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

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.
2. 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)
3. Wait for the new Fuji macro, but dunno when that would happen.
4. Get the Zeiss 50/2.8 macro.  Its really $$$ though.

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

thanks,

Evan

1) I have and love the Fuji 60mm. It's a great lens: small, light, sharp, and very reasonably quick to focus as long as you are not moving between its long and short ranges. As you have noted, it is not a 1:1 "true macro" lens. You also note that this may not matter much.

2) I also have a "true macro" lens for my other system, the Pentax 100mm f/2.8, and there is a noticeable difference, particularly when photographing tiny objects, rather than my usual bugs and flowers. This lens is also much easier to use when moving between macro and telephoto, since it allows me to use manual focus when the lens is in AF mode. (I believe this is called "quick shift" and it really speeds things up. ) The Pentax is also weather resistant, which is great in the garden.

3) A new macro lens is expected soon from Fuji. Not much seems to be known about it except it is going to be an 80mm. I would expect it to be much larger and heavier than the 60mm and offer 1:1 true macro, i would hope that it would be weather resistant and offer either quick shift or a focus limiter to avoid that long slow rack between ranges. Whether such a lens would be a replacement for the 60mm or just an addition to the range is also unknown. I am definitely interested, although if it is large and WR it might tempt me to also add a larger WR camera room my stable. Regardless, I will be keeping my 60mm since I works so well on my X-T10.

I recently acquired a Leica Macro Elmarit-R 60mm 2.8, with extension tube included in the pacakage so 1:1 is also possible. I paid 350 euro for it, near mint condition.

Maybe worth considering for you too?

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.
2. 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)
3. Wait for the new Fuji macro, but dunno when that would happen.
4. Get the Zeiss 50/2.8 macro. Its really $$$ though.

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

thanks,

Evan

The Canon gives you reach and is a true macro; size is a deterrent

The 60mm is great but AF is not the fastest (don't need for macros) and can be used for portraits; the 1:2 magnification is a downer however

The 80mm will be expensive and large

Forget about the Zeiss, overpriced and short

If the Canon suffices then keep on using it

If GAS calls for then get the 60mm

yardcoyote wrote:

2) I also have a "true macro" lens for my other system, the Pentax 100mm f/2.8, and there is a noticeable difference, particularly when photographing tiny objects, rather than my usual bugs and flowers. This lens is also much easier to use when moving between macro and telephoto, since it allows me to use manual focus when the lens is in AF mode. (I believe this is called "quick shift" and it really speeds things up. ) The Pentax is also weather resistant, which is great in the garden.

Hmmm...  I get that 1:1 is more useful for tiny objects, I guess the question is how much $$     I'm guessing, if it has OIS, it might be closer to $1000, and then you wonder if I am willing to pay an extra $600 for the 1:1.

As far as MF in AF mode, I get around this on my X-T1 by setting camera to MF mode.  If I want AF, I can use the back button which is programmed to set AF to point.  This works great.   On my XF14/2.8, I can push/pull which automatically sets MF even in AF, but the trick before works with any lenses.

Sjak wrote:

I recently acquired a Leica Macro Elmarit-R 60mm 2.8, with extension tube included in the pacakage so 1:1 is also possible. I paid 350 euro for it, near mint condition.

Maybe worth considering for you too?

2 snapshots, not perfect in any way, was just playing around with my new toy but gives you an idea of this lens with the extension ring mounted. Cam is X-T1.

Thanks for the tip. I am so going to try that.

As for the 80mm, my guess is that it is going to be pretty deluxe as regards features, size, weight and cost-- a Big Lens in every sense. Definitely something those of us who practice "small Fuji" will have to consider carefully. I probably won't work toward it seriously until/ unless I start to move away from my DSLR.

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.

Why the "only 2.8" comment, there are very few macro lenses that are faster than 2.8 and you will be more concerned about stopping down for dof in any event.

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)

One of my favorite Fuji lenses.

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

Its on the official Fuji road map, most likely released this fall. Its in addition to, not a replacement of the 60. It will be an 80mm 1:1 macro probably 2.8, probably OIS, MUCH larger and heavier than the 60 and likely $1000+.

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

There are better options.

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

It will almost certainly be a fantastic lens but at a price and size that will give many a pause.

The Fuji 60mm macro is a sharp lens with a very nice bokeh. In my experience AF is very usable at distances from 1 meter (3 feet). At shorter distances AF is slower, but with macro I often use manual focus.

I second the idea of using a 16mm extender, you get almost 1:1 this way.

Peter Foiles wrote:

Why the "only 2.8" comment, there are very few macro lenses that are faster than 2.8 and you will be more concerned about stopping down for dof in any event.

Indeed; on the 2nd pic I posted above, shot at 2.8, only the eyes of the fly are in focus.

If I wanted to get a complete fly in focus, I needed to step down for a pic of fly+flower, which was taken a bit later at (I think) 5.6 or 8.

Sjak wrote:

Peter Foiles wrote:

Why the "only 2.8" comment, there are very few macro lenses that are faster than 2.8 and you will be more concerned about stopping down for dof in any event.

Indeed; on the 2nd pic I posted above, shot at 2.8, only the eyes of the fly are in focus.

If I wanted to get a complete fly in focus, I needed to step down for a pic of fly+flower, which was taken a bit later at (I think) 5.6 or 8.

By "only 2.8", I'm guessing the OP was referring to the fact that it's a Canon EF lens used via an adapter and so s/he would be unable to change the aperture.

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

platypusphoto wrote:

1. 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)

The MCEX-16 macro extension can get you to .76 magnification with the 60m 2.4.

http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n141120_03.html

This lens is versatile, I use mine for family portraits and its good for studio work and maybe some casual macro work.

The drawback are that its not fast in operation, and doesn't really cut it for serious macro work in terms of magnification or working distance.

The upcoming 80mm macro will be much better for serious macro work but it will also be enormous in size.

Tried the Zeiss. I feel I need the longer focal length. In fact I would rather buy a used Zeiss 100mm macro ZF2 and adapt it.

pauldb126 wrote:

Sjak wrote:

Peter Foiles wrote:

Why the "only 2.8" comment, there are very few macro lenses that are faster than 2.8 and you will be more concerned about stopping down for dof in any event.

Indeed; on the 2nd pic I posted above, shot at 2.8, only the eyes of the fly are in focus.

If I wanted to get a complete fly in focus, I needed to step down for a pic of fly+flower, which was taken a bit later at (I think) 5.6 or 8.

By "only 2.8", I'm guessing the OP was referring to the fact that it's a Canon EF lens used via an adapter and so s/he would be unable to change the aperture.

Ahh, you are right, I hadn't read it that way. Lack of aperture control would be a complete non-starter for me.

Especially for macro, where you often want to stop way down.

Dave Jaseck wrote:

If you just gotta have 1:1, get a el cheapo 16mm extension tube for the 60 will get you pretty close to 1:1. To me the beauty of the 60 is that it is really a close focusing short telephoto all around lens

Thanks for the hint Dave. I found this extension tube on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Mcoplus-MK-F-AF3-Extension-Adapter-Fujifilm/dp/B01KJQ8CJA/ref=pd_cp_421_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01KJQ8CJA&pd_rd_r=4QS0F8HZ0P6SB61B47M2&pd_rd_w=D5l1W&pd_rd_wg=TviVP&psc=1&refRID=4QS0F8HZ0P6SB61B47M2

There are cheaper ones too, but it seems for $30 to get both 11mm and 16mm and with electronic contacts is not too bad.

If this works it seems I'd almost rather have this than a bigger, heavier and much more $$ 80mm/2.8.

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