DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

Started Nov 26, 2019 | Questions
baobob
baobob Forum Pro • Posts: 18,248
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

It is very difficult to predict... The Raynoc with it's universal adapter works perfectly with the 55-200mm at all FL  without any vignette, at 135mm only with the 18-135mm, vignette at all FL with the 18-55mm

The main issue with the 50-+140mm is the size of filter  72mm which exceeds the size of the universal adapter

Sure you could fit an adaptor ring but most probably you will get a significant vignette

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience
Experience comes from bad judgment

 baobob's gear list:baobob's gear list
Sony RX100 Panasonic ZS200 Fujifilm X-H2S Fujifilm X-H2 Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R +16 more
CeeDave
OP CeeDave Senior Member • Posts: 2,208
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

getochkn wrote:

https://www.fujirumors.com/mitakon-creator-85mm-f-2-8-1-5x-super-macro-for-fujifilm-x/

5x, 85mm manual focus new fuji mount

Interesting, may consider it when it becomes available. Thanks.

-- hide signature --

Chris
A couple of Fuji cameras and assorted X-mount and adapted primes

 CeeDave's gear list:CeeDave's gear list
Fujifilm X-E2 Fujifilm X-H1 Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +12 more
CeeDave
OP CeeDave Senior Member • Posts: 2,208
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

baobob wrote:

I am very pleased with the Raynox

I’ve heard good things about Raynox, but if I go with a closeup lens I want to be able to cover larger diameter lenses, esp. my Rokinon 135/2 which is 77 mm filter thread. I had good results from borrowed Canon 250 and 500Ds back some years ago (when I was still a Nikon DSLR user). The Canons are great quality, but expensive.

Does anyone have experience with the Marumi or Adorama branded achromatic close up lenses? They are available in more powers, and in 77 mm, and sometimes a bit less expensive than the Canons.

Thanks for your post.

-- hide signature --

Chris
A couple of Fuji cameras and assorted X-mount and adapted primes

 CeeDave's gear list:CeeDave's gear list
Fujifilm X-E2 Fujifilm X-H1 Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +12 more
Rod McD Veteran Member • Posts: 8,589
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

Hi Chris,

I've come to this thread late and you appear to have lots of advice..... but here goes. FWIW, I can't afford the Fuji 80mm, and it has rather poor working distances anyway (because it's a short-ish IF lens).

The cheapest way to get 1:1 with a Fuji camera is to adapt a legacy macro lens. There are some that go to 1:1 (such as the Tamron 90/2.8 Models 172E and 272E, some Sigma and Tokina ATX 100/2.8 models or a Nikon 105/2.8D (to get one with the essential aperture ring).

Or, buy an older legacy lens that goes to 1:2 and to 1:1 with its dedicated extension tube (such as the Nikon AIS 105/2.8 or 105/4, Minolta MD 100/4, Canon FD 100/4, Pentax 100/4, 90/2.8, etc). The 1:2 models are a little older and cost a lot less. Just make sure you get one that's being sold with the matched 1:1 tube. You can buy them for the price of two Fuji extension tubes. I wouldn't worry too much about IQ - macro lenses were always amongst the sharpest lenses you could buy. And in macro, technique and lighting matter a lot more than the glass.

I'm very happy with my MD 100/4 and life size matched tube. If I'd had a bit more cash at the time I'd have probably opted for the Nikon 100/2.8D because it goes to 1:1 by itself. I didn't, and the Minolta has worked out fine. A nice thing about it is that it has very low CAs...

If you decide on longer than 100/105mm, the options are few. You must have an aperture ring, so discounting early Canikon 200mm lenses, there's the Tamron 180/3.5 or the same spec'd lens from Sigma, but neither are cheap. And there's the much earlier and smaller Sigma 180/5.6 Apo Macro. They aren't dear, but they're hard to find. I have one and it works very well, with zero CAs, but it's optimised for macro and isn't brilliant for distance focusing.

If you want even longer, there's the Sigma "Apo Tele Macro" 300/4 and 400/5.6. Very good lenses, that focus to about 1:3 at long range.  You'd need one in Pentax or Nikon mount to get the AR. Note the name. These are different from Sigma's early Apo Tele's with 'macro'. Chalk and cheese. The wording has to be exact and the filter size is 77mm, where the others are 72mm.

Happy hunting.

Cheers, Rod

 Rod McD's gear list:Rod McD's gear list
Fujifilm X-T4 Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS +13 more
selected answer This post was selected as the answer by the original poster.
jtr27
jtr27 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,328
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

Another fine legacy lens, pricier than some perhaps, but perhaps also one of the best, and not just as a macro lens: the Tokina AT-X 90mm F2.5 (aka "Bokina.") It can do 1:2 as is, and 1:1 with a dedicated adapter.

Check out the detailed review including spectacular sample images at:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review/

-- hide signature --
CeeDave
OP CeeDave Senior Member • Posts: 2,208
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

Rod McD wrote:

Hi Chris,

I've come to this thread late and you appear to have lots of advice..... but here goes. FWIW, I can't afford the Fuji 80mm, and it has rather poor working distances anyway (because it's a short-ish IF lens).

The cheapest way to get 1:1 with a Fuji camera is to adapt a legacy macro lens. There are some that go to 1:1 (such as the Tamron 90/2.8 Models 172E and 272E, some Sigma and Tokina ATX 100/2.8 models or a Nikon 105/2.8D (to get one with the essential aperture ring).

Or, buy an older legacy lens that goes to 1:2 and to 1:1 with its dedicated extension tube (such as the Nikon AIS 105/2.8 or 105/4, Minolta MD 100/4, Canon FD 100/4, Pentax 100/4, 90/2.8, etc). The 1:2 models are a little older and cost a lot less. Just make sure you get one that's being sold with the matched 1:1 tube. You can buy them for the price of two Fuji extension tubes. I wouldn't worry too much about IQ - macro lenses were always amongst the sharpest lenses you could buy. And in macro, technique and lighting matter a lot more than the glass.

I'm very happy with my MD 100/4 and life size matched tube. If I'd had a bit more cash at the time I'd have probably opted for the Nikon 100/2.8D because it goes to 1:1 by itself. I didn't, and the Minolta has worked out fine. A nice thing about it is that it has very low CAs...

If you decide on longer than 100/105mm, the options are few. You must have an aperture ring, so discounting early Canikon 200mm lenses, there's the Tamron 180/3.5 or the same spec'd lens from Sigma, but neither are cheap. And there's the much earlier and smaller Sigma 180/5.6 Apo Macro. They aren't dear, but they're hard to find. I have one and it works very well, with zero CAs, but it's optimised for macro and isn't brilliant for distance focusing.

If you want even longer, there's the Sigma "Apo Tele Macro" 300/4 and 400/5.6. Very good lenses, that focus to about 1:3 at long range. You'd need one in Pentax or Nikon mount to get the AR. Note the name. These are different from Sigma's early Apo Tele's with 'macro'. Chalk and cheese. The wording has to be exact and the filter size is 77mm, where the others are 72mm.

Happy hunting.

Cheers, Rod

Rod, thanks. This speaks to my needed mag and working distance. I have a Nikon adapter along with a Pentaxish M42, so those possibilities are slightly preferred. I’ll look into the others, too. Thanks again.

-- hide signature --

Chris
A couple of Fuji cameras and assorted X-mount and adapted primes

 CeeDave's gear list:CeeDave's gear list
Fujifilm X-E2 Fujifilm X-H1 Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +12 more
CeeDave
OP CeeDave Senior Member • Posts: 2,208
Re: Best long macro for X? Cost *is* an object!

jtr27 wrote:

Another fine legacy lens, pricier than some perhaps, but perhaps also one of the best, and not just as a macro lens: the Tokina AT-X 90mm F2.5 (aka "Bokina.") It can do 1:2 as is, and 1:1 with a dedicated adapter.

Check out the detailed review including spectacular sample images at:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review/

Thanks, I’ll check it.

-- hide signature --

Chris
A couple of Fuji cameras and assorted X-mount and adapted primes

 CeeDave's gear list:CeeDave's gear list
Fujifilm X-E2 Fujifilm X-H1 Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +12 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads