60mm/2.4 vs Canon macro vs future Fuji macro?

platypusphoto wrote:

Folks,

I hear Fuji might come out with a replacement for the 60mm/2.4 sometime. Anybody have any updates?

I'm trying to decide on the following:

1. Use my Canon 100mm/2.8 macro with my X-T1 through an adapter. It works, but MF only and 2.8 only, and it's big and heavy. But it gets to 1:1 magnification.

The forthcoming Fuji 80mm macro is f2.8.  And most people resort to MF at macro distances anyway.  No disadvantage.

1. Sell my Canon macro, and trade/upgrade to the 60mm/2.4. I get compact size, versatility, everything, for very little $... except I get 1:2 (which is probably fine most of the time)

All good, unless you are someone who spends a lot of time at 1:1.  I find the 60mm to be an excellent small, light lens that doubles as a short tele, portrait and close focus lens.  The majority of natural subjects that interest me (frogs, flowers, most bugs, funghi, etc) work fine at 1:2 or less.  If I want more I add a tube or a CU lens.

1. Wait for the new Fuji macro, but dunno when that would happen.

It's scheduled for later this year.  A lot of people are posting about getting it or not getting it, but that seems premature to me given that no-one knows the specs.  The devil is always in the detail.  No-one knows if it's going to have a limiter (the absence of which is a drawback of the 60mm).  No-one knows if it's going to have a tripod collar (which will be very important if it's as big the prototypes they've shown.) And no-one knows if it's going to be an IF lens, which will reduce the working distance at high magnifications.

1. Get the Zeiss 50/2.8 macro. Its really $$$ though.

The Zeiss 50mm is reported to be an excellent lens, but it too suffers from being too short in FL for some applications.  it's shorter than the Fuji 60mm.  That's the principle reason that people are waiting for Fuji's longer lens.  And yes, the Zeiss is pricey.

So part of the equation comes down to if the new macro is worth waiting for.

It may be.  In the meantime you could buy a good used copy of the 60mm inexpensively off e-Bay, where they come up in mint boxed condition all the time.  And one 16mm tube would get you to 1:1.25 if you need more magnification.  I suspect that the 60mm will stay in the range - it's a very different lens from the prototypes of the 80mm macro that Fuji have shown.  A lot of people simply won't want a lens that big.  You could decide about the 80mm when it's announced and choose to keep or re-sell the 60mm then.

Cheers, Rod

thanks,

Evan