorry Kasey, yes, I see the slightest amount of difference on the left branches with some little more defined vertical lines. This is not worth persuing for me. I would always pick the Meike if we are just about image quality and price.

[@ShadesOClarity]

I finally understand what it is. I had to Google several examples. Then I came back to your examples on the tracks and BAM - there it is. I can finally see. Oh, have I been so blind. I now use a Miranda 50mm T1.8 and a Vivitar 28mm T2.8 adapted for R mount and I have the cinema. Those lenses aren't expensive, but the video they produce is awesome in that non-clinically sharp way. Really organic looking. That Meike has some pop. Good stuff, Kasey.

[@axelfoley1768]

From time to time this guy does legendary vids. This is one of them... creative, relevant, informative, interesting, entertaining, good technique, watchable. Most of his vids attempt to address things in this field & are at least interesting. Kudos. But sometimes 11/10 📸 🪂

[@Localtraveler2376]

It’s just nice he actually tests them and doesn’t read the company’s promotional script.

[@iamionscat9035]

AND! in a shilltuber review at the same time! What we need more of is honesty, different approaches and more honesty even if it's got warts.

[@FPVwineUK]

From time to time. Mr. Nobody commenting like he is the messiah of legendary video reviews. Every video Kasey does is genius. Your comment gets a -1/11 from me. 📸

[@Localtraveler2376]

@@FPVwineUK you’re comments lame too much though. Too preachy and judgmental.

[@FPVwineUK]

@@Localtraveler2376 hey Mr. ididntaskyou I just had a phone call from your English teacher and she would like you to return to her class, to teach you basic English.

[@scotthime6928]

Most people don't know that the first chromatic aberration wasn't an aberration at all. It was blood fringing the edges of those sabertooth tiger tooth lenses. You can get the same effect from soaking a modern-day lens in a can of cherry 3D-Pop. But not if you let the fizz out.

[@alexandthebirds94]

‘Poppeh on the left , flawt on the right “

[@imagenatura]

The key to 3d pop is having focus roll-off in front of the subject and behind the subject. The number of elements might not have that much to do with it IMO.

[@bobcoco6047]

What I was thinking to some extent, even though there are other elements that seem to influence the result on this aspect : micro-contrast is 1 of them, & the plane of focus, which is different from lens to lens, can affect what's in focus at the same time in the frame differently, as it can be curved on some lenses. Few ppl demonstrate that. I don't remember the rest, but the depth of field element suggests to me, there would be a specific aperture that would be the sweet spot for every situation, so that depending on the distance of the subject to the cam, & the depth of the subject, a specific aperture would be ideal. However that couldn't explain the diff from lens to lens, at the same aperture, so there's something else.

[@123fourfivesix-g4i]

As a hobbyist I want this lens. As a broke hobbyist looking at the 1.8 version of this lens.

[@deadruss7574]

Me too!

[@Leola-faye]

I’ve got the Meike and LOVE it…. Definitely got the biggest bang for my buck. Now I’M CONSIDERING THE 70-200mm for portrait and event photography.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

B&W does increase the 3D pop of both lenses. The foliage, though of varying colors, is of similar value (light/dark). So in monochrome, it all blends together more. The Meike lens does have better bokeh balls with less cats-eye. But the AF is horrible. Also, close focusing isn't great (98cm compared to the Canon's 85cm). You should really get at least one native Z-mount 85mm lens to see if the AF problems are the lens' fault or the body's. Thanks!

[@Filmgoblin]

I was using the canon 85 1.2 yesterday! Such a ridiculously beautiful lens. I finally realize 3d pop is real

[@trym2121]

3d pop is real, repeat after me for 100 times.

[@Filmgoblin]

@@trym2121 hahaha

[@RB-vf9xn]

Great video, you’re always entertaining and informative, keep it up!

[@charliejg]

3D pop, Iggy Pop, Soda Pop, Lollipop.....it's photography to me.... LOL! That Meike looked pretty good. Have a rockin' weekend.

[@florabee9283]

I see 3D pop as long as it’s labeled on the image so I know that I should see it.

[@AprilClayton]

I was wondering what ED stood for.

[@Labunga43]

Kasey! Get the TTArtisan 50mm 1.4 tilt for z mount. It’s only $250cad, and its fantastic! Not the sharpest wide open, but my god it has the 3D pop like you wouldnt believe! Its fabulous. I just got mine, and have been blown away. An affordable tilt lens that pops. Just do it

[@bobcoco6047]

If you take a picture of the Earth with a 3D pop lens, does it stop being flat ? 😇😶‍🌫

[@PLACESNONDESCRIPT]

The pop we shall have it 😂

[@Democratiser]

Dirty Photography Club has changed his channel name. The algorithm apparently categorised that name uncharitably. He is now Real Life Photography. I love his channel. Just set speed at x2 and away you go.

[@kostistau]

Hell yeah the 3d crab walk Test. The only scientific way do determine 3d pop.

[@phl0w666]

What's science have to do with it? Unless it's scientologistically proven get out of here.

[@mjklein]

Certainly, "Litten" has to be in the Urban Dictionary by now.

[@dkba27]

Is the lens distortion from older lenses causing the "pop"? It seems like there might be inconsistency there. At the same distance the newer lens seems to produce wider objects in the center, while the older lens produces more narrow objects.

[@dkba27]

The other thing is maybe they're not both truely 85mm. Idk how to measure that, but it's something to consider.

[@BearTracksFlyFishing]

I kinda liked the look of the Meike. I might even use your affiliate links in the description below…

[@James-d3j]

yea. that meike realy dose have the pop you love, wow

[@milunacodes]

That Meike boy looks really good!

[@sneye1]

Hi, the Meike looks better than others but no match to the Canon 1.2. Sirui just announced its own version. The optical formula is interesting, maybe somewhat poppy. Please try it out when available.

[@PeaceTrainUSA-1000]

I don't to be in the scene. I AM THE SCENE.

[@ml.2770]

Meikeboy looks fantastic.

[@jakilahmoulien9070]

I believe chromatic aberration enhances depth perception. I just made a magazine cover with a Duplicate Word (very thin) layered on top of each other slightly adjacent. one was cyan, the one on top was red. when both are layered on top of each other it looks like it's popping out of the screen.

[@gamebuster800]

Yeah - I saw a 2D game do the same thing, using red and green slightly offset and it gave a strong 3D effect

[@kalinmir]

I recently noticed that my freaky eyes have CA, tho I can only perceive it while looking with one eye...so maybe that's the reason the one looks more pleasing? idk I just cant see the pop

[@jakilahmoulien9070]

@@kalinmir light/dark and Chromatic contrast are important too. If there's no contrast of colour or luminance for it to pop it won't obviously

[@kalinmir]

@@jakilahmoulien9070 true but that is not necessarily lens based as the shill in the video insists...boost in contrasts could achieve this if that was the case

[@vampolascott36]

I didn't used to believe in 3D pop. But now I"m seeing it everywhere!

[@LouisLuzuka]

😮

[@iamionscat9035]

There has to be a way to get this effect in post. The non sharp lenses have a barrel like blur at the edges. Some wizard must have an effect that can be applied, because I love my sharp Sony zooms.

[@russi.kach.storyteller]

The difference in lighting again makes it difficult to honestly compare the two lenses.... It's good that you compare on the same camera

[@dennissmith1699]

Did you just return from a long relaxing vacation or get some extra long R.E.M./Deep sleep the night before? This was an extreme, full throttle, 110% CC guy video! Love your stuff.

[@gregorylagrange]

Not much difference. The Meike has less bokeh, so the background has a little more contrast when hes backed up down the tracks. The extra bokeh of the Canon lens makes everything wash to a more uniform tone. It's really evident when he comes in close.

[@scottywed]

Forget the sniff test, the crab walk is the new standard. The AF on that Nikon is horrible.

[@Valkyrie_SDS]

Thanks for the video.

[@klausschroiff4405]

I think you should do a blind test without knowing the number or the lack of ED elements ... So far, this quest seems to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[@maximkrivov]

What AF lenses in 21/35/50mm for L mount that have 3D Pop do you recommend apart from the Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN C ?

[@lennutrajektoor]

Do t-shirt @8:51 "Ghost of not auto focusing"

[@AlanGurling]

I can see the 3D pop! But it's on the Meike! 🤣

[@HereAfterBilliards]

From one honesty inspired shill to another...your videos rock! Keep being you friend!

[@williamwilson5127]

The Canon seems to be more pleasing 95% of the time. It is just a choice of whether you want to fly budget or first class.

[@klklkl427586]

just checking if new Fuji arc started

[@Painsoreal]

Plz do Sirui's review

[@Painsoreal]

Like Sniper series

[@ricknicholson5894]

Cheap cost for good bokeh, Canon EF 85mm f1.8, all you really need.

[@aantonic]

Agree, perfect lens ,only prob is chromatic ab.,but it can be fixed in post proc.

[@baconcrusader8382]

So to me, what happens is on the older designs there's approximately the same depth of focus in front of and behind the subject, in a non-brickwall kind of way. That creates a shallow depth of field "zone" around the subject, so the subject seems to be on the same plain of reality as the viewer. On the newer lenses, it appears they have designed the lenses to place the main subject towards the back of the depth of focus/focus zone. This makes the subject look oddly "placed" within the scene, rather than being a part of the scene. Nuanced stuff, but visually noticeable.

[@gamebuster800]

The DoF "fall-off" is widely different on older lenses. That is, the transition between in-focus and out-of-focus is very different. I think this is a major contributing factor. The "messy" DoF fall-off can look busy/messy but also gives a 3D look.

[@WorldMoneyWins]

The dog blessed your gear with his pee.

[@rossbodenmann]

The lighting change is the pop

Is there a way to "simulate" 3d pop? With any kind of photo/video effect. That would make us know what it is exactly

[@minusinfinity6974]

Without controlled lighting no conclusions can be drawn IMO. Constrast varied too much from moment to moment. I really couldn't see the Canon having more pop at all though when lighting was similar for the scene. Meike looks good, but that AF is a deal breaker. Maybe Sirui's Aurora 85 f/1.4 can make stepping motor work

[@Forbidden-Yoga-Dot-Com]

What a good video 🎉 Is there any Lens for Fuji XT similar ?

[@cameraconspiracies]

It comes in Fuji mount. As my affiliate link in the pinned comment showed.

[@IlyaPodnebesmiy]

I'm starting to grow a beard too. and I would like the beard to pierce you in a black and white image. that is, you know what I mean, these old black-and-white photographs of old men, where their thick beards seem to fall out into your hands through the image plane. but I also don't want to lose the 3D effect for this. I want to feel the sharp hair and the depth of space in a black and white video at the same time.

[@lennutrajektoor]

Funny, despite you've been right I still agree with the people who state they see 3D pop on Mieke. I see the flatness of Mieke but I also see 3D pop on Mieke. My first reaction was "Mieke is a good 3D pop lens". I still believe this but I agree Canon lens delivers the promised 3D pop. So, it has to be associated with brain's perception of depth.

[@MicrophonicFool]

I wasn't expecting Meike to have better toneh balls

[@JoATTech]

Some day I will see the 3d pop :D

[@spencerl885]

Hey Kasey, have you tried deliberately adding a little pin-cushion distortion adjustment to a modern super corrected flat plane lens? I'm curious if that can have a slight change in the ability for us to see the illusion of depth perception of an image? Perhaps it has some effect? just thinking out loud

[@Tech-NO-City]

I should call the CN Railroad and tell them how you're playing on an active main line.

[@RubberontheroadIndonesia]

Why do people worry so much about background blur when you naturally look through your own eyes there is none unless you have a severe hangover????

[@Sarsour_]

Awesome content!

[@DaveNZ3339]

Boy, I just watched something there. Not sure what it was though.

[@Spiritfractals]

Its really hard to tell you need to buy another nikon body so you can do them side by side - that would be the bees knees of comparison ❤😂

[@robertgoerss]

The conversation with the model was a little too one sided. It lacked 3D oops.

[@victor.ivanov]

the last 5 seconds - cinema was ours. ma friends

[@gamebuster800]

Even in B&W, the colors are widely off. Is it that hard to get all params the same?

[@filmedwith]

Id hate to say it but i think Micky has some pop 🫢

[@pixelsandgrain]

Way more pop on Meike boy than the Canon for sure. In all settings. Maybe he changed the lens labels to create the biggest and baddest and dirtiest camera conspiracy of all times.

[@PatrickWithCamera]

@@pixelsandgrain I think its because with meike he had a sun out of the clouds which gives higher contrast to the scene, while with canon looks like sun was behind clouds and its more muted. With meike I see weird cut out effect which I don't like, but that also could be the effect of higher contrast.

[@lkamocsa]

​@@PatrickWithCamera Maybe you can make that argument with the outdoor shots, but inside his studio it was the same lighting. Canon looks flatter than a pancake, Meike is full on 3D pop hot stuff.

[@50shadesofNV]

thanks for getting us DOWN the 3D pop rabbit hole, I just read that most 3D pops is at Tony 4 and Tony 5.6 on full frame due to focus to background transition, is this true ?

[@Fessoid]

8:55 That was crippy horror movie :)

[@ivandj707]

The Meike is exactly the lens I need, too much 3D pop makes me dizzy 😊😊.

[@BeauTheC.H.U.D.]

You shall be enveloped in the etheral flow of the POP while simultaneously penetrated aggressively by the 3D... is the best way i can explain experiencing the 3D Pop.

[@a_lucientes]

Great episode lol

[@rephaelreyes8552]

Did you know that your eyes can actually see some chromatic aberrations. It’s just hard to notice because your brain filters it out like how your periphery always sees your nose. I honestly think this is why vintage lenses have this 3D pop. I mean look at the Spider-Man animations, 20 minutes in, your brain immediately gets used to the chromatic aberrations

[@chicojuanito2]

Is that the only reason you have christmas lights back there all year round, to test toneh balls?

[@Fessoid]

6:37 Donvt play Toneh Balls unless youvre Chelsea!

[@stewart73]

Is it just me or does the Meike look better? Dare we dream it....

[@mar0zim]

6:34 Test the Tony balls, I wonder what Chelsea would say... 🤔

[@vo4wb]

Anybody over here ever seen the 3d pop ? You are so lucky. I never did see it.

[@drhito]

I watch your video a few weeks back about you getting a Leica SL 50mm f2 when the new Panasonic S1H releases. Apparently, its a rebadged Panasonic 50mm 1.8; It has the exact same optical formula, and the 3D pop present. The Sigma 50mm F2 Contemporary has the pop for sure surprisingly since it has lower elements and less ED glass. I would love to see your take on rebadged lenses. Has Leica lost their way with modern AF lenses?

[@50shadesofNV]

Meike did a collaboration with Fuji, BTW, how is the 35 F1.4 experiment going ?

[@iamionscat9035]

Have you ever actually tried one of these new, really sharp, Sony t2.8 zooms? I mean actually tested it against one of Sony Zeiss lenses? I want to see what it looks like side by side in a Pepsi style 3D pop quiz challenge.

[@YouSnoozeYouNooze]

Maybe 3d pop is just dark blacks. The first time I saw an OLED TV I was struck by how the show I was watching looked obviously like actors on a set. Like it was so much more realistic I could tell it was faked

[@AABB-px8lc]

becouse no more noise in color. Cinema ppl use real camera with internal cooling, selected sensors etc to lower noise, all consumer even a7s3 obviously have no such tricks to save weight and size, but at least in B/W channel it almost same.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

It's that and the fluid-motion / high-refresh effects. I tried to watch lord of the rings on one and it looked like a behind-the-scenes making-of video. Incredibly uncinematic to the point of just looking like some guys in costumes.

[@AABB-px8lc]

@@Thirsty_Fox I have local copy of "in time" movie, first one that Arri new gen camera used, and i suspect some heavy post processing NR used to reduce size and compressability for my torrent file, but some scenes so damn good (night streets), i feel ooposite - it is future. We just cannot afford such gear yet, and you will vomut at almost all "good old" noisy movies in maybe 15-20 years, there is nothing in jerky 24 fps posterize images.

[@joe99173122]

I SEE IT

[@ofthenearfuture]

I want to like Meike, but there's just not enough info out there for me yet especially long term... They released a 33 f1.4 for Fuji a few months ago and it looks good, but there is still almost zero information or video reviews covering it, so it's really hard to take a risk and pull the trigger.

[@jaunecosula6793]

I just cant see the 3d pop, i prolly would nod "Yeah, its poping..." if you say so... even if you show me pic of Teletubby on coloring book at black and white. But i enjoy the journey to figure it out :D

[@WebsterNobert]

Thank you for justifying my love of my Zeiss 55mm f1.8 ZA which has no erectile dysfunction elements

[@ofthenearfuture]

As far as I'm aware, onion-ring bokeh is caused by aspherical elements.

[@peterreber7671]

As I suspected, 3d pop us just in one's imagination.

[@donphobos]

Little did I know, that I am in need of 3D pop. Now I know it and am aware. Thank you. I will leave....

[@SPQR3ROME]

Lol, The guy on the left has green glasses.