How terrible is the 60mm AF?

Some background: I have a sigma 105mm macro from back when I used Nikon and I LOVED this lens. Nice field of view and very fast AF, and a focus range limit switch. This was in fact the only lens I didnt't sell when I sold all my other Nikon stuff.

What I am contemplating now is to get the fuji 60mm instead. I am intrigued by the small size  as a general walkaround lens and the versatility to do macro shots as well. The only thing holding me back is that every review mentions the horrible AF speed on this lens. What are your experiences? Are there any better options?

Spot on.  I used it for a long time for close ups of wild plants.  On my X-M1 it was a pain.  Upgraded to an X-E2 it was perfectly OK.  Optically very good too.

It's a nice compact lens (with a big hood!) & the AF is decent on the newer bodies but as you probably know, it's not a true macro (1:2).

laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x macro (2:1) would be an alternative but it's manual focus. I've been thinking about picking this one up actually...might be worth a look.

Bolothegreat wrote:

It's a nice compact lens (with a big hood!) & the AF is decent on the newer bodies but as you probably know, it's not a true macro (1:2).

laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x macro (2:1) would be an alternative but it's manual focus. I've been thinking about picking this one up actually...might be worth a look.

I am not so concerned with 1:1. The 60mm coupled with the 16mm extension tube which I already own would reach a magnification of 0.76 if needed. Taking into consideration the crop factor, I would reach a magnification similar to 1:1 on full frame which is sufficient for me.

The Laowa is also interesting but wouldn't be as useful as a general purpose lens since it's quite a bit bigger and no AF.

Papegoye wrote:

Some background: I have a sigma 105mm macro from back when I used Nikon and I LOVED this lens. Nice field of view and very fast AF, and a focus range limit switch. This was in fact the only lens I didnt't sell when I sold all my other Nikon stuff.

What I am contemplating now is to get the fuji 60mm instead. I am intrigued by the small size as a general walkaround lens and the versatility to do macro shots as well. The only thing holding me back is that every review mentions the horrible AF speed on this lens. What are your experiences? Are there any better options?

On a recent body (e.g. the X-T3, X-T4, or X-Pro3) you can use the AF range limiter to prevent the 60mm from focusing closer than either one of the preset distances (2 or 5 metres) or else a custom distance you dial in. In my experience it works very well with the 60mm. On my X-T3 (latest firmware) with the 5m-to-infinity option selected, the 60mm feels like it focuses as quickly as a Fujicron. The combination of the limiter and the improved focusing capabilities of the recent cameras certainly makes a difference.

[Edit] You can assign the focus range limiter function to your FN button (or some other) for quick access.

I bought the 60mm for the same reason you mention in your second paragraph, as a walk around lens with the ability to focus much closer than a standard prime. It not being a true macro doesn't matter to me. My only criticism of the 60mm is that my copy seems to render with a very slight magenta cast, but this is so easily corrected that it's not anything to get worked up about.

Not terrible at all and really quite good with XT3 and all last FW

Not good for sport but perfectly effective for stills

I enterely second your post

Bob

notchy wrote:

Papegoye wrote:

Some background: I have a sigma 105mm macro from back when I used Nikon and I LOVED this lens. Nice field of view and very fast AF, and a focus range limit switch. This was in fact the only lens I didnt't sell when I sold all my other Nikon stuff.

What I am contemplating now is to get the fuji 60mm instead. I am intrigued by the small size as a general walkaround lens and the versatility to do macro shots as well. The only thing holding me back is that every review mentions the horrible AF speed on this lens. What are your experiences? Are there any better options?

On a recent body (e.g. the X-T3, X-T4, or X-Pro3) you can use the AF range limiter to prevent the 60mm from focusing closer than either one of the preset distances (2 or 5 metres) or else a custom distance you dial in. In my experience it works very well with the 60mm. On my X-T3 (latest firmware) with the 5m-to-infinity option selected, the 60mm feels like it focuses as quickly as a Fujicron. The combination of the limiter and the improved focusing capabilities of the recent cameras certainly makes a difference.

[Edit] You can assign the focus range limiter function to your FN button (or some other) for quick access.

I bought the 60mm for the same reason you mention in your second paragraph, as a walk around lens with the ability to focus much closer than a standard prime. It not being a true macro doesn't matter to me. My only criticism of the 60mm is that my copy seems to render with a very slight magenta cast, but this is so easily corrected that it's not anything to get worked up about.

This is very useful info thanks. I was not aware that focus range limiter was a function of the camera. It seems to be an option on my X-T30 as well. My fn-button is always taken for choosing film simulation recipe, but I suppose I could dedicate one of my custom modes for macro.

Edit: Based on the online manual it doesn't seem to be possible to put AF range limit in the Q menu. Is this true?

Many reviews of the 60mm. date from when that lens was first introduced. That means usually the lens was reviewed on the only then available body: the X-Pro 1. And while that was a really gorgeous camera with many then unique features, it was (a) not exactly renowned for having blisteringly fast Af and (b) not the most ideal body for macro shots.

On my X-Pro 1, the 60mm. was slow to focus and awkward to use. Then I got an X-T1 and it already became much more fun to use. Now, on my X-H1 and X-Pro 2 it's a joy to work with. Sharp, very precise and fast enough AF and beautiful rendition of colour and pleasing bokeh. I'd highly recommend it!

Papegoye wrote:

notchy wrote:

Papegoye wrote:

Some background: I have a sigma 105mm macro from back when I used Nikon and I LOVED this lens. Nice field of view and very fast AF, and a focus range limit switch. This was in fact the only lens I didnt't sell when I sold all my other Nikon stuff.

What I am contemplating now is to get the fuji 60mm instead. I am intrigued by the small size as a general walkaround lens and the versatility to do macro shots as well. The only thing holding me back is that every review mentions the horrible AF speed on this lens. What are your experiences? Are there any better options?

On a recent body (e.g. the X-T3, X-T4, or X-Pro3) you can use the AF range limiter to prevent the 60mm from focusing closer than either one of the preset distances (2 or 5 metres) or else a custom distance you dial in. In my experience it works very well with the 60mm. On my X-T3 (latest firmware) with the 5m-to-infinity option selected, the 60mm feels like it focuses as quickly as a Fujicron. The combination of the limiter and the improved focusing capabilities of the recent cameras certainly makes a difference.

[Edit] You can assign the focus range limiter function to your FN button (or some other) for quick access.

I bought the 60mm for the same reason you mention in your second paragraph, as a walk around lens with the ability to focus much closer than a standard prime. It not being a true macro doesn't matter to me. My only criticism of the 60mm is that my copy seems to render with a very slight magenta cast, but this is so easily corrected that it's not anything to get worked up about.

This is very useful info thanks. I was not aware that focus range limiter was a function of the camera. It seems to be an option on my X-T30 as well. My fn-button is always taken for choosing film simulation recipe, but I suppose I could dedicate one of my custom modes for macro.

Edit: Based on the online manual it doesn't seem to be possible to put AF range limit in the Q menu. Is this true?

This seems to be the case, I'm afraid. However, you can add it to "My Menu" (at least this is so with the X-T3).

I own the 2.4/60 since it has been released, until 1 year ago I even continued shooting with the very first X-E1 !

the optical quality is simply amazing for such a light, little and not so expensive lens.

i like this lens still a lot, because ....

- it is equally (very) sharp from the venter to the corners, as even confimed by objectiv MTF-charts. Even full open!

- it has a really WONDERFUL Bokeh and is therefore as good for Macro as it is for Portrait.

- it has nearly ZERO problems with light coming directly onto the lens and less than no problems with light from the side. This leads to nearly zero use of the big metal hood, also because the lens is well protected and so in a better position. Thus you have even more free space for close-up Macros and less problems with the light on your object.

I still love this fine lens a lot.

As for the AF:

you can imagine, that the first years on a X-E 1 this lens was not terrible, no seriuos problems with AF (if enough light exists) - but surely NOT a lens for Sports, dogs etc.

BUT: Fujifilm upgraded seriously its firmware for BOTH, the X-Cameras AND the kens itself.

now I have a X-E3 and I can assure you that the AF of the 2,4/60 has enormously advanced, there is just a little, irrelevant bit of delay of its velocity, but the advanced AF sensoring on the new cameras Sensors and fast prozessors lead to VERY satisfying handling for photography AND thus the precision is very good. I had the impression, that it helps a lot NOT to chose a very small field if you use selective one-point AF in camera. Chosing a bigger field makes the combination faster and more precise.

that being said... the AF of the 2.4/60 is now nearly 10 years old - you can advance as much as possible by the wonderful new AF in-camera and upgrade firmwares of both, the lens and the camera - but not overcome the technical limits of an older AF mechanism in that lens.

so - YES, this lens is wonderful optically and it is absolutely sufficient for normal photography - I can nothing but recommend it. This lens is absolutely underrated!

the downsides: no OIS (now compensated by IBIS, so no problem) and it makes some noise - but that is acceptable as long as long as you dont shoot in churches or so.

give it a try - you can either start to love it as we do - or sell it for the same price - I have the impression that there is more and more demand of this lens on the 2nd hand market..

@ valdei21

You can neither compare AF performance of the old ,4/35 nor the 2.4/60 on the old X-E1 or X-E2 with the performance on a X-3 or X-E 4!

the problems at the time of these old X-Kameras was NOT the lens itself, bit the AF performance of the bodies ITSELF!

I could make the PROOF, because these old lenses work now much better than before on my X-E3.

YES, you can still hear the AF, but the AF is less loud because on new bodies the signal of the body to the lens is more precise. So: less pumping compared with use on the old bodies.

But only the wonderful bokeh and the exceptional optical quality throughout the whole image easily overweights this nowadays irrelevant „problem“...

the X-E1 had a „macro“ button for limiting focus range, this was a good feature to reduce  AF-pumping on the X-E1.

would have been better to install this button on the lens, because this button (with a tulip on it) was later abandoned by Fuji.

so, you have to go now in the sheets of the LCD to block or release the focus range in Macro mode.

Not nice, but I can live with this.

Cheers

Valdai21 wrote:

I really wanted to buy this lens but I had the chance to use it for a week before and I found AF horrible. Noisy, pumping and useless for macro. I went for a fully manual lens instead since it feels better than the 60mm in manual mode. However, this was on an old camera, I don't remember if it was X-E2 or even X-E1. It has probably been improved on newer bodies but I think it may be Fuji's worst AF performance. For instance 18mm f/2 is okay, 35mm f/1,4 is audible and not fast on older bodies but it's precise.

On the X-Pro2 and X-H1 it will sometimes hunt through the entire focus range and its motor is very audible (just like that of other macro lenses I've used from other manufacturers in the past), but on the X-T3 with the focus limiter engaged it's really fast and you barely hear the focus motor, it's just a very quick "tick" and it's locked on.

I don't find it noisier or less precise than the 18mm f2. My copy's motor sounds more refined than that of my 18mm and its aperture blades are noticeably quieter.

I wrote in my reply to the OP below that limiting the 60mm to 5m-to-infinity really speeds up the focusing. In fact, you don't need to limit it that much, 2m-to-infinity brings pretty much the same performance gains. I'm not able to conduct experiments now, but using the custom limit setting, it may well be possible to limit the range much less and still get very decent performance without the risk of it ever deciding to run through the full focus range. Dunno. Will test it when I'm in a position to do so (perhaps others here have already tested?)

As for it being useless for macro shots, well, we've all got our own metrics. I took this shot of a green crab spider (~2cm across including legs, handheld/braced, non-stabilised camera) on my first outing with the lens. The shot wouldn't satisfy the likes of Gilles san Martin, I'm sure, but as a very light and relatively compact walk-around lens with great image quality and decent close up ability, it provides a lot of possibilities.

You've already got a lot of replies here, but I'd like to add my 2 cents 

I use the 60mm on my X-T2 and I really enjoy it. It's one of my favorite lenses to use. I enjoy the rendering, it's very sharp and produces beautiful colors.

As for the AF, it works just fine for a walkabout/portrait lens. It's very accurate, makes some noise but not overly loud, and quick enough. I'd compare it to my 35 1.4, if you have one. For macro the AF doesn't work that great, but I don't think many people use AF for macro work, I certainly don't.

I used this lens to shoot track sports events during the London Olympics back in 2012 on an XPro1! Zero issues with it.

Eventually sold it, as I didn't use the macro capabilities much and found that I mostly use the wider focal lengths.

notchy wrote:

Valdai21 wrote:

I really wanted to buy this lens but I had the chance to use it for a week before and I found AF horrible. Noisy, pumping and useless for macro. I went for a fully manual lens instead since it feels better than the 60mm in manual mode. However, this was on an old camera, I don't remember if it was X-E2 or even X-E1. It has probably been improved on newer bodies but I think it may be Fuji's worst AF performance. For instance 18mm f/2 is okay, 35mm f/1,4 is audible and not fast on older bodies but it's precise.

On the X-Pro2 and X-H1 it will sometimes hunt through the entire focus range and its motor is very audible (just like that of other macro lenses I've used from other manufacturers in the past), but on the X-T3 with the focus limiter engaged it's really fast and you barely hear the focus motor, it's just a very quick "tick" and it's locked on.

I don't find it noisier or less precise than the 18mm f2. My copy's motor sounds more refined than that of my 18mm and its aperture blades are noticeably quieter.

I wrote in my reply to the OP below that limiting the 60mm to 5m-to-infinity really speeds up the focusing. In fact, you don't need to limit it that much, 2m-to-infinity brings pretty much the same performance gains. I'm not able to conduct experiments now, but using the custom limit setting, it may well be possible to limit the range much less and still get very decent performance without the risk of it ever deciding to run through the full focus range. Dunno. Will test it when I'm in a position to do so (perhaps others here have already tested?)

As for it being useless for macro shots, well, we've all got our own metrics. I took this shot of a green crab spider (~2cm across including legs, handheld/braced, non-stabilised camera) on my first outing with the lens. The shot wouldn't satisfy the likes of Gilles san Martin, I'm sure, but as a very light and relatively compact walk-around lens with great image quality and decent close up ability, it provides a lot of possibilities.

very, very nice shot!
and a good proof for its optical quality.

cheers

Papegoye wrote:

Some background: I have a sigma 105mm macro from back when I used Nikon and I LOVED this lens. Nice field of view and very fast AF, and a focus range limit switch. This was in fact the only lens I didnt't sell when I sold all my other Nikon stuff.

What I am contemplating now is to get the fuji 60mm instead. I am intrigued by the small size as a general walkaround lens and the versatility to do macro shots as well. The only thing holding me back is that every review mentions the horrible AF speed on this lens. What are your experiences? Are there any better options?

First of all...the 60mm is not a true macro lens...even though the moniker is carried in its title.  It isn't capable of a 1:1 ratio between the subject and the sensor.  Buy the 80mm if you want an actual macro lens.

Papegoye wrote:

Bolothegreat wrote:

It's a nice compact lens (with a big hood!) & the AF is decent on the newer bodies but as you probably know, it's not a true macro (1:2).

laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x macro (2:1) would be an alternative but it's manual focus. I've been thinking about picking this one up actually...might be worth a look.

I am not so concerned with 1:1. The 60mm coupled with the 16mm extension tube which I already own would reach a magnification of 0.76 if needed. Taking into consideration the crop factor, I would reach a magnification similar to 1:1 on full frame which is sufficient for me.

The Laowa is also interesting but wouldn't be as useful as a general purpose lens since it's quite a bit bigger and no AF.

I don't find autofocus useful in a macro lens...unless you are shooting something other than macro subjects with it.