Fuji 60mm f/2.4 Macro - A Love & Hate Lens

[@dummatube]

When you focus closer to a small subject with ANY macro lens the internal optics are being moved further away from the sensor plane. This means that the sensor receives less light: look up “Light: Inverse square law”. At 1:1 magnification the image from the optics is 4 times dimmer or 2 f stops darker so a typical f/2.8 macro lens is only effectively f/5.6! This lens is displaying this ‘effective aperture’! It isn’t a fault it’s optical law :-)

[@DavidCuhls]

Thank you very much for watching and for kindly explaining the technical side, very much appreciated. That said, I am aware of the inverse square law and I am a lot of photographers that also takes to a certain extent a bit of macro shots will also have some ideas about it as well. However, I think where my wording in the video went wrong is when I mention that it was the optical flaw... But it's not... Because even as you get closer, it also affects the aperture blades and that is a behaviour that I haven't seen in other macro lenses from Fujifilm's professional macro lenses and macro lenses from brands like Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Tokina (at least in my experience). At first I thought that it was just my copy of the lens but after testing a few of my friends as well as going to the store and testing a brand new out of the box one, it really the lens "thing"... Don't get me wrong, the optical quality is still good but it's the aperture (blades) behaviour that surprised me a little based on my past experience... That said, thank you very much again for watching and also for putting the effort in the explanation, means a lot. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@rudolfhelder6570]

On the XT3 you can set AF Range Limiting, which prevents this lens from hunting through its entire range from macro to infinity. I don’t use it for macro, so I set it from 2m-infinity, which makes the lens much faster to focus.

[@philipcooper8297]

Thank you for the review. By the way, macro lenses are not about the close focus range, they are about the magnification. You actually want some space between the lens and the subject, so you do not obstruct the light. There are lenses on the market that would allow you to focus so close they warn you not to scratch the last element of the lens, but nobody really uses them this way.

[@ricknicholson5894]

Try setting your aperture and shutter speed and let your ISO float, when outside; this could help. Also my latest whiny thing about reviewers is I wish they would state what firmware version the lens they are using. Fuji did do some major firmware updates for the autofocusing issue, but because I don't know what version you are using, I don't know whether to take your critique on focusing speed that seriously. The latest version is 3.13 as of 25/5/2022.

[@DavidCuhls]

Thank you very much for you time and effort into the suggestion as well as for watching, very much appreciated. Regarding your suggestion, I have indeed tried that and still ends up with the same result. Further, I always keep all of my gear up to date with the latest firmware within about a week after the firmware is released, so you can be sure that the firmware I’ve used in the past videos have always been up to date as of the time of filming. Lastly, I am not a reviewer, I never really claim to be one. I only create these videos explaining about my experience with the gear and sharing my thoughts based on the way I shoot in case some people might find some of the points helpful… Although there is a noticeable improvement in the performance of some of the Fuji gear after the latest firmware, I have to say that it didn’t really change my main conclusion… I appreciate Fuji’s effort in always improving their gear with new “major” firmwares but when you’re working with other brands as well, Fuji still has a lot to catch up in my opinion based on how I like to use my gear… By the way, I think you meant April and not May… Thank you very much again for watching and also for your suggestion, really means a lot. I am deeply sorry that my content was not helpful to you… I will do my best to improve my future contents. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting.

[@ricknicholson5894]

@@DavidCuhls Your content was helpful, just I always wonder when something is being reviewed and it has issues that Fuji fixed, is it reflected in the review. I have the X T1 and it wasn't a decent camera when it was first release, then Fuji did its thing and turned it into a decent camera. With my Canon gear, I could own it for 15 years and Canon might have done one small update.

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

I know that this is an older video, do you have any experience with the new macro (xf30) and how does image quality compare to this lens.

[@DavidCuhls]

I haven't got a chance to use the new macro XF30mm yet, I am sorry. Thank you very much for watching though, really appreciated it. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@reboundk1ng]

A lens is called a macro lens not because of the minimum focus distance I think, it's the magnification ratio.

[@DavidCuhls]

But if it's only the magnification ratio, then technically most lenses with the same "macro" focal lengths would be a macro lens because most of those lenses would be able to project almost the same magnification to the sensor... And by saying that's the magnification ratio, this would make this lens less useful since many cheaper zoom lenses would cover the magnifying ratio of this lens, some of them would have sharper glass, better contrast control and more. Yes, magnification ratio is one of the factors that makes a macro lens a macro lens but so as the focus distance as well. And I just find it a bit frustrating that for the price range, the macro capability is only at it's bare minimum when many cheaper lenses from other manufacturers are able to perform better "macro" capabilities without it being labeled "macro"... I thank you very much for watching and also for commenting, really appreciated it. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@Sande1s]

@@DavidCuhls It sounds like you're confusing magnification ratio to field of view. Magnification ratio refers to the ratio at which the subject at minimum focus distance is projected onto the sensor or film. Raw minimum focus distance is meaningless for the "macro" designation, as the magnification ratio it provides is naturally dependent on focal length. I don't know of any "cheap zooms" that pull off 1:2 ratio, and it seems you're pretty majorly mistaken if you think a lot of cheap lenses from other manufacturers can do better. After magnification ratio, major important specs for a macro lenses are sharpness at minimum/near focus distances and (lack of) distortions.

[@johansphoto]

@@DavidCuhls The definition of a macro lens is a 1:1 magnification ratio. The minimum focus distance is irrelevant in this context, it depends on the focal length and the lens design. This particular lens is therefore not a true macro since it has a 1:2 magnification, but it has significantly higher magnification than an ordinary lens which usually is somewhere between 1:10-1:4. And since magnification levels are measured based on full frame you can in practise multiply it by 1,5 on APS-C when comparing image files side by side, so I very much doubt you have any full frame lens that comes close if it is not a dedicated macro. But lets not open the ff/aps-c can of worms.

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

Optically this is a beast, supposedly weak electronic contacts and thin wiring prone to failure.

[@danielschmaderer]

Compared to Nikon DSLR focusing while in live view, it’s definitely much more snappy when comparing the 2. So all macro lenses will adjust the closer you get to your subject. It’s the Nikon 40mm macro does the same thing. It’s an F/2.8, but when you get up really close to your subject, it’ll shrink to around F/4. I believe higher end macro lenses don’t do that. Since the Nikon 40mm macro is a true 1:1 macro lens, the Fuji 60mm only reproduces 1:2, so yeah, like you said, it’s not a true macro. Good observation on your end there. Great review. Thanks for helping me make my decision on buying this lens.

[@DavidCuhls]

Thank you for watching as well as for sharing your experience! Really much appreciated it. I am also glad that you found it helpful. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@josuealmaraz8997]

Would you recommend this to someone who is trying to find a good versatile prime lens? I’m coming from using an 18-55, and manual focus lenses adapted to my camera. I’m able to take some really nice pictures with the manual ficus lenses but having autofocus is kind of nice sometimes when I’m in a rush. But speeds and all the other technicalities like, chromatic aberration, or if it’s got vignetting aren’t really a huge factor for me. I really am happy with the glass Fuji makes, just want to make sure it’ll be a good purchase if I do get it.

[@DavidCuhls]

i think that this lens is generally a good lens and of course especially as an additional lens to your setup. The glass in general delivers really sharp results with great contrast. However, as a second lens and especially a versatile prime lens, I would have to recommend something more on the line of 35mm f/2.0, 23mm f/2.0 or the 16mm f/2.0. I personally think the choice between those lenses makes a bit more sense and you can use them in more situations than the 60mm macro. Furthermore, those lenses will focus more accurately than the 60mm as well as generally just as sharp with weather sealing too. :-) Those lenses will also focus closely should you wish you and they are much lighter allowing you to just carry them to more places as well. But that's just my opinion and if you really like the 60mm focal range, then the 60mm macro lens is still a great lens that will not disappoint. I hope that helped a little. I thank you very much for watching, I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@terrypriest6471]

good video. Is there any way to convert the minimum 26.5 cm from the sensor plane to the distance from the front of the lens? on an xt2 for instance.

[@trowawayacc]

The real question is will you use this vs a laowa 65mm?

[@seyirvarseyiricinde]

Hello, Does it make sense to attach an extension tube to my 56mm 1.2 lens I use now or buy a 60mm f 2.4. Thank you

[@MatthewChartrand]

I think the way you talk about macro is a bit misguided. You talk about the 16mm having a closer focusing distance, but macro is really more about reproduction ratio. Of course a wider lens will focus at a closer distance, but the subject will still be smaller in the frame than with the 60mm half macro.

[@DavidCuhls]

Hi, thank you for pointing it out, I totally understand your point and I will do my best to improve my future contents. Regarding the wider focal length as a comparison, I kind of failed to bring along my point and I know that they are both completely different lenses with different designs. However, the other reason I compared it with the wider focal length that can focus closer is because I am also coming from a background working with other brands such as Canon and Nikon mainly.. And to those brands, even their most entry level macro lenses (which cost less) will be able to focus closer with a bonus of a much more constant as well as reliable aperture setting than the Fuji 60mm macro... And that's where I got a little bit confused at the time as well about this particular lens... And I am deeply sorry for that... Thank you again for pointing it out and also for watching, really appreciated it. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting. :-)

[@momchilyordanov8190]

I hate when they label something MACRO and it's not. This has 0.5x magnification. This is "semi-macro" or whatever. But macro it is not.

[@r35p3ct00]

sure, laowa 65 real macro

[@josevera8847]

I can testify that Mr Deito is telling the truth the Loawa is 2x better.

[@REMY.C.]

Really really good, really nice, really really fast, really really light... Thanks a lot for this really really good review 😂 really really helps to make a choice about this lens. Pictures are nice.

[@DavidCuhls]

I am sorry that I said "really" too often, thank you for the feedback though and I will do my best to improve my future videos. I am glad you found the video helpful though and thank you very much for watching. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@REMY.C.]

@@DavidCuhls Don't be sorry, it made me smile, I was teasing, it must be hard to be in front of a camera. The video was insightful and opinion was genuine, it's the most important thing.

[@VinceDae]

Please name 1 zoom lens on Sony that can do 0.5 magnification:D

[@MorningNapalm]

Frequency of words used, from most to least: - Really really - Really - Everything else :)

[@leandroo.k.4457]

Thanks for the great video! Unsolicited feedback, I just don't like how much you really really use really really. But other than that, a GREAT video.

[@DavidCuhls]

Thank you very much for watching and for the kind words, very much appreciated it. I am deeply sorry about saying it too many times, I will do my best to improve myself in my future contents, thank you very much for the suggestion. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting :-)

[@danielfulop]

so what's a better option for macro on fuji?

[@DavidCuhls]

I would recommend the Fuji XF 80mm f/2.8 Macro more if you are considering taking macro shots with the Fujifilm system. The lens has much better optics with very consistent performance. Furthermore, the contrast control as well as the colour rendition of that lens is much better in my experience. Sure, it is a little bit more expensive but if you it's really worth it on the long run. On the long run, the flaws of the 60mm macro is just too much when working whereas the 80mm works as it should. Hope that helps a little. Thank you so much for watching, I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@hoverboverer]

Or buy an old manual focus macro lens for a lot less hard-earned.

[@hoverboverer]

@Br So :-) Where do I find one?

[@josevera8847]

A diopter on a good lens is better. Again this is not a macro lens, plus is to expensive

[@My_secret_garden]

Спасибо!

[@joshuachubbphotography]

In Aperture Priority the camera is set to what ever the aperture is set to on the lens........ at least that's how its supposed to be.

[@DavidCuhls]

Theoretically speaking yes, but with the Fuji 60mm f/2.4, that’s not the case... if you get close to the minimum focusing distance, the lens does not allow you to use f/2.4. At I thought it was a fault of my copy until I tested other copies of the lens as well as some of my viewers sent me a message confirming about the behaviour of the lens... So I am sorry to say that the lens does not stay of f/2.4 in at all scenarios even when you set it to aperture priority

[@dummatube]

Don’t do it! You will ruin the metering! This is a macro lens and like any optic the true aperture is measured when it is focussed at infinity. As you focus closer the internal optics are being moved further away from the image sensor and the light falls off. The lens is telling you, and the camera body, what your ‘effective aperture’ is at any focussing distance! It’s a feature not a flaw!

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Really really good

[@DavidCuhls]

Haha, thank you, I am glad you liked it. :-) I am deeply sorry about saying "really" too many time, I will do my best to improve in my future contents. Thank you very much for watching, I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@jerometanguay8375]

How do you set it on manual focus?

[@DavidCuhls]

There is a switch in front of the camera between manual focus, auto focus, continuous autofocus. (it's usually in front of the camera on the bottom right (front view). Hope that helps a bit. Thank you so much for watching, I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@josevera8847]

Is miracle that focus at all

[@josevera8847]

Such a high price and they can put a piece of rubber. The Nisi 58 diopter give me better result for a fraction of the price. The lens socks don't get confused it socks. The loawa is 2x better and cost have.

[@DavidCuhls]

Yeah, I too think that the price is way too high for what it is… That said for the price, it is a very sharp lens with little colour fringing and really good contrast controls, especially compare to the competition/third party offerings. But for macro work, adapting canon APSC macro lens would be so much better in my opinion…. Thank you very much for watching and also for sharing your thoughts/experience, really appreciate it. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting!:-)

[@photohiker81]

Check out this video for fixing the apature issu: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4bHYX19gdCAmrM

[@DavidCuhls]

Hi Christ, thank you for the suggest, I have just checked out the video. However, the problem is kind of different. What I am experiencing is more of a limitation that the manufacture set for the lens rather than the issue. I am aware of the issue since a couple of my friends also have the same issue as addressed in the video... But thank you very much for your time and effort in the research and providing me with the finding. Very much appreciated. I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting. :-)

[@marlenelandstravels]

Can you use it for portrait as the poor man version of the 56mm. I don’t care for macro tbh

[@DavidCuhls]

You can actually use it for portraits since you the focal length actually gives a nice compression thus a bit nice bokeh. :-) That said, if you don't mind going third party, the Viltrox 56mm 1.4 is a good alternative to the Fuji 56mm. The Viltrox is of course less sharp and has a tiny bit more colour fringing but it's only very slightly behind the Fuji's 56mm counterpart. Hope that helps. :-) Thank you very much for watching, I wish you a great time, stay safe and have fun shooting! :-)

[@Digitographer88]

Way too many " reallys"

[@DavidCuhls]

I am sorry for saying “really” too many time. Thank you for watching and also for your suggestion, I will do my best to improve my future content. I wish you a good time, stay safe and have fun shooting.