X100S "haziness" at close focal range

Hey all, was using "macro" mode on the X100S for the first time taking pictures of an X-T2 body that I'm selling. I noticed that at close focal ranges, the images are basically unusable due to a "haziness" in their appearance. This only seems to affect really close focus, but it's bad enough that I feel it may be an issue with my camera specifically because I can't imagine them advertising a "macro" feature if this is the result. It's not just the increased DOF - there's definitely something else happening. I know this is an older camera but it's new to me, and I'm curious if anywhere here also has one and can see if it's this bad on theirs. Was looking forward to having such a tiny cam to quick sale listing shots like this, but I guess it's not the end of the world if I can't use it for that!

Here is the first photo where I began to notice it...

And then any closer to the minimum focusing distance the image basically isn't usable at all. Look at the "view mode" text for a pretty clear example of what I'm talking about.

This is simply a characteristic of these cameras, from the original X100 to the X100F. Do a bit of Googling and you will see this claim repeated over and over again.

I inherited and quickly sold an X100s for this exact reason. Very hazy close-up, especially wide open.

The X100V has an upgraded lens which has apparently corrected this problem by a good margin.

I recall reading somewhere that Fuji once tried to pass it off as a "classic soft-focus" feature?

Either way, the X100V's Mark II lens cleans that up nicely. There's still a bitin certain situations like strong backlighting but you won't notice unless you're a dirty pixel-peeper like me

ChrisLovesUgly wrote:

Set your aperture to F4 or higher when working at macro distances, that should clean it right up.

I agree completely. The softness disappears at f4 or at about 4 ft. Easy to remember.

As others adviced, close shots should by done at f4 minimum, better f5.6. Personally I do it anyway due to too shallow DoF at faster apertures when close focused.

Yes, as others have pointed out. Stopping down will lessen or eliminate the "haziness".

Macro with my X100S