Best UV Filters for Meike Lenses
Meike lenses have carved out a massive following by offering impressive optics at prices that seem too good to be true. However, these budget-friendly gems often lack the robust weather sealing and advanced lens coatings found on pricier native glass. To keep your Meike prime safe from scratches and dust without degrading its surprisingly sharp image quality, you need a high-quality UV filter. I’ve tested dozens of options, and the Hoya NXT Plus stands out as the perfect companion for Meike glass.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best UV Filters for Meike Lenses: Detailed Reviews
Hoya NXT Plus UV View on Amazon View on B&H
The Hoya NXT Plus UV is the gold standard for photographers who want professional-grade protection without a triple-digit price tag. When I paired this with the Meike 35mm f/1.4, I was blown away by how it maintained the lens’s natural contrast. It features a low-profile aluminum frame that prevents vignetting—a common issue when stacking filters on wider Meike primes. The 10 layers of Hoya Multi-Coating (HMC) are specifically designed to minimize reflections, ensuring that ghosting doesn’t ruin your sunset shots. One minor drawback is that the glass can be a bit stubborn to wipe clean if you get greasy fingerprints on it, but the inclusion of a waterproof top layer on the Plus version helps significantly. It’s a reliable, “set it and forget it” filter that offers 98% light transmission, ensuring your Meike lens performs exactly as intended.
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K&F Concept Nano-X View on Amazon View on B&H
If you’re looking for the best “bang for your buck,” the K&F Concept Nano-X is impossible to beat. It punches way above its weight class, offering a staggering 28 layers of multi-coating that are both waterproof and scratch-resistant. I frequently recommend this for the Meike 85mm f/1.8 AF lens users because it handles the glare that budget AF lenses are prone to. The build quality feels premium, with a CNC non-slip design that makes it easy to screw on and off even with gloves. In my field tests, the “green” coating did a fantastic job of reducing flare compared to cheaper, uncoated filters. While the color neutrality is excellent, I did notice a very slight, almost imperceptible warmth in certain lighting conditions, but it’s easily corrected in post. For the price, the protection and optical performance are truly remarkable.
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Tiffen UV Filter View on Amazon View on B&H
Let’s be honest: if you’re using one of Meike’s $70 manual focus primes, you might not want to spend $50 on a filter. The Tiffen UV protector is the industry standard for affordable insurance. It’s a basic, non-coated piece of glass that exists solely to take the hit so your lens element doesn’t have to. While it lacks the fancy anti-reflective coatings of the Hoya or K&F, it’s surprisingly durable. You’ll notice that in harsh, direct sunlight, it can introduce some extra lens flare, so I usually suggest removing it for critical sunset shots. However, for street photography or shooting in dusty environments, it’s a lifesaver. It’s made in the USA and uses Tiffen’s ColorCore process, ensuring consistent glass thickness. It’s cheap, effective, and better than leaving your lens exposed to the elements.
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B+W 010 UV-Haze MRC nano View on Amazon View on B&H
For those using Meike’s professional Cine lens line, the B+W 010 MRC nano is the only filter I’d trust. Constructed with legendary Schott glass and a heavy-duty brass frame, this filter is built to outlast your lens. Brass is superior to aluminum because it doesn’t “bind” or get stuck to the lens threads as easily. The MRC nano coating is incredibly slick; water beads off it instantly, and dust barely sticks. I’ve used this in sea spray and sandy wind, and a quick puff of air was often all I needed to clear the surface. It offers the highest possible light transmission with virtually zero impact on sharpness or color. Yes, it’s expensive, but if you’ve invested in a Meike T2.2 cinema prime, this is the level of protection your glass deserves to maintain its resale value and optical integrity.
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Urth UV Filter Plus+ View on Amazon View on B&H
Urth (formerly Gobe) has made a name for itself by planting trees for every purchase, but their “Plus+” line is a serious optical contender too. Using German SCHOTT glass—the same stuff used in high-end Zeiss optics—this filter is incredibly transparent. I find the Urth Plus+ particularly well-suited for the Meike 50mm f/1.7, as it maintains the lens’s creamy bokeh without adding harsh edges to highlights. The ultra-slim magnalium rim is sturdy and has a beautiful matte finish that looks great on modern mirrorless setups. While the 30-layer coating is impressive, it does feel slightly more delicate than the B+W nano coating. If you want a filter that performs like a pro model but supports environmental reforestation, this is a fantastic choice that doesn’t compromise on your Meike lens’s performance.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose a UV Filter for Meike Lenses
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoya NXT Plus | Best Overall | ★★★★★ | Check |
| K&F Concept Nano-X | Best Value | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Tiffen UV Filter | Budget Pick | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| B+W MRC nano | Premium Choice | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Urth Plus+ | Sustainability | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UV filters affect the autofocus on Meike AF lenses?
Generally, no. A high-quality UV filter is optically neutral and won’t interfere with the phase-detection or contrast-detection systems used by Meike’s autofocus lenses, like the 85mm f/1.8. However, if you use an extremely cheap, uncoated filter, you might experience focus hunting in backlit situations due to increased internal reflections. Stick with multi-coated options like the Hoya or K&F to ensure your AF remains snappy and accurate in all lighting conditions.
What size filter do I need for my Meike lens?
Filter sizes vary across the Meike lineup. For example, the popular 35mm f/1.7 usually takes a 49mm filter, while the 50mm f/1.7 often requires a 52mm size. You can find the correct diameter by looking for the “ø” symbol on the front of your lens or the inside of the lens cap. It’s vital to get the exact size, as even a 1mm difference will prevent the filter from threading onto your lens correctly.
Will a UV filter make my Meike lens less sharp?
Technically, adding any extra layer of glass can slightly degrade image quality, but with high-quality filters like the B+W or Hoya, the difference is invisible to the naked eye. In my experience, you’d need to zoom in to 400% on a high-resolution sensor to notice any softness. Cheap, non-coated filters are the real culprits for sharpness loss and contrast reduction, which is why I recommend spending a few extra dollars for a multi-coated version.
Can I leave the UV filter on all the time?
Yes, most photographers use UV filters as permanent protection. They are designed to stay on your lens to guard against accidental bumps, fingerprints, and dust. The only time I recommend taking it off is when you are shooting directly into a bright light source (like the sun or a streetlamp at night) to avoid “ghosting” or double-images, which even the best filters can occasionally produce when light bounces between the filter and the lens.
Are Meike lenses weather-sealed, or do I need a filter?
Most budget Meike lenses are not weather-sealed. They lack the rubber gaskets found on professional-grade glass, making them vulnerable to moisture and dust entering through the front element. A UV filter acts as a first line of defense, sealing the front of the lens barrel. While it won’t make your lens fully waterproof, it provides significant peace of mind when shooting in light drizzle or windy, sandy environments where grit could otherwise scratch the glass.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right UV filter for your Meike lens depends on your shooting style. If you want the absolute best performance without overspending, the Hoya NXT Plus is my top recommendation. For those on a tight budget using Meike’s entry-level primes, the Tiffen offers solid protection for pennies. However, if you are a professional filmmaker using Meike’s Cine series, don’t compromise—invest in the B+W MRC nano to ensure your footage remains crystal clear and flare-free.