I have an xe3 with a 23mm f2, 56mm f1.2 and 90mm f2 lens. I’d like to try my hand at macro without spending much money. I’m confused on what adapter I can use and how it works. Can someone enlighten me on the options? Thanks so much.
Hi,
I haven't read the other responses but here's my $0.02c worth. You've got two lenses that will do well with accessories for macro - the 56 & 90mm. (The 23mm isn't impossible but you end up with very, very short working distances between front of lens and subject).
The most flexible option is a macro lens, but at greater cost. Extension tubes and good quality close-up lenses can produce excellent results, but you have to switch them to get the best magnification for your chosen shot. The Fuji tubes and top CU lenses - like the Raynox or the Canon 250D and 500D screw-in two element achromatic lenses - are not much difference in price. They are however different on other ways.......
Extension tubes work with all lenses but work best with primes. The shorter the FL of the prime lens the more magnification a tube of given length causes. Conversely the longer the FL, the longer the tube you'll need to get a given magnification. Either Fuji tube would work on the 23mm but cause very short working distances - I wouldn't bother to try macro on the 23mm. A 16mm tube would work well to give you substantially closer focusing with the 56mm and 90mm lenses but you won't get high magnifications like 1:2 or 1:1. The downside of tubes is that they take some light so you get slightly slower shutter speeds. Tubes don't work well with zooms because any slight touch of the zoom setting causes massive loss of focus.
Close-up lenses work with all lenses. They change the optics, shorten the combined FL and lose distance focusing. They can potentially introduce flaws, though modern two or three element ones are excellent. Their advantage over tubes is that they don't rob you of any light, so they maintain shutter speeds better than tubes. That can be very important if you're chasing bugs. They also cooperate very nicely with zooms - you can zoom at will with no impact on focusing.
I would recommend trying the Canon CU lenses, probably starting with a 250D, on your Fuji 90mm. Their elements are larger and they don't vignette as easily as the Raynox on larger diameter, faster lenses. The Canons don't come in 62mm - it's 52, 58, 72 or 77mm, so you'd need a step up or down ring. The old Nikon T series achromatic lenses have been out of production for a long time and are quite expensive second-hand, but they did come in 62mm.
You can stack or combine tubes and/or CU lenses. Don't be afraid to experiment. In macro you just do what works. It's a demanding discipline, but addictive!
Cheers, Rod
