Fujinon 80mm f2.8 macro -- BEST macro lens EVER?

[@sclogse1]

The zeiss 120mm macro made for Contax was considered the gold standard for macro. Especially shooting chrome. And bugs. A real 3 dimensionality to the imagery.

[@cris_photography]

Nice! Got to try one and see ;) thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@MorningNapalm]

I had that lens some years ago and have to agree, I had a really hard time selling the system because of this lens, and the 35mm. Eventually I did move on though. The GF120mm is also phenomenal.

[@Optidorf]

A a matter a fact a lot of photographers are complaining about this lens as a portrait lens because it's _too_ sharp for portraits and pictures are not always flattering. Also not everyone is a fan of the swirley bokeh. I've purchased this lens exclusively for macro photography and I must say I'm quite happy with it. I'm probably one of the most impatient people when it comes to capturing nature for macro photography but it goes really well with this lens. The autofocus is very effective and the reason why I bought this lens. When you want value for money the Laowa 65mm macro lens is probably a much better deal. I don't know if the tip of stopping to f/11 is really useful. Although the lens has a terrific IOS system it's recommended to have a shutter time of at least 1/125th of a second. Stopping down to f/11 makes this pretty much impossible unless you crank up the ISO to pretty extreme values. I try to avoid anything higher than ISO 800 with a maximum of ISO 6400 if there's no way around. Above this makes image quality unacceptable in my humble opnion. Still decent, but very grainy.

[@slackreviews]

Which fuji camera do you have? Some have lower noise at ISO 800 than ISO 400. I do understand that in macro super sharp images without noise are ideal whereas in street photography grain is acceptable and in some circumstances preferred.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the feedback and user experience, appreciated

[@AndysCuts]

Nice video. I’m thinking about getting a 60mm macro. I’m shooting more products shots that are more stabled. I’m afraid it won’t be sharp. Do you have any experience with the 60mm?

[@cris_photography]

Hey Andy, thanks for stopping by. To be honest I tested it (the 60mm) when it came out 8 years ago but didn’t do much with it. I was not that amazed with it though mainly in terms of focusing speed. However, if you are going to do still product shots it might as well do. Fuji has great lenses so I would trust that. Now, there are a bunch of third party manual macro lenses out there that might work better for your type of work, you might wanna check it out before you buy. Take care

[@AndysCuts]

Cris Photography thank you for your reply? Which 3rd party ones are you referring to?

[@AndysCuts]

Cris Photography actually, the Artisan 60mm looks good. It’s only $150

[@mr.g1123]

Great review. How is this lens different to the 80mm 1.7? Is the difference that significant in your opinion? Thanks!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! Are you referring to the GF 80mm f1.7? If so, I haven't tested it so I could not tell you. But that is a different system (X vs GFX) which means you won't have the same focal length, aperture, etc. Take care

[@UnclaimedClock]

Great review, just ordered this lens, I’m excited!

[@cris_photography]

Nice!! Enjoy Chris 😉

[@nickfanzo]

It’s my favorite fuji lens

[@cris_photography]

Awesome!

[@roguesodyssey]

I've had my eye on this lens for a hot minute. Thanks for the info!!

[@cris_photography]

Glad I could be of some help - take care

[@robertoalfalla256]

Thank you! Excellent review. What do you think for Food? I also have the 56mm 1.2

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Roberto. I love the 56mm too - it’s probably my favorite lens of all times. As for food, to be honest I don’t really shoot much of it, but I’d either go with the 56 or the 23f1.4. Take care 😉

[@robertoalfalla256]

@@cris_photography Thanks .. have both... will do.

[@pclement2972]

Hi :) nice video and thanks for the content A little question, are you based in Switzerland, I feel like I recognize the place :)

[@cris_photography]

Hello! Thanks and yes - Switzerland based! 😉 take care

[@hangtalantrio5822]

Cris, thank you for your review, that was very detailed. I'd like to share my experience with this lens related to videoshooting - this is what I was trying to do with it (on an X-T3), and I was quite disappointed to see, that autofocus tracked very slowly when panning and going from a near object to a more distant one. Very slow means something like 20 seconds. --> twenty! I asked Fuji Aftersales Switzerland (yes, I am Swiss based too), and I was told that this lens has an OLM motor and is not qualified for videography. I am no professional photographer - so maybe my expectations are just too high?

[@cris_photography]

Hello, cool another Swiss based Fuji shooter :) In terms of video, tbh I never tried it with my XT3 or 4 but I don’t think - based on the use I had of it - that it is good for video in AF mode. I’d rather get a manual macro lens @f16 or so and manually focus - that will make it WAY faster. I normally shoot my videos with my GH5 and GH5s setup so cannot tell you more unfortunately, but I believe you when you say it was that slow! Hope this can help and take care!

[@bronzehawk3646]

i have a question i never used a macro lens so i dont know about which focal length is good for it for example fuji new 30mm macro came out and this 80mm macro how does the focal length effect the macro shots does 80mil zooms in more and 30 mil provides less magnified shots i want to know that so i could choose the right macro lens for me thanks in advance

[@cris_photography]

Thanks. All lenses (macro or not) vary magnification with focal length. Now, at the same distance from an object, the 80mm makes the object about twice as big as the 33mm lens would. Appropriately, if both lenses allow you to move in closely and focus sharply, the 80mm lens would allow you to get a 1:1 magnification without having to move in as closely to the object. So yes, different focal length will make a difference - in terms of distance to the object and magnification. Take care

[@bronzehawk3646]

@@cris_photography oh yes so I was thinking right 80mm will provide more close ups than 33mil macro, I was just wondering if it's not the case in macro bur it is thanks alot 🤎

[@HolonicHD]

Hi I have a quick question. If I use the XT4, would the OIS on the lens even matter? Will the OIS on both the camera and lens work together or only the camera one would work even when a OIS lens is used?

[@cris_photography]

Hello, yes the OIS of the lens should make it even more stable. However, using a non-stabilized lens should work too since the IBIS of the XT4 is great. Cheers

[@nikkiwinston6814]

hi do you think for scanning 35 mm negatives I should be at f5.6 or f8?

[@cris_photography]

I’d go with f8 👍🏼

[@Tomoldchannel]

How does it compare to the Laowa 65 mm ?

[@cris_photography]

EXCELLENT question! Unfortunately I don’t own the Laowa - if anyone knows and cares to share I’d like to know too!

[@Tomoldchannel]

@@cris_photography Yep. Same vs the xf 90 mm. SInce the 80 and 65 can also be used for portraits

[@maqdesy]

Is it true that if you shake it or turn it ubside down you feel that some part inside it moves?

[@cris_photography]

I didn’t have that problem on mine

[@frankmenkel8329]

Hi Cris. I have a question: Can one do focus stacking in macro mode with the 80mm lens? I have the extension tube, but the focus stacking does not work with the extension tube? Is this correct, or am I missing some settings in the camera?

[@Rocks-and-minerals]

After my Laowa 65 mm macro broke I reverted to using my MCEX-11 extension tube along with the Fuji 18-55 and 55-200 zoom lenses mounted on XH-1 as a work-around. (I primarily shoot mineral and fossil specimens in a controlled environment.) I shoot on a macro stage, use Capture 1 for image processing and Helicon Focus 7 for stacking. My experience is that you need to shoot in manual mode at a very narrow depth of field with incremental advancement of the lens towards the subject with the macro stage. Keep in mind I am shooting very small gemstone-like objects that require careful staging of light.

[@cris_photography]

Hello Frank, thank you for this very good question and I need to try! In believe it should be doable but I’d have to try that. Cheers

[@stephanerainsard2916]

Hi, Seems a beast in dimensions and spec. I went for the 60mm after I read improvement in autofocus on the latest bodies. It still hunts for focus, so definitely not as good as new lenses, time will tell if this was an issue. I also choose the 60mm for the following reasons: - versatility - small form factor. - broken - focal lens on an x-pro3, still within what can be used with the OVF. As I am interested in macro, but not yet sure to invest in dedicated lenses, so the 1:2 ratio is not a deal breaker. For situation where I need autofocus or WR I go with the 35mm F2. Maybe I should have selected a 50mm F2 and the adapter ring... We'll see. Nice video as usual. Stephane

[@nickfanzo]

Get the 80 it’s way better, and in macro every mm counts

[@cris_photography]

Thanks a lot for this long message and all the info and data! Sorry for my (very) long delay on answering! Take care

[@SnackAttack6]

But auto focus only saves in jpeg? Great review!!

[@cris_photography]

Hello 👋🏼, no no it also saves in RAW when AF. Cheers

[@SnackAttack6]

Cris Photography I’m not sure how and would love to know how? When ever I place the lens into auto it only saves in JPEG, how do I it get to shoot in raw please? And thank you

[@SnackAttack6]

Cris Photography it doesn’t Chris, I contacted Fuji support team to ask, they said when it is in Auto regardless of what lens is on the camera it will only save in JPEG. So please if you know how it can be saved in RAW please share, thanks

[@cris_photography]

Hey Debbie, thanks. Not sure i understand fully. Please send me an email to [e-mail] so you can give me all the data and I can see how to help better. Am SURE this can be solved. Thanks 😊

[@SnackAttack6]

Cris Photography you have been a great help Chris, thank you

[@cobrakill4636]

The shots don't do this lens justice...

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the feedback

[@sherkhan-up2vc]

It’s good but nikkor 105 is way better than that i think. btw you take very nice pictures.

[@cris_photography]

Hey thanks for stopping by! Will have to give it a try 😉 take care

[@xd3adliftx]

Resurrecting a dead thread but I have the new Nikon 105mm z mount already and I’m picking up the 80mm Fuji tomorrow so I’m definitely interested in checking it out

[@raghuldeva6574]

I'm 😊101 to like

[@cris_photography]

Cool 😎

[@audiocalls2822]

Picture quality looks like hot garbage

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the feedback

[@JkWk]

My phone takes much better and closer macro photos

[@NathenDanforth]

No

[@4Kandlez]

Your phone must be extra smart if it can use a camera

[@cris_photography]

Ok! What phone are you using? Am curious Cheers

[@jaewhayim6548]

감사합니다 korea

[@cris_photography]

😉