Maybe some things people want to know: - The bokeh is quite swirley, like the old Soviet Helios-44 lenses - It can be mounted with the 1.4x teleconverter (and I assume the 2x teleconverter) to extend focal length - The _wobbly_ character of the lens is due to floating elements that are kept in place by magnets. I own the lens myself and I bought it myself as it's the only macro lens on a Fuji system with autofocus which is pretty damn handy for macro photography (although the rules dictate you should do manual focusing on a macro lens..). The Laowa 65mm macro (with two times magnification) is probably better value for money for Fuji systems, but only comes with manual focus.
i have this lense and the 1.4x converter. you lose 1 stop so F4 and you have to be further (wich can be good sometimes but you don't gain on magnification)
I can attest to the Laowa 65mm being an amazing macro lens. If you use a flash, you can get images just as sharp as the Fuji, but you also have the option of 2x magnification. Plus it's about 1/2 the size of the Fuji. I ended up returning the Laowa and my Viltrox 85mm and bought the Fuji 80mm macro so I could have one dual purpose lens to simplify my kit. But for anyone looking to add a macro lens to their kit, I can't recommend the Laowa highly enough. Super pleased with the Fuji as well.
@@k1k13004 Correct but you gaining on a focal length and when shooting macro you usually not using f2.8 due to a very shallow depth of focus. With TC 1.4 it will behave as 180 f4 which is not bad idea if you have to shoot on a distance.I pair them both with Mcex 11 or 16 when the magnification has to be larger then 1:1.
@@eagleeyephoto8715 exactly what I said "wich can be good sometimes" 80x1.4 = 112mm, equivalent to 168mm on fullframe (not f4 equivalent though) i'm not sure where you got your 180 from
As I recall from previously owning the XF 90mm f/2, back when I had an X-T1, the "clunk" is the focusing group moving about. The way Fujifilm's engineers designed those lenses with the quad linear motor systems was to have the focusing group as a floating set of elements in order to move them around more quickly. Honestly, I never shook the lens around much to even hear the sound more than every once in a while, and I can't help but think that an engineer wouldn't let that through to final production if they thought it would cause damage in the long-term. There are other lenses that do this outside the Fujifilm X-system, and even the super-telephoto zoom lenses on Samsung phones do this.
yes one quick look at the official page of this lens from fuji and you can see the motor moves around quite a bit! Good to know it moves around so much when off.. not sure I want to buy this and take on vacation now..removing from BH cart as I type this..
@@MS88nyc It's pretty much a non-issue imo. This is one of the best lens you can get for Fuji period if you do macro or a semi telephoto lens with its ridiculous autofocus speed and image sharpness. It's not something I'd ever buy for retail but you can get it used for like 500.
I currently got this lens for my X-H2 and I can tell this probably is the best macro lens I have ever had. I used Canon 100 & 180mm L macro lenses, Nikon Z 105/2.8 VR and Leica 200/2.8 on MFT (not being a macro lens, good for butterflies though with 1,4 TC). This is the best I have ever used. Handles great (unlike the tiny Laowa 65 mm, great lens though), AF is spot on, smooth manual focus unlike other Fuji lenses, just a pleasure to use.
Since this is the only 1:1 macro lens for Fuji, it's an obvious choice. The build quality is great, it's sharp and it's an excellent macro lens. If you don't shoot macro you likely won't understand its value. Most high quality lenses from all manufacturers are overpriced so this is just one in the crowd. But it's a great macro lens.
Fuji XF 90mm has the same "clunk" when the camera is turned off. It is normal behaviour for those lenses - it is AF construction with the focusing element held by electromagnetic field, or some other kind of magic, as Fujifilm explains :)
@@christopherfrost Don't know about long-term durability, but I agree on the quirkness of design - e.g. some people not accustomed to this may find the lens faulty when you want to sell it used...
@@christopherfrost It can actually be a benefit for durability long term. It's plastic housings that are touching when it 'clunks'. While these plastic elements may experience more shock than a normal lens, where there is less free space to gain speed and clunk like, for two reasons: 1) They are designed to tolerate those shocks, using materials there that are elastic and less susceptible to fatigue. 2) Even if those touching surfaces deform over time, it shouldn't affect lens alignment or motor operation, because when the magnets turn on the lens elements will float and the clunking surfaces won't interact with anything.
@@christopherfrost to be fair i’ve never heard of a single 90 or 80 lens with this focus system having any problems whatsoever and they’ve been out a while now. so i don’t have any reason to believe it’s a “horrible” design decision since Fujifilm has been building motion picture as well as military and medical grade optics deep into the six figures price tag for decades.
@@christopherfrost I bought the 80mm lens and it arrived severely chipped inside (~35% of an internal element was visibly chipped), so I sent it back the next day for a full refund. I don't think there's a practical way to protect the internal elements from being slammed around in transit.
This also has telecom better options, both 1.4x and 2.0x, which greatly increases its versatility. This is the only lens I take anymore for my landscape hiking and this works great for my macro and landscape shots I punch in on.
May I have your expert opinion please. 1.) I plan to digitize approx. 1300 slides. Slide surface is 25mm square. The closest a camera can get to the slide is 140mm. I have a full spectrum Lumecube air 400lux variable intensity 0-100 percent back light. 2.) I also want to use the camera and lens to digitize our many photo albums, take pictures of pictures. 3.) use it also as a web cam and to take 1080 and 4k video. But first and foremost the priceless family history slides. Question: what camera, macro lens and will I need an extension tube, would you recommend? hoping to stay under $1300USD. I am a newbee as you can tell. (I was thinking a Fuji X-T200 and a 7 artisan 60 mm wt extension tube? But after watching your incredible video here, I see I need expert advice. Thank you so much for your time and the way you present. I am learning a lot. Sincerely, JT
I own the lens, and I think it’s price is somewhat justified by it being slightly better in practice than full frame 100mm macro lenses, for macro photography specifically. It has more zoom and better working distance. 1:1 on aps-c is actually more close up then 1:1 on full frame. There are macro lenses for full frame with more working distance and zoom but they are enormous, and or without good autofocus you close, and not something I ever want to take with me traveling. Of course, it’s like apple, you pay a ton more for a product that is noticeably, but sometimes not mind blowingly better, but that’s what you sign up for with Fuji
"There are macro lenses for full frame with more working distance and zoom but they are enormous, and or without good autofocus" - The Canon 100mm f/2.8L is smaller, as the video mentioned, and the Sony 90mm f/2.8 is lighter. Both are pretty damn good... the Sony in particular I really enjoyed shooting. IMO, the Fuji 80mm f/2.8 is a pretty awful value but a very sharp lens. It is all there is if you want 1:1 macro on Fuji.
I have a Sigma 105 mm 2.8 DG OS HSM, Nikon attachment. I wonder if this would be an improvement (btw, I'm moving to Fuji XT5) or if I should buy an adapter and call it done.
The clunk is interesting. I have a Pentax DSLR which does that because of the IBIS. I wouldn't be too bothered by it though and it shouldn't affect reliability
I'm using XT4 and I'm planning to buy this lens. However, as you know, this kind of glass is quite expensive. Do you have any recommendation or I should save money for this ? How about 60mm f2.4 ? Is it worthy for extra bucks with 80mm f2.8 instead of 60mm f2.4 ?
I own both the 60mm and 80mm - it might sound a little silly but optics aside - discretion - in public. The 60mm let's you get away with murder for the most part. No one notices it on a xt-2. I once braved a sunny day with the 80mm, lens hood attached. Walking around with an AK-47 would've resulted in less unwanted attention. Got stopped twice asking why I was and about with such a howitzer.
ive had this lens since it came out and its fujifilms sharpest lens! and great for portraits aswel as macro,being super versatile its very reasonably priced i think.
Well we recently have around 5 of them sold for 400$ in my country. I sold mine too. Bokeh is same as 56 apd but 90mm is better focal for portraits and have much faster af speed. 80mm is more versatile in applications so I choose it over 90 in the end. Imo if you’re looking for portraits better buy used 50-140, if you need macro there’s not so many choices on fuji and I wouldn’t consider 90mm anyway
Great review Chris! Love to see more from Fujifilm. My interests for coming reviews: [Fuji XF 90mm f2], [Fuji XF 50mm f1] and [Fuji 60mm f/2.4]. It's hard to decide what to buy, because all my favorite lenses from Fuji are so expensive. As for now I only have 23mm 1.4 which I love, but looking for 50-60mm or 90mm.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that the focus ring turns around and around, with no beginning or ending. In other words, the "focus throw" is endless. I guess the only way to know when the lens is set for maximum magnification is to position the lens at its minimum focusing distance. Of course that's a bit of a guesstimate when an extension tube is added for a little more magnification. (I prefer the Fujifilm 11mm extension tube for use with the 80mm macro lens.) What's your take on the endless focus throw?
Chris, there is actually someone who may be able to answer the question as to why it is so large. I suggest asking Fujifilm themselves. Address your question to Toshihisa Iida, the new CEO of Fujifilm Europe (former imaging division Operations Manager). He seems to be a good chap - you might even get a reply!
Many Fuji users claim that the optical performance justifies the price. The reviewer mentions other options that are less expensive. That would be great. In looking, I have not found one near this FL at 1:1.
Thats what I was hoping for... In my view there is no other option. Sadly Sure you can get the 60mm Laowa 1:2 but thats not 80mm, has no AF, not WR. It's the same for Sony, Canon, ... the good macro lenses are all over 1k.
If your fine with only 50mm you can try the ZEISS Touit 2.8/50M . I use it on my Sony A6400. The lens is quite old, so be aware that the focus is not the fastest and its quite loud.
@@christopherfrost how would you compare the IQ to that of the Laowa 60mm APO f2.8? Obviously AF is nice to have but not for $800 more, especially if you use a macro rail for stacking.
@@christopherfrost Macro lenses without stabilization is not good for outdoor insect hunting, unless you use flashes (but this is a pretty old-fashioned technique from the 2000s, now with modern sensors many photographers prefer dawn light). If you go hunting in the morning in calm weather, then the insects are quite sleepy, and they allow you to shoot at relatively long exposures, so as a limiting factor they give way to hand shake. IS is really game-changer for outdoor photography.
You test modern lenses. What about testing sometimes an older lens too 🙏🏻😃? For example I use a Tokina AT-X 90 2.5 (the legendary „Bokina“) with extension tube as an 1:1 Macro instead of this XF 80mm 2.8 from Fuji. And I love it 😊.
Thanks for the great review. I have a set of extension tubes that I use with my 18-55 and 55-200 for some pretty good macro shots. Cheers and keep up the great work!
hello, would you recommend trying extension tubes (11/18/45mm) before investing in an xf 80mm macro & potentially teleconverters (1.4/2x) for even closer images? grateful for advice
@@MrAndypeet I would, extension tubes are inexpensive and are great to use for macro photos. If it turns out you don’t like Marco you haven’t invested a lot at that point.
@@PhotoGearFun thanks-very helpful advice-are they best used on 18-55 or would they allow closer images/greater magnification on my 10-24 or 55-200 lense? Thanks again
Hi Chris, thanks! With a Fringer smart adapter and a Canon EF 2.8/100mm Macro you can get similar results at a fraction of the price for this lens. This Canon Macro has served me very well for many years. Best Ralg
This lens was the reason I changed from Fuji to Canon / much besser and cheaper Macro lens, besser AF...). I didn't love the egg-bokeh of this Fuji lens at all.
Pretty incompetent lens review. Luckily everybody that own lens can see that hi has no clue about engineering or about macro lenses.The focus floating rear elements are hold by linear motors and elements are running on the ceramic bearing rail. The lens is one of the fastest Macro lenses I ever used due to speed of the linear motors.I comparing it to a Sony,Canon,Nikon, Olympus AF macro lenses and to be honest there is no other option on Fujifilm if you want AF macro 1:1 lens other then Zeiss Touit 50mm.Otherwise you can go manual route but non of the option will give you performance or options as Fujifilm does. Lens is actually cheap for what you getting.
Well both the laowa 65 and 100mm are apochromatic with 2:1 magnification. Both are as sharp if not sharper than the fuji. On other systems the voigtlanders apolanthars outshine the fuji
@eagleeyephoto8715, its not an incompetent review just because you disagree! Remember that the definition of a bigot is a person devoted to their opinion, intolerant of differing opinions, and prejudiced against certain groups. His review is only an opinion!
@SUAVE VISION TV I don't have a problem with AF on the X-T3, not sure how it performs on different cameras. Great lens optically (nearly every modern macro is) but MAN is it big, heavy, and expensive.
It is not just used for macro photography. The XF 80mm is great for for portraiture and landscape photography too or any situation where you need a 120mm equivalent lens.
